Could Malcolm Koonce Be the Answer to the Lions’ Pass Rush?
The Detroit Lions are in the market for help on the edge, but with several key players due for contract extensions, they may not be willing to break the bank on a high-priced pass rusher. Instead, general manager Brad Holmes could target a more affordable option—one with upside but also some risk.
Enter Malcolm Koonce, a soon-to-be free agent from the Las Vegas Raiders. The 27-year-old defensive end had a breakout 2023 season, recording eight sacks—including three against Patrick Mahomes in the Raiders’ Christmas Day upset of the Chiefs. However, a knee injury sidelined him for the entire 2024 season, which could lower his price tag in free agency.
Why Koonce Makes Sense for Detroit
Since Aidan Hutchinson’s arrival in 2022, the Lions have struggled to find a consistent edge rusher to play opposite him. Koonce, a former third-round pick out of Buffalo, worked alongside Maxx Crosby in Las Vegas and proved he could generate pressure late in the 2023 season. If healthy, he could be a sneaky-good addition to Detroit’s defensive front.
Other teams, including the Buccaneers, Cardinals, and Packers, may also have interest in Koonce. But given Holmes’ track record of taking calculated risks on players coming off injuries, this could be the kind of move that fits the Lions’ offseason strategy.
Lions Need Pass Rush Help—This Free Agent DE Could Be the Answer
