Seattle Seahawks Sign Former Florida State Defensive End To One-Year Deal
The 2023 NFL Draft is behind us and that has teams turning back to the pool of free agents to fill out open spots on their 90-man offseason rosters. The Seattle Seahawks are looking to reload along the defensive line after having the third-worst rushing defense in the league last season.
On Monday, Seattle announced that it was signing veteran defensive end Mario Edwards Jr. to a one-year deal. A second-round pick out of Florida State in 2015, he's joining his seventh franchise ahead of his ninth year at the professional level.
Edwards has also spent Oakland Raiders, New York Giants, New Orleans Saints, Chicago Bears, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Tennessee Titans. He's coming off a stint with the Titans where he appeared in 13 games, with seven starts, and recorded 17 tackles, four tackles for loss, three sacks, and a pass deflection.
Seattle head coach Pete Carroll is excited to add Edwards to the roster. He believes that the veteran can help out the team in multiple ways.
"I'm really pumped about this, because I thought I saw something in Mario, a couple months ago when we started free agency, where he could help," Carroll said on Friday. "He's got versatility—he's played end, he's stood up, he's been hand in the ground, he's been inside as a three-technique, he's played everywhere along the line—that I really like. He's really quick and he plays really hard. He's got a real good attitude about him. So he'd fit in a lot of ways. So I see him adding to the pass rush for sure, and he'll be competing to be in that first group, the first four guys out there. I've seen him play enough, he can play football. He'll be a big factor for us."
During his career, Edwards has totaled 135 tackles, 23 tackles for loss, 19.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and five pass deflections in 99 games, with 32 starts. He's struggled at different points with injuries and suspensions but still has the talent to be a starting-caliber defensive end at his best.
A five-star prospect and the No. 1 player in the 2012 class, Edwards spent three seasons at Florida State. He developed into a Third-Team All-ACC selection and First-Team All-ACC selection while starting on the 2014 BCS National Championship team. Edwards totaled 95 tackles, 23 tackles for loss, eight sacks, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, one interception, seven pass deflections, and one defensive touchdown.
His best season in Tallahassee came in 2014. He recorded a career-high 44 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, three sacks, two forced fumbles, and five pass deflections. Edwards totaled a single-game-high nine tackles, four tackles for loss, and a forced fumble against Virginia in 2014.
READ MORE: Wide Receiver Destyn Hill Added To Florida State's Student Directory
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