Oct 4, 2014; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive end Mario Edwards Jr. (15) sacks Wake Forest Demon Deacons quarterback John Wolford (10) for a loss during the second quarter at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
With the draft just roughly a month away Bear Goggles On will be breaking down a wide range of options for the Chicago Bears 2015 draft. We’ll profile different positions and different rounds where players who might fit with the Bears’ new management regime.
Mario Edwards, Jr., DE, Florida State
College:
In 2014, his junior year, Edwards was selected first-team All-ACC and started all 13 games. During his sophomore year, he was chosen third-team All-ACC, but this was a highly injured year for him due to a concussion during a game vs. Clemson and missed two games with a hand injury. Even with multiple injuries, Edwards made 28 tackles, nine and a half were for loss, three and half were sacks, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and one interception. In 2012, his freshman year, he was named USA Today Defensive Player of the Year.
Strengths:
Edwards’ long arms and strong hands are used well to block his opponents so he can maintain his space in a play and has mastered the pass rush move. He is quick to accelerate and his flexibility provides him with the ability to change directions on a dime. His size allows him to meet head-to-head with taller players, but it is due to his attentiveness and focus that enables him to recover and adapt to a play as it occurs, rather than as the play was originally planned. His father, Mario Edwards, Sr., played for Florida State, and even in the NFL for five seasons for the Dallas Cowboys, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Miami Dolphins.
Weaknesses:
Even though Edwards may be quick and adaptable, he is known for being delayed when the snap occurs. Not only is his counting off, he needs to work on his body position to be in sync with the timing of plays. He needs to work on being more creative with his responses to the various plays. Edwards does not work well as a pass rusher. In college, he did play defensive end, but he failed to move quickly off the snap.
Bears Fit:
Edwards could fit as a base end or defensive tackle in a 4-3. His hefty base provides adequate power to come off a snap. His upper-body strength enables him to press and lock out tackles. With this body combination, he can secure a position of attack. His grade is 5.5. Edwards has the built and conditioning of a pro-NFL player, but he needs to learn how to use his body correctly in response to the plays and where the ball is headed.
Draft Projection:
Edwards is supposed to be in the second or third round to be presented early in either of these rounds of the pick, but he may go as late as the fourth round. Edwards is versatile, so he could work well in a 4-3 or he could be a 3-4 defensive end, but he would definitely need coaching help to improve his response to the snap.
Highlights: Edwards is #15.