Seahawks 90-Man Countdown: DE Mario Edwards - Surprise Starter?

Despite being a late addition in the free agency process, given his history of being a stout run defender with positional flexibility, Mario Edwards could be one of the more important signings on a new-look Seattle Seahawks defensive line.

Author:
Corbin K. Smith
Publish date:
Jun 30, 2023 8:35 PM EDT

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Seattle Seahawks

With the calendar flipping to June and offseason activities wrapping up league-wide, the Seattle Seahawks will open training camp at the VMAC in less than two months, officially ushering in the 2023 season.

To celebrate the new incoming season, we'll be detailing every member of the Seahawks 90-man roster over the next several weeks, exploring best and worst case scenarios and what to expect from each player entering the 2023 campaign.

Mario Edwards, Defensive End

Height/Weight: 6-3, 280 pounds

2022 Stats: 17 tackles, three sacks, four tackles for loss

Highly regarded coming out of Florida State, Edwards entered the NFL as a second-round pick with the Raiders in 2015 and started 10 games as a rookie, producing 42 tackles and a pair of sacks. After injuries held him back in three seasons in Oakland, he bounced around with the New York Giants, New Orleans, and Chicago over the next four seasons, failing to eclipse 17 tackles or four sacks in any of those seasons rotating in as a reserve defensive lineman. On the move again, he enjoyed one of his best professional seasons in Tennessee in 2022, setting a career-high with 34 quarterback pressures while primarily playing off the edge.

With the Titans opting not to bring Edwards back despite a solid year with the team, Edwards remained unsigned into May, ultimately signing with the Seahawks after visiting the team for a free agent visit earlier in the spring. After missing most of OTAs due to a personal matter, he reported for mandatory minicamp and will vie for snaps as a defensive end in the team's 3-4 scheme.

Best-Case Scenario: Remaining a stout, physical presence defending the run and providing unexpected contributions as a pass rusher as he did with Tennessee in 2022, Edwards plays starter reps rotating behind Dre'Mont Jones and Jarran Reed as one of Seattle's primary 3-tech defenders, setting career-bests in tackles and tackles for loss.

Worst-Case Scenario: Relegated to early downs due to his limited pass rushing upside, Edwards sees a steady reduction in playing time for the Seahawks as the season unfolds with the emergence of rookie Mike Morris and fourth-year defender Myles Adams, who ultimately pass him on the depth chart.

What to Expect in 2023: Though he has been a journeyman playing for five NFL teams and starting only 32 out of 99 career games, Edwards has been a productive rotational defender who consistently holds up well against the run and at 280 pounds, he has enough size to play inside as well as off the edge. He also has played extensive action in a Vic Fangio-style 3-4 scheme, including for former Seahawks assistant Sean Desai with Chicago in 2021, which should make the acclimation to his new team a breeze.

Considering Seattle's issues stopping the run last season as reflected by a 30th overall ranking, while Edwards shouldn't be expected to pitch in many sacks, his experience and versatility will be excellent assets for a revamped defensive line featuring several young players such as Morris, Adams, and nose tackle Cameron Young. Set to compete against Reed for a potential starting spot, similar to what Marquise Goodwin did as a late free agency signing at receiver a year ago, he should make a significant impact on the field and bring much-needed leadership in the trenches.

Previous Seahawks 90-Man Profiles