Raiders Select WRs Lynn Bowden & Bryan Edwards in NFL Draft

With consecutive picks, the Las Vegas Raiders went all-in at wide receiver by selecting Lynn Bowden and Bryan Edwards to join first-round WR Henry Ruggs III.

SI Staff | Apr 24, 2020

The Las Vegas Raiders selected WR Bryan Edwards with the 81st pick of the 2020 NFL Draft. Edwards grew up in South Carolina and went to Conway High School in Conway, SC. A prolific wide receiver, Edwards hauled in 2,562 passing yards and 32 touchdowns for the Tigers. Edwards was invited to the 2016 U.S. Army All-American Game but didn’t play due to a knee injury. After considering USC and Clemson, Edwards enrolled at South Carolina and he was the first recruit signed by new head coach Will Muschamp.

Edwards will be an intriguing wide receiver at the next level. His size, at 6-foot-3 and 212 pounds, paired with his strength and speed, make him an enticing big target. He projects as a physical playmaker in the NFL with route running skills and a release to win over the short areas of the field. Edwards has the wheels to get on top of some cornerbacks in the deep passing game.

While already owning the ability to snatch tough passes in traffic, his hand skills should improve with more chances at the NFL level. He will also make some spectacular catches with one hand. Edwards can bounce off defenders or beat them with his speed. He’ll win in space in many one-on-one matchups while also showing some value as an open-field runner.

He missed the Gamecocks’ final two games (knee injury) as a senior and then sat out the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine due to a broken foot injury. During four seasons at South Carolina, Edwards hauled in 234 passes for 3,045 receiving yards and 22 touchdowns. If he can stay healthy, Edwards has the required size, speed and skill set to succeed as an NFL wide receiver.

2019 stats (Senior; South Carolina): 816 receiving yards, 6 touchdowns (10 games)

2018 stats (Junior; South Carolina): 846 receiving yards, 7 touchdowns (13 games)

2017 stats (Sophomore; South Carolina): 793 receiving yards, 5 touchdowns (13 games)

2016 stats (Freshman; South Carolina): 590 receiving yards, 4 touchdowns (12 games)

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Published Apr 24, 2020

SI STAFF