Free Agency begins on March 12th with many teams looking for EDGE rushers to improve their pass rush ahead of the 2025 season. The Super Bowl was a prime example of how a dominant pass rush can slow down some of the league’s best quarterbacks. This offseason some of the most coveted players available include Josh Sweat and Khalil Mack in free agency while Myles Garrett looks like he is on his way out in Cleveland. All three of these players will command well over $20 million per season or significant draft capital to acquire this offseason.
Outside of those three players that are available, there is one player who is flying under the radar in free agency. That player is Malcolm Koonce from the Las Vegas Raiders. Koonce is 6’3 and 250 pounds entering free agency at 26 years old. He lost all of 2024 to a season-ending knee injury after a breakout 2023 season. Throughout this article, I will break down why Koonce is flying under the radar and the potential impact he can have on the right team.
Malcolm Koonce’s 2023 Dominance
Malcolm Koonce proved to be a great pass rusher in 2023, finishing with an impressive 78.9 PFF pass-rush grade, ranking 24th among 197 edge rushers. He consistently pressured opposing quarterbacks, racking up 8 sacks, 17 QB hits, and 34 total pressures while posting a strong 15.4% pressure rate. His 2023 season was highlighted by his three-sack performance against the Chiefs leading to a victory on Christmas. His ability to win off the edge played a key role in providing a pass rush opposite of Maxx Crosby. Some pass rushers struggle to stop the run, but not Koonce.
He finished with 27 run stops and a 66.3 run defense grade, ranking 66th among edge rushers. He totaled 51 tackles on the season, showing his ability to disengage from blockers and limit gains in the ground game. While his primary strength was in rushing the passer, his ability to play the run effectively made him a true every-down player, capable of staying on the field in all situations. His performance in 2023 netted him an 81.3 PFF grade which ranked 24th of 197 qualified edge rushers.
Why is He Flying Under the Radar?
After a breakout campaign, Koonce suffered a season-ending knee injury before the Raiders opening game against the Los Angeles Chargers. He is fully expected to return by the opening day of the 2025 season but there is no guarantee he plays as well as he did in 2023. Before his breakout season, he only recorded two sacks in his first two seasons while never logging more than 14% of snaps. Koonce will have to prove that he is fully recovered from his injury while showing that his only season as a full starter is what to expect from him in the next few seasons.
Contract Projection
Spotrac projects an average annual salary of $20 million per year for two years resulting in a $40 million contract. This would put Koonce as the 13th highest-paid EDGE rusher in the NFL right behind Joey Bosa and ahead of Von Miller. This number may seem high but we saw last year players like Jonathan Greenard ($19m APY) and Bryce Huff ($17m APY) cash in on multi-year deals after a breakout campaign. Ultimately, I think Koonce could land a little below Spotrac’s projection on a one-year prove-it deal. He will be 27 when he hits free agency again in 2026 and would be able to cash in on a bigger contract if he performs like he did in 2023.
Potential Suitors
Koonce’s market will be hot as soon as the legal tampering period begins for free agency as teams try to gauge his current value. If he is seeking a one-year prove-it deal to earn more money in 2026, here are some teams that would be great fits
Buffalo Bills
Kansas City Chiefs
Philadelphia Eagles
Detroit Lions
If Koonce were to seek out a multiyear contract, some teams would be more willing to commit money long-term to the 26-year-old but still could settle for a shorter contract.
Tennessee Titans
Arizona Cardinals
Washington Commanders
Los Angeles Chargers
Las Vegas Raiders
Chicago Bears
Despite already mentioning 10 teams, I believe there will be more teams in on him this offseason that I failed to mention on this list.
Free Agency Overview
While Koonce’s 2024 season was derailed by injury, his impressive 2023 performance and the buzz surrounding his skill set suggest that he’ll be in high demand this offseason. He will be heavily pursued this offseason because of his ability to excel both against the run and rushing the passer while only being 26 years old. Whether he secures a long-term deal or opts for a prove-it contract to reestablish his value, Koonce has a strong chance to become one of the most impactful signings in free agency.
Team Prediction: Detroit Lions
Contract Prediction: 1 Year $15 Million
Reasoning: The Detroit Lions have been desperate to add an EDGE rusher opposite of Aidan Hutchinson for multiple seasons now and will once again be in the market for one this offseason. The Lions have $51,000,000 in cap space and have been in on Myles Garrett this offseason. If they swing and miss with Garrett, adding Koonce should be their fallback plan to pair Hutchinson with another good EDGE.