Cleveland Browns: Defensive tackle options after Preseason Week 1
By Randy Gurzi
Mario Edwards, Jr. — Oakland Raiders
This one may not be as easy as signing a contract, but there could be a chance the Oakland Raiders are ready to move on from one of their defensive linemen. Originally drafted in the second-round to play defensive end, Mario Edwards, Jr. has slid inside for the Oakland Raiders. The problem is, he wasn’t drafted by this current head coach.
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Jon Gruden has come in this offseason and decided to shake things up. He spent a day two pick on P.J. Hall, who looks to be in line to start at one of the interior line spots. They also used a pick on Maurice Hurst, who despite being a fifth-round pick has plenty of upside and could be a steal for them.
After recording 42 tackles and a couple sacks as a rookie in 2015, Edwards then missed 14 games in 2016 with a hip injury. He returned in 2017 and was able to rack up 27 combined tackles with 3.5 sacks.
Edwards is much smaller than the aforementioned Sims, weighing in at just 280-pounds. What he could bring though is a versatile player that can perform at both defensive end and defensive tackle. He would also contribute some in the pass rush up the middle.
Again, it’s no guarantee that Oakland would want to part with Edwards, but with the youth around him stepping up, he could be an option.