The ascension of Malcolm Koonce was one of the best storylines during the Las Vegas Raiders 2023 season. After barely getting any playing time during his first two seasons with the Raiders ? under 120 snaps in both years combined ? Koonce finally got a bigger opportunity with 11 starts and made the most of it.

Coming into last fall, the 2021 third-round pick only had two sacks, 12 total tackles and six pressures, per Pro Football Focus , during his first couple of years in the NFL. Last season alone he exploded for career highs in every statistical category with 43 tackles, eight sacks and 52 pressures. The latter ranked 31st among edge rushers during the regular season, via PFF , and only two players in the top 30 had fewer pass-rush snaps than he did.

With Chandler Jones’ off-the-field issues, the Raiders needed someone to step up on the other side of Maxx Crosby and Koonce answered the call.

Now that OTAs are underway and the 2024 campaign is on the horizon, the soon-to-be 26-year-old is in a situation that he’s never been in during his professional career as an established player and starter on the roster. That comes with more responsibility, especially as a leader, which he seems to be embracing so far.

“Two weeks ago we were doing drills during the phase two process, and I was in the back of the D-line group, and I just saw him coaching up one of the younger players,” defensive coordinator Patrick Graham responded when asked about Koonce’s growth after the May 21 practice session. “And I mean, coaching them up with authority, ‘It’s like this, do that.’

“Once you see that, that’s showing command of his craft. And when you hear that, just again, I tell you guys all the time as a teacher who happens to teach football, I mean I was just proud. I was just giddy. I don’t know if a defensive coordinator should use the term giddy, but I was giddy. I mean just to see him do that.”

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Of course, it’s very early in the process as it’s still the offseason but the pass-rusher has clearly made a strong impression on his coach. Graham continued to sing Koonce’s praises, stating that the fourth-year pro is mastering his craft.

“So, now you’re seeing a young man developing true mastery of his craft where he’s able to go ahead and coach others up with authority,” the defensive play-caller continued. “I was impressed. It’s just the confidence he has right now.”

Koonce is scheduled to enter the last year of his rookie contract and will make just under $1.6 million this season, according to Over The Cap . Especially in today’s NFL, that’s an absolute bargain for a productive pass-rusher. However, he may be in store for a raise and a contract extension soon.

OTC currently has the Raiders 14th in the NFL with about $18.4 million of cap space available and that’s with the entire rookie class under contract. Also, the club will have even more funds at its disposal after Jimmy Garoppolo’s contract comes off the books after June 1.

Once the calendar turns, presumptively, Las Vegas will begin extending players heading into contract years. If he’s not the organization’s first priority, Koonce figures to be toward the top of the list especially now that he’s stepping into a leadership role and has made a strong impression on the coaching staff.

A good ballpark range for what the Buffalo product’s extension might look like could be what the Washington Commanders gave Dorance Armstong Jr. and the Philadelphia Eagles inked Bryce Huff to earlier this offseason. Armstrong signed a three-year, $33 million ($11 million per year) contract while Huff got three years and $51.1 million (about $17 million per year).