10. Mario Edwards Jr.
When defensive end Mario Edwards Jr. was selected early in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft, very few expected him to quickly become one of the best players on the Raiders defense. Actually, most felt that Edwards was a reach after a disappointing senior season after winning the National Championship with Florida State the year before and had low expectations for his rookie season in Oakland.
Those concerns that Edwards was a reach were quickly put to rest as after Justin Tuck went down to a season-ending injury, Edwards quickly replaced the veteran Tuck as the Raiders compliment to Khalil Mack. Forcing three fumbles and finishing his rookie year with 33 solo tackles along with two sacks.
Edwards is entering training camp with concerns surrounding a serious neck injury that was suffered late in 2015 after a devastating block from Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy. With rumblings that the injury could be career-threatening, the Raiders will be cautious with Edwards this summer even if it looks like things should be fine and Edwards will be able to continue to prove the doubters wrong as an emerging star pass rusher.
– Chase Ruttig