Raider Nation had their hearts broken when news of Malcolm Koonce hitting the Injured Reserves list broke on Saturday. Koonce, a third-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, headed into the 2024 season as Maxx Crosby’s counterpart off the edge. The Las Vegas Raiders must now find an answer elsewhere.
Edge rusher Malcolm Koonce has been a disruptive force since his very first season in Sin City. As a rookie, Koonce posted the highest win percentage in the National Football League (25%) among edge rushers who totaled at least 25 pass-rush snaps. He tallied a pair of sacks on the year as a result.
2022 was more of a struggle for Koonce, posting a 6.5% win rate on 48 pass-rush snaps, but 2023 welcomed the same Malcolm Koonce who caused so much havoc as a rookie in limited time.
This past season, Koonce beat his opposition 14.2% of the time on 344 opportunities. His 78.9 pass-rush grade via Pro Football Focus was the 21st-highest among all edge rushers with triple-digit pass-rush snaps, sacking opposing quarterbacks on eight occasions.
It was a magical season for the Buffalo alum, paving the way for a starting job on the Las Vegas Raiders’ starting defense–something Koonce will have to wait at least four weeks to be a part of thanks to a knee injury he suffered during practice earlier in the week.
While this development is certainly unfortunate, there’s no time for the Silver and Black to dwell on it; it’s ‘next man up’ as the Raiders head to Los Angeles to face off against the Chargers in Week 1. In preparation of Koonce’s unavailability, preseason standout Charles Snowden was called up to the Raiders’ 53-man roster.
Tyree Wilson and Janarius Robinson join Snowden and Crosby at the edge position.
Las Vegas Raiders: Preparing for life without Malcolm Koonce
Charles Snowden and Janarius Robinson were stars for the Raiders during preseason, earning the two highest pass-rush grades (67.8, 66.8) among all nine edge rushers to play a snap for Las Vegas this preseason. Tyree Wilson, on the other hand, earned the lowest pass-rushing grade of all nine (52.1).
No defender for the Raiders totaled more pressures than Janarius Robinson through preseason (7). Robinson bested his matchup 16.3% of the time, although neither he nor any edge rusher on the team was able to record a sack through three contests – aside from Charles Snowden, who earned the unit’s lone sack.
In addition to taking the opposing quarterback down once, Snowden batted two passes down at the line of scrimmage; more than any Raiders’ defender. Snowden beat his opposition on 6.7% of his pass-rush snaps.
Both Robinson and Snowden showcased their pass-rushing prowess throughout the preseason. Wilson was unable to do the same.
The 2023 first-round pick totaled two pressures on 27 pass rushes, triumphing over his blocker only 3.7% of the time. Not only was Wilson’s 52.1 grade on pass rushes the lowest on the team among all edge rushers through preseason, but it stood as the lowest among all 24 defenders in the front-seven to play any amount of snaps for Sin City.
Ouch.
If the Raiders want immediate results, Snowden and Robinson are the only options to replace Koonce.
Investing in potential
Although it was far from an ideal preseason showing from Tyree Wilson, there’s still plenty of reason to keep rolling with the second-year defensive lineman.
It’s the intangibles–Wilson is able to do what other pass-rushers dream of.
The 24-year-old’s 86-inch wingspan is just one example. For reference, the 6-foot-6 Charles Snowden possesses a 82 1/4″ wingspan while both Malcolm Koonce and Maxx Crosby measure in at 81 inches.
Janarius Robinson also shares Wilson’s incredible 86-inch wingspan. In addition, Robinson’s 10 7/8″ hand-size stands superior to Wilson’s 9 5/8″; two built-in-a-lab specimens.
Between Snowden, Wilson and Robinson, the latter offers the best blend of immediate results and potential – by far. However, there’s still a reason to invest in Wilson over the other two: power, and versatility.
Wilson is able to use every bit of his 275-pound body to push blockers back and close pockets. This ability allows the Texas Tech alum to line up anywhere on the defensive line and make plays happen.
And, although Wilson prefers to dominate with strength and leverage, he’s shown the ability to bend around the edge.
Tyree Wilson has all the tools to dominate on the field, but will he ever put those tools together?
Another season with Maxx Crosby mentoring the second-year Raiders defender may be exactly what the doctor ordered. Wilson has owned up to his poor play thus far and knows he needs to improve–he has the drive to keep working on his game, too.
However, another lackluster season may spell the end of his time in Sin City.
Wilson is a blank canvas who has all the brushes to paint a beautiful picture. Hopefully that canvas doesn’t stay blank much longer.
If the Raiders prefer to invest in potential, Wilson or Robinson should be the options.
*Top Photo: NBC Sports
No Time Like The Present For Raiders’ Prized ’23 First Rounder Tyree Wilson