Malcolm Koonce is entering his third season in the National Football League. By all accounts, much has been expected from Koonce, but expectations were rightfully tempered as the young defensive end had two coaching staffs in his first two seasons in the NFL.
Multiple coaching staffs or not, most young players are expected to take a significant step forward in either their second or third year in the NFL, depending on their respective situations. That is precisely where Koonce found himself as the season began.
Fortunately for Koonce, he has risen to the occasion as much as he reasonably could, and he continues to show the ability to learn and grow as a football player. Josh McDaniels and the Raiders showed confidence in Koonce during the offseason, and while the Raiders are 1-2, Koonce has done his part to help keep the Raiders' defense afloat.
Through three games, Koonce ranks sixth amongst all edge rushers in the NFL in pass rush win rate percentage, at almost 22%. For perspective, Maxx Crosby ranks ninth in that category at just over 21%.
Sunday against Pittsburgh, Koonce had four pressures and had almost a 36% win rate while pass rushing. The third-year defensive end has shown decent progress from year two to year three.
Against Pittsburgh, the Raiders defense had 19 pressures on quarterback Kenny Pickett. Crosby accounted for nine of the pressures, and Koonce accounted for another four. There isn't much more you can ask for from defensive ends starting opposite of one another.
Thirteen of the Raiders' 19 pressures on Sunday came between Crosby and Koonce, respectively, and the Raiders' defense has yet to meet its full potential. Like many of the young players on Las Vegas' roster, Koonce has needed time to grow into his position as a dependable starter in the NFL.
The Raiders know precisely what they have in Maxx Crosby. However, the only thing better than one good defensive end is two defensive ends that complement each other. So far, the Raiders potentially have a defensive end that can lock down the other side of the defensive line opposite Crosby.
The Silver and Black return to the road next week in Inglewood, Calif., to play the Los Angeles Chargers (1-2) on Sunday, Oct. 1, at 4:05 p.m. EDT/1:05 p.m. PDT.
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