Free agency is in progress across the NFL as teams look to shore up their roster prior to the 2024 season. Multiple former Florida State standouts such as Brian Burns, Ronald Darby, Joshua Sweat, and Derrick Nnadi have already agreed to new deals since the beginning of the period.
On Tuesday, the Houston Texans added depth on the defensive side of the ball with the addition of a veteran defensive lineman. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Texans have agreed to a one-year contract with former Seminole defensive end Mario Edwards Jr. This will be Edwards Jr.'s eighth franchise since being drafted in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft.
Edwards Jr. has bounced around the league as he's only had two stints with teams last longer than two years. He played for the then-Oakland Raiders from 2015-17 and the Chicago Bears from 2020-21. He didn't spend more than a year with the New York Giants, New Orleans Saints, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, or Seattle Seahawks.
The Mississippi native is entering his tenth year at the professional level. He's totaled 156 tackles, 28 tackles for loss, 21.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, and six pass deflections in 114 appearance career appearances with 33 starts. His most productive season came as a rookie.
Edwards Jr. played his college career at Florida State under former head coach Jimbo Fisher. He was regarded as the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2012 class and a five-star prospect. Edwards Jr. ended up becoming a key starter at defensive end during the program's run to a National Championship and inaugural College Football Playoff selection in 2013-14. He recorded 95 tackles, 23 tackles for loss, eight sacks, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, one interception, and seven pass deflections in Tallahassee. Edwards Jr. was named Third-Team All-ACC in 2013 and First-Team All-ACC in 2014.
More must-reads: