Raiders camp: Bryan Edwards taking Tyrell Williams’ job
Bryan Edwards might already be taking Tyrell Williams’ job at Raiders camp.
The Las Vegas Raiders started the 2020 NFL Draft with a theme in mind when they took Alabama wide receiver Henry Ruggs III with their top pick.
In the third round, the Raiders added some more pieces to the offense in Lynn Bowden Jr. and Bryan Edwards, two underrated SEC playmakers in the 2020 class.
Edwards wasn’t able to perform at the 2020 Scouting Combine due to injury, and it’s probably a major blessing in disguise for the Raiders because it caused Edwards to be drafted at least a round too late.
Over the last four years at South Carolina, Edwards caught 234 passes for over 3,000 yards and 22 touchdowns. At 6-foot-3, 212 pounds, his size has always brought him an advantage but Edwards is a smooth athlete with leaping ability, speed, and length.
Coming off of injury, Edwards was going to have to earn his way into playing time with a solid group of receivers ahead of him on the Las Vegas Raiders’ initial depth chart.
In the early goings of camp, it’s safe to say he’s doing that.
Edwards has not only been impressive, his play is potentially prompting his main competition for playing time — 2019 free agent pickup Tyrell Williams — to try and get back on the field after a torn labrum.
#Raiders WR Tyrell Williams has a torn labrum in his shoulder, sources say. He’s going to try to play through it after rehabbing for a few weeks. A tough task, but the big-play WR will attempt it.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 24, 2020
RAIDERS CAMP PRACTICE 10 (Play of the day)
— Paul Gutierrez (@PGutierrezESPN) August 26, 2020
Rookie WR Bryan Edwards is no longer a secret, not with the tough catches he makes in camp. Not when he pulls off a sick juggling act to haul in a Nathan Peterman pass down the left sideline with rookie CB Amik... https://t.co/tG5gKoPxH7
Edwards has been taking first-team reps with the Raiders in Williams’ absence, but he might just be there to stay.
He’s gaining the trust of quarterback Derek Carr and is making too many plays in practice for the Raiders to even consider 2020 a redshirt year for him.
Earlier in the offseason, I wrote about how Edwards could possibly be Williams’ successor in 2021, but it appears as though that could happen even sooner.
Next. 2021 NFL mock draft update (2 rounds). dark
The 2020 NFL Draft class at the wide receiver position continues to be impressive. Just about every team in the league has at least one guy they’re excited about from this class at receiver, and the depth of the class overall was so unique that a player like Edwards, picked 81st overall, could wind up being one of the most valuable rookies in the rookie crop.