Oakland Raiders Draft Mario Edwards: JBB Staff Reaction

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Jan 6, 2014; Pasadena, CA, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive end Mario Edwards Jr. (15) tries to sack Auburn Tigers quarterback Nick Marshall (14) during the first half of the 2014 BCS National Championship game at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

After going wide receiver on Thursday, the expected move was made in the second round as the Oakland Raiders went with a pass rusher. However it wasn’t a name on the radar going into Friday night, Mario Edwards Jr. of Florida State landing to the Silver and Black with the 35th pick.

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With Raider Nation in shock, the Just Blog Baby staff gave their instant reaction. As always these our unfiltered thoughts from our staff writers just minutes after it was announced Edwards was on his way to Oakland.

Matt Lorsch (Staff Writer)

My initial reaction is that Edwards is a reach at #35. He’s not a particularly special athlete like Preston Smith or Owamagbe Odighizuwa, though he does have the versatility to play a 5/7 tech end as well as 3 tech tackle. But he’s a strong, powerful lineman who can make plays in the run game, so I’ll take it.

Also, I like to remember that I haven’t spent anywhere near the same amount of time evaluating these players as the Raiders staff has. Reggie McKenzie has shown that he knows how to find talent with every draft pick, so I trust him.

That said, we could have had Leonard Williams and taken someone like Jaelen Strong, Devin Smith, Funchess or DGB here. The Raiders went receiver first and this is where we are at with a player who may not be as elite as the receivers available here were at pick #35.

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