EXCLUSIVE

Former NFL wide receiver Braylon Edwards was arrested for DUI in Scottsdale, Arizona last week ... and cops say he was EXTREMELY wasted ... TMZ Sports has learned.

The 32-year-old -- who played for the Browns, Jets and 49ers during his NFL career -- was pulled over in the early hours of May 4th ... according to police records.

Cops say Braylon's blood alcohol level was more than .20 -- more than twice the legal limit and considered an "extreme DUI" in Scottsdale.

It's the 2nd time Edwards has been arrested for driving under the influence in the past 5 years -- he was popped for drunk driving in 2010.

Braylon was also named in a battery report in 2013 for attacking a photographer in Detroit ... an incident that was captured on video.

Attempts to reach Braylon for comment have been unsuccessful.