Mario Edwards Jr. wins Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week

Oct 11, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) throws a pass under pressure by Oakland Raiders defensive end Mario Edwards Jr. (97) at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Oakland Raiders 2015 2nd-round pick Mario Edwards Jr. has won Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week for Week 10.

Remember the way everyone questioned this pick by G.M. Reggie McKenzie?

The plan was for him to develop under fellow defensive end Justin Tuck until he tore a pectoral muscle. But since Tuck’s injury in Week 5, Edwards has come in, steadily improved and it all came to a head in Week 10. He put together all his power, quickness and athleticism to look unblockable.

His performance on Sunday was only the tip of the iceberg of what this talented rookie defensive end can do. On the day, Edwards had 11 tackles, one for a loss, a sack and two quarterback hits. To show you just how great that is, 2-gap 3-4 ends are there to soak up blocks so linebackers can get to the ball.

But Edwards didn’t get the memo on that and made plays for his Raiders in a loss to the Minnesot Vikings. On the season, in five starts, Edwards has 28 tackles, a sack-and-a-half, a tackle for a loss and a pass batted down. His arrival comes at a good time since outside linebacker Aldon Smith has been suspened for a year.

The Raiders will definitely need more than one guy on their defense that can rush the passer. An interior pass-rusher and an edge-rusher are actually better than two edge-rushers. Khalil Mack is healthy now to so look forward to Edwards Jr. and Mack making noise in the NFL for the rest of his year.