Loading Up On The Edge
April 22nd, 2021
Edge rusher Malcolm Koonce
A former Bucs draft pick and a player nobody thinks about — a guy once called “the prototype” Tampa Bay defensive end — has a Super Bowl ring and is about to enter his ninth NFL season.
Joe brings up 2013 fifth-round pick Steven Means because he came out of the University of Buffalo, the same school that produced the only guy to get a sack on Tristan Wirfs last season, Khalil Mack. It’s also where edge rusher Malcolm Koonce is coming out of in next week’s draft.
(Congrats to Means for hanging around so long playing special teams and DE; he had two forced fumbles and three sacks for the Falcons last season. His ring came with the Eagles.)
Koonce led “The MAC” in sacks last season and is a two-time all-conference player. The 6-3, 250-pound senior played every game as a true freshman and became a starter in 2019 with a breakout season of nine sacks.
He’s athletic and he has produced. Those are the types of guys who excel on special teams and often are worth a shot on Day 3 of the draft.
Joe believes the Bucs will approach this draft with a steady eye on special teams, arguably the team’s weakness (which says a lot). And remember the Bucs lost Ryan Smith and Antony Auclair, two major contributors.
No, Joe’s not lobbying for Koonce, but upon diving deep into the later rounds today, Joe’s finding a lot to like about this guy who might be there for the Bucs with the final pick of Round 5.
As regular readers know well, you’ll never hear Joe moan about drafting an edge rusher.
Enjoy today’s Ira Kaufman Podcast, presented by Bill Currie Ford.
April 22nd, 2021 at 4:31 pm
Anyone from the University of Minnesota worthy of being drafted by the Bucs this year? U of M was pretty good if not great for us last year.
April 22nd, 2021 at 4:50 pm
He would definitely be a project. Kid is fast but that is it. No pass rush technique or counters I saw in his highlights. He just ran through/around the outside shoulder of the tackle every time to the QB.
April 22nd, 2021 at 4:51 pm
Too small. Trade up to 31 and get Rousseau to harass the KC gnat in the next SB.
April 22nd, 2021 at 4:55 pm
Rousseau will go in the 2nd or 3rd round
April 22nd, 2021 at 5:02 pm
Easy people. The guy is slotted for the 5th round for a reason, but to Joe’s point he’s got development potential and could play ST.
Nice find Joe and I wouldn’t complain on him (or guys like these) in the latter rounds who MUST play STs.
April 22nd, 2021 at 5:09 pm
Rousseau doesn’t have the feet to get around and off NFL tackles blocks , IMO
April 22nd, 2021 at 5:09 pm
You can never have enough edge rushers, CBs, WRs, Ss,RBs, TEs, QBs, LBs,or in our case Kickers.
April 22nd, 2021 at 5:28 pm
I’d agree with you Joe about drafting him in Rnd 5 if he’s still there. Walter Football lists him as #15 potentially going in Rnds 3-5. Decent 40-time (4.80 secs) but supposedly still rough around the edges and his run defense needs work. Apparently didn’t do much in the Senior Bowl to help his case. Still, anyone drafted after Rnd 4 who produces is gravy in my book anyways.
April 22nd, 2021 at 5:41 pm
I am not a fan of “projects “
April 22nd, 2021 at 6:36 pm
Joe no sense in going crazy to get a top edge rusher. Shaq Barrett remember was an undrafted free agent. You have got Shaka Toney a day three pick, Patrick Jones and J. Robinson from FSU day three pick. Great pro day numbers don’t mean jack with these guys.
April 22nd, 2021 at 6:45 pm
Guys like this are why it was absolutely imperative for this team to switch over to a multi-scheme defense. You can find hybrid players deep in the draft, guys like Shaq Barrett.
April 22nd, 2021 at 6:46 pm
Joe.. I just heard Cynthia Frelund say something about really liking cox…so who cares about end rushers? LOL
Linebacker…LSU
April 22nd, 2021 at 6:53 pm
SB~LV – Careful now. Sure most do not pan out, but never say never. Remember Brady was once considered a project. In fact, Belichick said he didn’t do anything his first year for the team than any other 6th round draft pick he’d ever drafted before.
April 22nd, 2021 at 8:33 pm
@Mitch
Stay away from Las Vegas with that strategy 🥸
April 22nd, 2021 at 8:50 pm
Bucs will trade up because they cannot afford to pay all 7 draft picks. And seven draft picks won’t make the team anyway.
April 22nd, 2021 at 8:52 pm
@SB~LV – I agree. I prefer to hit on the higher stakes in the earlier three rounds than play roulette in the later ones.
April 23rd, 2021 at 12:11 am
Seems like a weak draft I don’t see them trading up for anyone
April 23rd, 2021 at 6:36 am
Joe mentioned this pick as a possibility in the 5th. Saying that you don’t want a “project” is about as dumb of a statement as one can make. Please show me a 5th round pick that isn’t a project. I’ll wait. Are you saying that you don’t want any 5th round picks?
April 23rd, 2021 at 8:41 pm
yea minnesota got a lengthy cb round 3-4 we could consider