Thanks to a strong defensive line, the Las Vegas Raiders defense may be in for a very successful 2024. The group is led by defensive end Maxx Crosby and defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, but there is excellent depth as well.
Malcolm Koonce is arguably the third-best defensive lineman; he led the team in sacks with 8.0 in the previous campaign. But his contract is about to expire, and Tyree Wilson, a former No. 7 pick, is waiting in the wings for the Raiders.
This season, Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox said that the Raiders consider trading for fourth-year defensive end Wilson if they see improvement from him and decide not to pay Koonce.
Knox stated in a blog published on July 1 that “the Raiders certainly aren’t offering up Crosby in a trade, and Koonce is entering the final year of his rookie deal.” “Las Vegas may lose him in free agency in 2025 even if there isn’t an extension or franchise tag. The Raiders would have to at least take that into consideration if moving him now could enhance another position of need.
“And while the defense would suffer with Koonce gone, Tyree Wilson, a 2023 first-round choice, might have more opportunities as a result. Wilson only played 44% of the defensive snaps in his debut season, yet he still managed to record 3.5 sacks and 11 QB pressures.
Koonce had a total of 2.0 sacks in his first two seasons, despite his excellent play in the previous season. Teams would probably have to give up a lot in a trade for him. Allowing him to play a few games and accumulate sacks will make more sense if the Raiders want to deal him and show opposing clubs that 2023 wasn’t an anomaly.
Adam Butler Is Listed as a Trade Prospect as Well
Knox named a number of defensive linemen as potential trade candidates, not just Koonce. Additionally, he hinted that defensive tackle Adam Butler might be traded by the organization.
“But Butler might theoretically bring a strong return if another team finds itself desperate for help on the defensive interior,” Knox wrote. “The 30-year-old has never started on a regular basis, but in the NFL, defensive linemen with the ability to pressure the quarterback are always in high demand.
Butler has demonstrated his ability to create internal pressure. Over his six seasons with the Raiders, Dolphins, and Patriots, he has averaged slightly more than 3.5 sacks per season.
Butler is more of a depth player because he didn’t start any games the previous campaign. The Raiders will be able to distribute even fewer snaps after adding Wilkins.
Why Give Up DL Depth?
It doesn’t make sense to trade anyone at this time, even though the Raiders could be able to get some value out of the depth of their defensive line. Koonce might still be a developing talent. As a rookie, Wilson didn’t demonstrate enough to make the Raiders part with a player who has the potential to be a Pro Bowler.
Although Butler was 30 years old last season, he did had 5.0 sacks. The most the team could hope to acquire for him is a fifth-round pick. The Raiders’ poor start to the season is the only explanation for why they would begin liquidating assets. At such moment, it could be wiser to increase the team’s draft capital and improve their prospects going forward.
Lirigzon Gashi