The Las Vegas Raiders are set to return to action in Week 9 after enjoying their bye week in Week 8, and while they aren’t exactly hoping to be a playoff contender this season, their upcoming game against the Jacksonville Jaguars could be very important in determining what they end up doing ahead of the upcoming trade deadline.
With a 2-5 record, the Raiders have been one of the worst teams in the league this year, and it seems like a full-scale rebuild is on the horizon. As a result, that could lead them to be sellers ahead of the deadline, as they have several players who are drawing interest on the trade market. One of them is defensive end Malcolm Koonce, as reports indicate one NFC team in particular could make a big push for him.
Cowboys Showing Interest in Potential Malcolm Koonce Trade
Koonce isn’t necessarily the first player teams are looking at when they check out the Raiders’ roster, but he could serve as a valuable edge rusher for playoff-contending squads. After missing the entire 2024 campaign with a knee injury, Koonce has looked solid in his return this season, racking up 17 tackles, one sack, and one fumble forced through seven games.
One team that could use some help along its defensive line is the Dallas Cowboys. After pulling off a mind-boggling trade that sent Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers right before the start of the season, the Cowboys have unsurprisingly struggled to find a proper replacement for him. With the trade deadline approaching, they are expected to make a move to bring in some defensive line help.
Guys like Jaelan Phillips, Bradley Chubb, and Arden Key have quickly emerged as more popular trade targets, but Koonce is an intriguing target who isn’t drawing as much interest. And yet, as he showed in 2023 when he tallied eight sacks, he can be a game-changer on the defensive line. With that in mind, Dallas is poking around to see if Las Vegas would be willing to trade him.
“(The Cowboys) are in the market for a pass rusher, sources say,” Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported. “Arden Key, the Dolphins’ Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb, and the Raiders’ Malcolm Koonce are among the edge rushers who could be traded.”
Should the Raiders Trade Malcolm Koonce?
GettyMalcolm Koonce #51 of the Las Vegas Raiders looks on during the NFL Preseason 2025 game between Las Vegas Raiders and Seattle Seahawks.
Koonce has only started one game for the Raiders this season, and while the team is being cautious with him, considering the fact that he is coming back from a serious knee injury, it appears as if he isn’t exactly essential to their defense. Now that he’s proven he is back and fully healthy, this could be the perfect time for the team to capitalize on his value on the trade market.
The Cowboys desperately need pass rush help on defense, and they could be willing to pay a pretty penny for a guy like Koonce. With some of the other aforementioned options being more expensive, Koonce could be a cheaper target for teams to pivot to. The Raiders’ trade deadline strategy could ultimately be determined by what happens in Week 9, which makes their upcoming contest against the Jaguars well worth watching.
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