[jwplayer 2mLl8fxO-ThvAeFxT]
Few draft analysts had Bryan Edwards ranked higher than The Athletic’s Bob McGinn. Edwards was his seventh-best wide receiver in his rankings, just behind first-round products Justin Jefferson and Brandon Aiyuk, and 33rd overall pick Tee Higgins.
The Raiders selected Edwards at pick No. 81 in the third round, which is right around where many seemed to have him projected.
One scout told McGinn prior to the draft that Edwards would be a great pick in the third.
“[H]e excited me. There’s a ceiling on him because I don’t think he’s a dynamic athlete. He’s a 4.5’s kind of guy, like a big, physical banger, a guy who will do dirty work. He can play big slot. It’s not like he’s lightning quick, but he’s fluid enough to be a good enough route runner. He’s a lot like Sterling Sharpe was except he doesn’t have the run after. You probably have to have some other pieces around him, guys that are more dynamic playmakers. But if you have that and you throw him in the mix then he’s interesting. I think he’s a great third-round pick.”
A second scout said Edwards is one of his favorite receivers in the class, but that durability was a concern. Likely because of a knee injury that cost him the final two games of his college career followed by a broken foot in February while training for the Combine.
“He’s very physical, which I love about him, but it’s kind of counterproductive for him. Durability is a big problem. I don’t think people give him credit for how athletic he is. I just think he does a lot of things that really matter for that position. He’s one of my favorite players.”
One of the more eye-popping stats out there for the 6-2, 212-pound receiver is his 27 broken tackles. A third scout said his play style is perfect for the West Coast offense which would explain Gruden’s interest.
“He’s really lost steam because of the injury. He’s kind of your old school West Coast (receiver) catching slants, breaking tackles and go. There’s a lot of love for that guy in the league.”
Banger? Dirty work? Old school? West Coast offense? Sounds like Edwards had Gruden Grinder written all over him.
[vertical-gallery id=66210]
[lawrence-newsletter]