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Maxx Crosby Has High Praise for Malcolm Koonce

Originally posted on FanNation Raider Maven
By Carter Landis | Last updated 12/24/23

Las Vegas Raiders’ third-year defensive end Malcolm Koonce has come on strong in 2023 and is improving each week.

The Raiders had high hopes for Koonce when they selected him in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft out of Buffalo, and he has started to put it together this season.

In 2023, Koonce has posted a career-high 32 total tackles, three tackles for loss, 12 quarterback hits, three forced fumbles, and four sacks. He had a breakout performance on Thursday Night Football against the Los Angeles Chargers, forcing two fumbles and recording two sacks.

Koonce’s performance earned him “Dawg of the Day,” a recognition given by Raiders star defensive end Maxx Crosby on his podcast, The Rush with Maxx Crosby, to a player who turned in an impressive and relentless performance.

“When he came in, he was super talented,” said Crosby. “You could see his athleticism, his bend, everything like that, and you just see the evolution of his game and the confidence he’s starting to gain on a weekly basis. It’s no surprise that he’s taken the steps he’s taken because he puts in the work. For a guy like that, it just gets me fired up because the more guys you can have around you like that that are hungry as f— and want to be great and want to take that next step as a player, the better your team is going to be.”

Crosby also spoke about Koonce’s continued growth and what it has meant to their team.

“I’m proud of Malcolm, bro,” he said. “He’s a stud. He’s only going to get better. This is just the beginning for him. Ever since he got in the league, he was fighting for that playing time, but when he was playing, he would always produce. Now, you just see him get more and more reps, and he’s making more and more plays. I’m not surprised at all, but I expect him to continue his evolution as a player as the years go by and the days go by because he’s going to be a big part of what we have going on moving forward.”

Koonce’s development has provided the Raiders with another reliable pass rusher who can take the pressure off of Crosby. As both he and Tyree Wilson develop, the Raiders will have multiple edge rushers offensive linemen must account for in the future.

The entire podcast episode can be found here.

The Silver and Black will return to action versus their AFC West rivals, the Kansas City Chiefs, on Christmas Day at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. Don't miss it on Monday, December 25, at 1 p.m. EST/10 a.m. PST.

This article first appeared on FanNation Raider Maven and was syndicated with permission.

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