SEATTLE – Mario Edwards Jr. played into the fourth quarter of Thursday’s preseason finale. That doesn’t reflect well on his employment status.
NBC Sports Bay Area reported that Edwards Jr.’s roster spot was in jeopardy right after a 30-19 preseason victory over Seattle at CenturyLink Field. Then an NFL source confirmed a Friday morning NFL Network report that the Raiders are trying to trade him before cutting the roster to 53 on Saturday.
Head coach Jon Gruden was asked about Edwards Jr.’s status in his postgame press conference, and the response intimated his status is shaky at best.
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“He’s in a competitive situation,” Gruden said. “We’re trying to find a (position) for him. We brought in two inside pass rushers (in the draft). Can he play the three technique? Can he be a six technique? Can he be a base end or open-side end? He has a lot of versatility. We’ll look at the tape. He’s in a competitive situation, and I’ll have to let you know in the next day or so what we’re going to do.”
That’s not exactly a vote of confidence.
An Edwards Jr. exit would clearly portray Gruden’s opinion on the last three draft classes. He has said several times that group has underwhelmed, and that he needed more from it.
He hasn’t received much from the last three season-round picks. Gruden traded 2016 second-round pick Jihad Ward right after this year’s NFL draft. He waived-injured 2017 second-round pick Obi Melifonwu. If Edwards Jr. departs, that would complete a trifecta.
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Gruden wasn’t satisfied with a lacking interior pass rush, prompting him to select P.J. Hall and Maurice Hurst in this year’s draft. Edwards Jr. is a talented, versatile defensive lineman who has lost significant time with injury, has been inconsistent when healthy and has had his motor questioned by some.
Preseason playing time doesn’t always tell a story, but Edwards Jr. playing deep into Thursday’s game, while Hall, Hurst and Frostee Rucker is significant. He also seems to be behind Fadol Brown in the pecking order, especially after the Mississppi product stood out this preseason and played through pain on Thursday.
Edwards Jr.’s draft status won’t help keep him around. Gruden has made that clear with several decisions this preseason. He’s going to keep the best guy, the best fit, regardless of pedigree.
“We don’t care how you got here,” Gruden said. “The draft for organizational purposes… When you get out and play, it’s about performance between the lines. We’re going to try to keep the right 53 guys. That’s all I can say.”