receiver Archives

Raiders, Falcons trade grades: Bryan Edwards dealt to Atlanta as Vegas parts with wide receiver

May 17, 2022 Bella

After Bryan Edwards spent two years in Las Vegas, the Raiders have traded the receiver to the Falcons, the team announced. The Raiders traded Edwards along with a 2023 seventh-round pick to the Falcons in exchange for a fifth-round pick in next year’s draft, according to ESPN.

A third-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Edwards caught 45 passes for 764 yards and four touchdowns during his two seasons in Las Vegas. In 16 games last season, Edwards caught 34 of 59 targets for 571 yards and three touchdowns while averaging 16.8 yards per catch. He caught three passes for 41 yards in the Raiders’ wild card playoff loss to the Bengals.

The 6-foot-3, 212-pound Edwards went over the 80-yard receiving barrier three times last season. He played an integral role in the Raiders’ playoff-clinching win over the Chargers in Week 18, as he caught four of five targets for 63 yards.

Edwards played collegiately at South Carolina, where over four seasons he caught 234 passes for 3,045 yards and 22 touchdowns. He also returned 12 punts while averaging 11.6 yards per return.

Edwards joins a Falcons offense that includes rookie first-round pick Drake London, former Bengals receivers Auden Tate, veteran wideout Damiere Byrd and running back/receiver Cordarrelle Patterson. Edwards will reunite with quarterback Marcus Mariota, who served as Derek Carr’s backup in Las Vegas over the past two seasons.

Here’s our initial grades for the trade that sent Edwards to Atlanta.

Falcons: A-

Edwards isn’t a star, but he is a young (he turns 24 in November) yet experienced player who should be entering his most productive seasons. He also adds depth to a Falcons receiving corps that is devoid of a big-name veteran wideout. Edwards’ experience with Mariota, along with the fact that he is still playing

2022 NFL Mock Draft 3.0: Derek Stingley Jr. climbs up draft board, Jets trade up to select first wide receiver

April 30, 2022 Bella

Georgia

• 6’5″

/ 275 lbs

Projected Team

Jacksonville

PROSPECT RNK

13th

POSITION RNK

1st

The market shifted wildly Monday with Walker now the favorite. I’m actually sort of mad at myself for not moving Hutch out of here earlier. Hutch’s arms don’t meet Trent Baalke’s requirements in terms of length, and he played for Jim Harbaugh in college. No chance Baalke gives Harbs that shine at first overall. There is still a small chance this could still be an OL (Ickey most likely), but I’ll ride with Walker.

Oregon

• 6’5″

/ 258 lbs

Projected Team

Detroit

PROSPECT RNK

6th

POSITION RNK

2nd

The easy move is to put Hutch here, and he may very well be the No. 2 overall pick. But Thibs has massive upside and Brad Holmes was laser locked in on him through this process. The Lions also have intel via his former teammate Penei Sewell. Too much is made of the Michigan stuff and Dan Campbell making the selection of “one of his guys” here.

Projected Team

Houston

PROSPECT RNK

5th

POSITION RNK

2nd

I’ve been thinking OL here for the Texans for a while now, or maybe even the best available EDGE player. But this is a “bad” draft class and there aren’t many elite players. One guy who might flip that narrative is Sting, who would have been a stone-cold lock at No. 1 this year if the only thing people saw was his 2019 tape. Skills are repeatable, so why wouldn’t the Texans reach for the stars with one of their first-round picks?

Michigan

• 6’6″

/ 265 lbs

Projected Team

N.Y. Jets

PROSPECT RNK

1st

POSITION RNK

1st

Shocking drop here for Hutchinson given how the draft process has played out, but it’s not really that unrealistic to think he

Former Broncos star Demaryius Thomas dies at 33; Pro Bowl wide receiver helped Denver win Super Bowl title

December 14, 2021 Bella

The NFL community lost one of its top players of the 2010s on Thursday, as former Broncos star Demaryius Thomas was found dead in his home at the age of 33, according to a Roswell, Georgia, police report obtained by the Washington Post. Police say preliminary information suggests Thomas’ death stemmed from a medical issue.

LaTonya Bonseigneur, a first cousin who grew up with Thomas, told the Associated Press the family believes he died from a seizure.

Family members were reportedly notified by the Roswell police at about 9 p.m. ET that they had found Thomas in a shower at his home.

“He had been suffering from seizures for over a year, and we believe he had a seizure when he was showering,” Bonseigneur said early Friday. “We’re not sure when he died. We just spoke with him yesterday.”

She added, “He was alone and a friend couldn’t get hold of him, so he called his driver, who has a key because of these seizures, and he went into his home and found him in the shower.”

“The NFL family mourns the tragic loss of Demaryius Thomas and we extend our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones,” the NFL released in a statement.

We are devastated and completely heartbroken.

Demaryius’ humility, warmth, kindness and infectious smile will always be remembered by those who knew him and loved him. pic.twitter.com/0GLZIr6UP3

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) December 10, 2021

Thomas, who last played in 2019, had only officially announced his retirement this June. He finished his 10-year career as one of the most productive wide receivers of his time, most notably as a five-time Pro Bowler and the No. 1 pass-catcher for Denver’s 2015 Super Bowl championship team.

Drafted 22nd overall by the Broncos out of Georgia Tech in 2010, Thomas