Built Through the Draft: Oakland Raiders

6 of 8

Dec 13, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Brock Osweiler (17) throws a pass under pressure from Oakland Raiders defensive end Mario Jr. Edwards (97) during an NFL football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Raiders defeated the Broncos 15-12. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

2015: Mario Edwards Jr.

In the 2015, NFL, Draft, the Raiders selected DE Mario Edwards Jr. to the bewilderment of many. The top high school recruit didn’t statistically have the career that he was expected to have. But at the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine, he lost 30 pounds and showed he is a freak athlete.

At 6’3″, 280 pounds with 33 1/4-inch long arms, he ran a 4.84 40, repped 225 32 times, and posted a 32 1/2-inch vertical leap. Not that he’s as good but those numbers are comparable to J.J. Watt. They showed how much of a freak athlete he is and that he could be disruptive in the NFL.

And when he got to Oakland, after a slow start, disruptive is exactly what he became. He was a tough as the come against the run and provided the interior pass-rush the Raiders needed. From Week 7-14, Edwards did rack up sacks but he had to be double-teamed, got his pressures and gave opposing QB nowhere to step up.

In those eight games, Mack took advantage of one-on-one blocking on the edge for 12 sacks. He did have a sack in the last two games in which Edwards missed due to a knee injury. Edwards is back from his neck injury and should make that jump to Year 2 and become a star, making his numbers and Mack’s better.

Next: 2015: Clive Walford

Home/Las Vegas Raiders