Dwan

Edwards

Edwards isn’t a good fit for the new 4-3 defense, and coordinator Dave Wannstedt indicated Thursday that he doesn’t want situational players. Grading out well below average as a run defender, according to Pro Football Focus, Edwards isn’t worth his $3.8 million salary.

Edwards is a predictable cap casualty. He was set to cost the Bills $4.175 million against the cap and no longer had a starting role in the new 4-3 scheme. He’ll attract suitors as a 3-4 defensive end.

Edwards will play the “three-technique” pass-rushing interior position while bulkier Ron Edwards handles the nose. Dwan has never been a big-time sack guy (career-high 2.5), but it’s difficult to imagine him being any worse than what Carolina was previously trotting out. We still recommend targeting the Panthers’ defense for fantasy matchup purposes, especially in the run game.

2011 third-round pick Terrell McClain was waived in a corresponding move. Not expected to start and due $4.175 million, Edwards was released by the Bills on Friday. He’ll immediately step into a competition with Sione Fua to start opposite Ron Edwards in the team’s base 4-3 defense.

That huge number makes Edwards a prime candidate for release. Given a four-year, $18 million deal in 2010 to play defensive end in the Bills’ old 3-4 defense, Edwards is now a reserve defensive tackle in Dave Wannstedt’s 4-3 scheme. The odds are slim Edwards will be kept after notching 52 tackles and 2.5 sacks last season.

According to coach Ron Rivera, Edwards’ status is “uncertain” for Week 9. That would suggest he’s dealing with a high-ankle sprain, and highly unlikely to suit up against the Redskins. Edwards has started all seven games this season, but made little impact against the run or in the pass rush.

Edwards hasn’t returned to practice since missing Week 14 and is out indefinitely. The Panthers will also be without Jonathan Stewart (ankle) and Geoff Hangartner (foot) for Sunday’s game. Hangartner’s absence means a struggling Jeff Byers will make his first start since being benched in Week 11.

Edwards was Carolina’s lone effective interior defensive lineman in 2012, and new GM Dave Gettleman is on board with trying to retain him. Going on age 32, Edwards should not be a highly coveted free agent if he hits the market.

Edwards is reportedly weighing “several contract offers,” and one team is said to have been a playoff team last year. The one-year offer isn’t expected to be enough to woo him back to Carolina after Edwards recorded 6.5 sacks last season. The Panthers view him as a priority, but they have no money.

The Panthers made Edwards a one-year, $1.5 million offer last week. He says he has a two-year deal on the table from another team and is inclined to take it if Carolina doesn’t up the ante. Edwards, 32 in May, posted 6.5 sacks as a 4-3 tackle last season.