After making me look like a fool last year, I’m not quitting the 6-foot-3, 215 lb specimen, aka Bryan Edwards, just yet. After recording only 11 receptions in 12 games as a rookie, Edwards is set to replace Nelson Agholor on the perimeter and is currently running with Henry Ruggs III and Hunter Renfrow on the first-team offense — over veteran addition John Brown.
Since entering the league, both Derek Carr and Jon Gruden have attached lofty comparisons to Edwards, which is one reason why Raiders fans and fantasy owners are willing to go back to the well in year two.
Jon Gruden said on NFL Network Bryan Edwards has been looking like Terrell Owens, but he’s looking more like Randy Moss to me.
He’s been catching balls with corners draped over him all Training Camp.
— Levi Edwards (@theleviedwards) August 4, 2021
Comparing Edwards to two of the better receivers of all time is excessive, but after Mossing defensive back after defensive back during training camp, Carr feels like Edwards is ready to take the next step. Oh, and Carr also compared him to his former college teammate and current WR1, Davante Adams, for the second time in as many years.
“You know what, it reminds me a lot of Davante [Adams] when he first came into college. He was redshirting, but I wanted to throw him every pass,” Carr said last week.
“Even though we were getting ready for games, I’d still throw his rep. Just building that time on task. So, it was the same thing with Bryan when he wasn’t starting, I was still trying to throw his rep every day in practice. Now, I’m seeing that translate … He works extremely hard. I’m very proud of him.”
What a ridiculous catch by Bryan Edwards pic.twitter.com/0AuRwBoysK
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) August 4, 2021
While Gruden and Carr are busy comparing Edwards to the all-time greats, Raiders’ beat writer Tashan Reed said we should temper expectations for the player.
As someone who’s been at every training camp practice this year, those comparisons are premature.
Edwards is a physical, big-bodied target at 6-foot-3, 212 pounds. He flashes his athleticism both in his ability to go up and get balls but also his explosiveness out of routes. He has nice speed for someone his size and is able to create separation without muscling through defensive backs. With all that being said, it’s still early. Most of his flashes have come in practices; more of them have to start translating to games. He could also benefit from expanding his route tree and making smaller, more consistent plays in between the big hits.
Edwards, who had a very solid collegiate career at South Carolina, could have been a first or second-round pick if COVID-19 and an unfortunate string of injuries did not screw up his pre-draft process, according to friend of the program, Trevor Sikkema.
Then, his rookie season was derailed by foot and ankle injuries.
“Outside of health, man, it was just watching tape, slowing things down in my mind and the mental side of the game,” Edwards said last week. “Just as far as how to prepare every day and how to not get too riled up; just be in the moment and stay positive.”
One could argue that Gruden and Carrs’ comments are doing more harm than good for Edwards. But either way, it shows the potential is untapped and it is waiting to explode. We all know Darren Waller will see over 130 targets, but Agholor’s departure opened up 82 targets on the perimeter.
Edwards’ current ADP is currently 192 overall (14.09) and seems like a worthy late-round dart throw in Best Ball and deeper leagues.
