Oakland Raiders' first-round pick, Amari Cooper, has been one of the NFL's best rookies in the first half of the season. But the Raiders second-round pick is starting to make his presence felt as well.

Defensive lineman Mario Edwards has become a full-fledged part of a re-energized defense in recent weeks due to injuries. Monday, a day after the Raiders improved to 4-3 with a win over the New York Jets, coach Jack Del Rio had high praise for the Florida State product who was the No. 35 overall draft pick.

"He's a talented young man that has earned more playing time with Justin (Tuck) going down," Del Rio said. "He's been thrust into a role that he really had earned from his performance, but the timing of it made it such that he's going to get the lion's share of the work there and he's really flourished. He's really done a nice job for us."

In other Raiders' notes: