Malcolm Koonce 2021 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Name: Malcolm Koonce

College: Buffalo

Height: 6’2”

Weight: 249

Overall Rank: No. 81 overall

Position Rank: EDGE13

Strengths: An effort player who wins with hustle but also has NFL caliber athleticism, Koonce is an exciting player in space who can crash the edge with quickness and twitch. A natural stand-up rusher, Koonce is at his best in a role that will be similar to a 3-4 outside linebacker or stand-up 4-3 end. He uses his length well and has the motor to make second-effort plays. The best asset here is his combination of first-step quickness and length, which can make life difficult for offensive tackles who are trying to play catch up with him.

Weaknesses: Koonce is undersized in terms of height and bulk, which leaves him ill-equipped to handle the edge on rushing downs in the NFL. He doesn’t have the hand use or upper-body power to disengage from blockers once they get their hands on him. He hasn’t played against many NFL-caliber blockers at the college level and must adjust to the power and technique combination he’ll see on Sundays.

What I Love: Koonce’s first step is dangerously good and launched him to five sacks in just six games (due to Covid) in 2020. That quickness is good enough for him to win the pros, too. Especially in a limited situational role early on.

NFL Comparison: Alex Highsmith

Grade: 79/100

Position Specific Traits:
(key: +, ++, +++ positive scale | -, - -, - - - negative scale)

Athletic Ability: ++

Pass Rush Power: +

Pass Rush Speed: ++

Run Support: - -

Speed/Burst: ++

Strength: -