Added the GM, “Bryan Edwards is a guy that, if you go three-by-one, with three [receivers] on one side and him on the backside, and let him run down the red line, and back-shoulder fade, regular fade, [he can excel at] all the big-bodied throws where you think he can win. He’s big, he’s physical and he’s got great hands.”
We loved his production in the SEC. … We wanted to get more dynamic on offense. … He’s a big, strong, physical guy that can run fast. – LAS VEGAS RAIDERS GM MIKE MAYOCK
A STEAL
Raiders love Bryan Edwards’ edge, physical style
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By Josh Hyber | Staff writer • Photos by Jenny Dilworth and Allen Sharpe ryan Edwards will go from wearing garnet and black to wearing silver and black. In the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft, at pick No. 81, the Las Vegas Raiders added the former South Carolina receiver to its offensive arsenal. Edwards became the first Gamecock selected by the Raiders since defensive tackle Jimmy Poston
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FOOTBALL • NFL DRAFT
was selected by the organization in the 11th round of the 1971 Draft. “We think Bryan Edwards is an outstanding X [receiver], meaning he’s that big, physical, tough, fast wide receiver on the opposite side,” Las Vegas general manager Mike Mayock told reporters on a teleconference after the selection. “We think he can win one-on-one matchups.
“We loved his production in the SEC. … As a whole, we wanted to get more dynamic on offense. … He’s a big, strong, physical guy that can run fast.” Like many NFL scouts, Mayock was intriguied by Edwards' size and physicality. The 6-3, 215-pound receiver used that size to haul in 22 career touchdown passes, the third-most in school history.
During his time at South Carolina, Edwards set school records for career receptions (234), career receiving yards (3,045) and consecutive games with a catch (48). His 22 career touchdown receptions are one behind NFL star Alshon Jeffery and former NFL star Sidney Rice. “He had an unbelievable career here. I can’t say enough about his contributions to South Carolina, and he told me before the game how much it meant to be a Gamecock and how much he enjoyed his time here,” Gamecock head coach Will Muschamp said after his team’s final game this past season. “… You know, in the recruiting process, exactly what I told Bryan was going to happen: You’re gonna walk out of here with every record at the University of South Carolina. I saw that, I envisioned that, and that’s what happened.” Edwards graduated as one of the most highly respected players in school history. Before the 2018 Belk Bowl, Virginia cornerback Bryce Hall,
MAY 2020
