With a tonne of free-agency money, the New England Patriots’ rebuild will pick up speed in 2025 because they have embraced the notion that the 2024 NFL season will be a transition year. The Pats are expected to utilise the money to sign Las Vegas Raiders edge rusher Malcolm Koonce.
Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report made the prediction. According to him, the Patriots “will have the opportunity to outbid teams for at least a few players” because they have “a large budget.”
Despite being a difficult target to define, Koonce should be on New England’s radar due to resources and opportunity. “Koonce is going to be a free agent that some teams won’t know what to do with,” Ballentine clarified. Prior to his contract year, he had a breakthrough season in 2023 but had a season-ending knee injury during practice. In the offseason, the Patriots should want to add pass-rushing talent, and Koonce might be the greatest fit in terms of age and talent.
The Patriots’ pass rush is changing; they have traded away multiple strong edge defenders and now rely on young players and astute planning to create pressure on quarterbacks.
Malcolm Koonce Fits Patriots Template for Pass Rush
Although Koonce is recovering from a knee ailment, the 26-year-old is a perfect scheme fit for the Patriots’ preferred front seven. Specifically, adaptable athletes that can win pass-rush games as traditional defensive ends, set the edge, and even play in space as outside linebackers without sacrificing flexibility.
The Patriots can play a hybrid defence and alter the front end by loading up with this physical blueprint. Koonce is worth the Patriots’ risk because an effective pass rush requires both confusion and raw power.
In 2023, the 6-foot-3, 250-pound player won an eight-sack campaign for fun. By forcing three fumbles, Koonce also shown his talent for creating spectacular plays.
When Koonce is healthy, he would be the perfect companion for rising star Keion White, even though his numbers may have been inflated by the attention teams give Raiders All-Pro Maxx Crosby. Although he is the only standout player in this season’s pass rush, schemes rather than supplementary talent are supporting him.
Patriots are Scheming Credible Pass Rush
The defence had struggled all season to put consistent pressure in the pocket, but in Week 10, they recorded nine sacks against the Chicago Bears. According to Patriots.com Staff Writer Evan Lazar, the endeavour necessitated a complex sub-package named “Longhorn,” which was centred around special teams star Brenden Schooler spying on Williams.
Although the strategy was successful at Soldier Field, the Patriots must rely more on individual players to prevail in pass-rush situations. Few players on this Patriots defence are destroying blocking schemes, but White, who has five quarterback takedowns this season, can be relied upon to do so.
The rot began with the decision to trade four-time Pro Bowler Matthew Judon, which sparked a talent exodus. Josh Uche’s trade to the Kansas City Chiefs cost the Patriots another talented pass rusher.
A seasoned newcomer might fill the void, but it would only be a temporary solution. The Patriots need a long-term fix, which free agency should provide as the organisation estimated by Spotrac.com that it would have $137,215,621 left over from next year’s salary ceiling.
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