The Las Vegas Raiders certainly added to the wideout group on Friday, and here is a look at Bryan Edwards, and how he fits in with the Silver and Black.
Are you beginning to notice a trend in this years draft? The Las Vegas Raiders went into the 2020 NFL Draft looking to get better at wide receiver, and they did so in a big way with two of their three third round picks.
Getting quarterback Derek Carr help on offense has been a major emphasis thus far with the addition of wideout Henry Ruggs III, a versatile offensive weapon in Lynn Bowden Jr, and now with their second pick in round three, wide receiver Bryan Edwards. All three guys bring a different skill set to the Raiders roster, and with their additions, Carr has what he needs to dominate in 2020.
The Raiders offense will have a completely different look in 2020 and won’t have a shortage of options. I like what they have done in building a supporting cast around Carr, and now there is no longer an issue in terms of a lack of weapons. Heading into next season, the pressure will be on Carr to deliver the goods this season.
Let’s find out more about Bryan Edwards and see how he will fit in with the Raiders offense.
Who is Bryan Edwards?
Bryan Edwards hails from Conway, South Carolina and was the No. 3 recruit out of the State of South Carolina. He received offers from Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Clemson, and South Carolina to name a few. He decided to stay in state an attend South Carolina.
A four-year starter for the Gamecocks, in his sophomore year he was named the Steve Spurrier award winner, given to the team’s offensive Most Valuable Player. Throughout his career, he was highly-productive, catching 234 passes for 3,045 yards and 22 touchdowns in 48 career games.
His best season came in 2018 where he had a career high 846 yards and 7 touchdowns.
Edwards is well built at 6-foot-3 inches, 212 pounds and will be a great compliment to Henry Ruggs III. He has the ability to play above the rim and elevate to come down with high throws or 50-50 balls. His play strength and physicality allows him to get off press coverage and quickly into his routes.
During the NFL Network broadcast, draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah said he believes Edwards would have went in the second round of the draft had he been healthy throughout the process. There are some concerns however, one of those being drops, and the other health.
Edwards will need to clean up his game before he can earn the trust of Derek Carr. As far as the injuries are concerned, he has a small history. In 2015 he suffered a meniscus tear in his right knee, in 2019 he missed the final two games with an knee injury, and most recently suffered a broken foot while training and missed the combine.
Overall, Edwards has some very good tools including his physicality which should give him a chance to be a contributor for the Raiders.
How he fits with the Las Vegas Raiders
At South Carolina , Edwards was used effectively in the slant and screen game, on short crossers, and down field throws due to his physical nature and ball skills. I expect that to be a part of the way Gruden uses him as well in the pros.
With the Raiders, he will compete with Tyrell Williams for the X receiver position on the outside. I think he will be used best with the Raiders on throws over the middle where he can make catches in traffic and on jump balls, where he can dominant smaller defenders with his size and physical nature.
Edwards, like Lynn Bowden Jr., the man selected before him, is very good with the ball in his hands, running in the open field, and is a load to take down. Early in his career he could become a top option in the red zone on fade routes, similar to how Michael Crabtree was used.
If he can stay healthy, I can envision him really giving Tyrell Williams a run for his money for reps on the outside.