Oakland Raiders youngsters need to step up now

September 20, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders defensive end Mario Jr. Edwards (97) during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at O.co Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Ravens 37-33. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Mario Edwards Jr. 

Many were up-in-arms when the Raiders took Mario Edwards Jr. in the second round back in May. But along with Walford, Edwards is the youngster I feel the best about stepping up. He lost 30 pounds since his days at Florida State and looks like an entirely different animal these days.

I didn’t look like was going to play a whole lot this year at first because he was sitting behind Justin Tuck. But since the Raiders have switched their base defense to a 3-4, Edwards may outplay Tuck as a 3-4 end as that’s what he played in college. He’s off to a good start as he had his first NFL sack along with six tackles filling in for him against the Broncos.

The former No. 1 high school recruit has all the talent in the world and is in the best shape of his life. And in front of him is the opportunity to become an instant star and step up for the Raiders. This would make the Raiders’ front-7 scary, he just has to keep his play at he same level it was against he Broncos.

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