I also think we should be talking about Mario Edwards a little more than we are. Again, unproductive in terms of sacks but he's not really used as an out and out pass rusher by FSU and he's only a junior but whilst he doesn't have the length BB normally likes for his EDGE players, Edwards fits the Patriots really well in other areas. He's got very good COD quickness for his size (fluctuates between 270-300b), the athleticism to drop into a short zone coverage, FSU has lined this 300lber at OLB at times, and he has the versatility to play at the 3,5 and 7 techs.
CBS currently have him as a mid-second rounder. If that's where he's graded on draft day, should he declare, I can definitely see him as the type of prospect that BB trades back out of the first for. He fits that prototype as a prospect with mainly first round abilities but falls for some reason - in Edwards' case, a lack of pass rush productivity. I can easily see Edwards as the new Nink.
How do you think Edwards compares to Marcus Hardison?
A DE to mirror Chandler Jones and eventually succeed Ninkovich would be very high on my wish list. I think Nink and Ayers can provide great rotational depth. But ideally I'd love to get another guy who has the following capabilities:
1. Able to play DE in a 4 man front in base or sub
2. Able to play 3-4 DE at times
3. Able to stand up in a 3-4 at times
4. Able to drop into zone coverage
5. Able to move inside at times on sub packages
There are few players who can do all of those things. Jones is one of them. Most guys big enough to do #2 and #5 effectively aren't mobile enough to stand up or quick enough off the edge to play 4-3 DE. Guys who potentially interest me for that role include:
- Danielle Hunter, LSU. Would need to bulk up a bit, but very long and fluid. Reminds me of Chandler Jones. Has played inside at times for LSU.
- Alvin Dupree. Probably not strong enough, though Mark Swoops has said he believes Dupree is capable of playing 3-4 DE.
- Dante Fowler. See Alvin Dupree.
- Shawn Oakman.
- DeForest Buckner. Not sure he's quick enough to be effective in a 4-3 edge role, or mobile enough standing up, but I'm intrigued.
- Arik Armstead. See DeForest Buckner.
- Preston Smith. Not sure he's fluid or athletic enough to play in space.
- Marcus Hardison.
- Mario Edwards.
- Haven't watched Corey Crawford, but he has intriguing length and size.
Most guys are either too immobile to move in space effectively and/or lack the speed to come off the edge, or aren't strong enough to anchor effectively.
I haven't studied Edwards extensively, but what I have seen of him has been overshadowed by Eddie Goldman (who was athletic enough to play DE for FSU last year). Matt Miller had this to say about Edwards recently:
Mario Edwards is uniquely athletic for his size and definitely pops off the screen as a player who should dominate games. And then you wait for him to show up and take over the offensive line and he doesn't. And when evaluating defensive linemen, that's a major red flag for me.
Edwards isn't physically like Ra'Shede Hageman, but they remind me of each other in that their physique leads you to believe they'll be this world-beater of a player, but their production and in-game impact don't match up with the potential of their athleticism.
Edwards is now outside my first round and is moving down quickly into mid-Day 2.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2289090-2015-nfl-draft-matt-millers-scouting-notebook-for-week-14
Edwards has certainly been on my watch list, but right now he's someone I'd consider in the 2nd half of round 2. But I'll be intrigued to study him more and see how he performs in the pre-draft season.
A healthy Dominique Easley can probably do most of the things listed above, but he is somewhat limited by his length, and I want him available for interior pressure.