The New Orleans Saints signed free agent defensive lineman Mario Edwards Jr. to a two-year contract, adding a nice depth pass rusher lately of the New York Giants. Edwards is an interesting prospect that the Saints should put to good use in designing game plans to attack opposing defensive lines, given his athleticism and versatility. Here’s five facts about the newest Saint:
5. Defensive end? Defensive tackle? Edwards can do it all
Depending on the roster you check, Edwards will be listed as either a defensive end, a defensive tackle, or just a defensive lineman. That’s because he’s found ways to win at each of those positions in his NFL career, lining up at defensive end in the Raiders’ 3-4 defense and moving to defensive tackle in the Giants’ 4-3 look. Whether he’s rushing against a left tackle’s outside shoulder or shooting the gap between center and guard, Edwards is something of a mismatch along the line.
4. The Raiders drafted Edwards at 35 overall in 2015
Edwards started for two years at Florida State after working his way into the rotation as a freshman behind other future draft picks like Brandon Jenkins and Cornellius Carradine. He recorded 23 tackles for loss and eight sacks in his career with the Seminoles, chipping in six turnovers (three forced fumbles, two recovered fumbles, and an interception). He showed enough upside to be picked with the third pick of the second round in the 2015 NFL Draft.
3. Early-career injuries limited Edwards’ production
Edwards ended his rookie year on injured reserve with a hip issue, which lingered into the 2016 season. He came along quickly, but not fast enough for new Raiders head coach Jon Gruden. Edwards was waived before the 2018 season and was immediately picked up by the Giants. Between his last year with Oakland his first year in New York, Edwards logged 5.5 of his 7.5 career sacks, and 14 of his 20 career quarterback hits. He’s an ascending player.
2. Drew Brees’ career overlaps Edwards Jr. and Edwards Sr.
Mario Edwards Sr. was drafted in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft, a year before Drew Brees. He played five years in the NFL for the Cowboys, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Miami Dolphins. His son, Edwards Jr., now joins Brees on the Saints and helps illustrate just how remarkable the quarterback’s career is — lasting so long that both father and son have entered the NFL during his tenure.
1. Edwards won the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine
Edwards tested like an elite athlete at the combine, and it shows in his on-field performance with nice burst and surprising leaping ability. He tipped the scales at 6-foot-3, 279 pounds at the combine and then crushed his workouts, timing the 40-yard dash in 4.84 seconds and the three-cone drill in 4.55 seconds. He leaped 120 inches broad and 32 1/2 inches vertically. He cranked out 32 bench press reps for good measure. It’s clear that takes his strength and conditioning regimen seriously.
