Seahawks Get Visit from Vet D-Lineman Mario Edwards Jr.; Signing Reinforcements?
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Echoing recent comments from general manager John Schneider, the Seattle Seahawks remain active pursuing veteran help for their rebuilt defensive line.
Two days after releasing nose tackle Al Woods, per ESPN's Field Yates, the Seahawks brought in former Florida State standout Mario Edwards Jr. for a free agent visit on Wednesday. At this time, no signing appears imminent.
Formerly a second round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft by the Raiders, Edwards has bounced around playing for five different teams in eight seasons. Most recently, he played in 13 games for the Titans in 2022, starting seven games while producing 17 tackles, a trio of sacks, and 11 quarterback hits.
After starting 24 games in his first three seasons in Oakland, Edwards settled into a reserve role during brief stints with the New York Giants, New Orleans Saints, and Chicago Bears. Since entering the league, he has never eclipsed four sacks in a single season and according to Pro Football Focus, he has only surpassed 30 quarterback pressures twice, including a career-best 34 in Tennessee last season.
While Edwards has never lived up to his draft billing as a pass rusher with a mere 19.5 career sacks and 46 quarterback hits in 99 career games, the versatile 280-pound defender's stout run defense has traveled with him everywhere he has played. Despite playing only 112 snaps as a run defender in 2022, PFF handed him a stellar 72.0 grade, which ranked 20th out of 82 qualified edge defenders. He also ranked eighth in run stop percentage (9.6%).
In eight NFL seasons, Edwards has earned at least a 65.0 run defense grade six times. Given Seattle's major issues stopping opposing running backs a year ago with a dreadful 31st overall ranking, he would be a welcome addition in the trenches with the flexibility to line up as a 3-tech defensive tackle, a 5-tech defensive end in even fronts, or even a nose in pass rushing situations.
Creating more intrigue, Edwards pass rushing capabilities may be more than meets the eye with raw sack numbers. For the Bears in 2020, he posted a respectable 11.5 percent pressure rate on the way to a career-high in sacks. Nearly as effective with the Titans last season, he posted a 10 percent pressure rate while setting new personal bests in pressures and quarterback hits, proving himself more disruptive invading the pocket than earlier in his career.
Currently, the Seahawks have only five defensive tackles on their 90-man roster after releasing Woods, Shelby Harris, and Quinton Jefferson in cost-cutting moves. Aweay from recently signed veterans Dre'Mont Jones and Jarran Reed, nose tackle Bryan Mone could miss significant time recovering from an ACL tear and Myles Adams stands out as the only healthy player with regular season game experience at the position.
Seeking capable veterans who fit their 3-4 scheme, Edwards would check off both boxes while immediately bolstering Seattle's run defense. With minimal cap space at the moment, however, it remains to be seen if the two sides will reach an agreement.
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