ALAMEDA, Calif. -- Oakland Raiders rookie defensive lineman Mario Edwards is coming off his best NFL game. The second-round pick had a game-high 11 tackles and a sack in a loss to Minnesota.

The Raiders badly need Edwards to continue that type of production as they face the rest of the season without pass-rusher Aldon Smith, who is starting a one-year NFL suspension.

Mario Edwards had the best game of his rookie season against the Vikings, and the Raiders need him to continue the upward trend with Aldon Smith gone. AP Photo/Ben Margot

Smith was one of the Raiders’ better defensive players and performed well against both the pass and the run. While Benson Mayowa will likely move into Smith’s spot, the Raiders will look for Edwards' play to help make up for the loss, beginning Sunday at Detroit.

Edwards said his task is simple: “Be yourself, do your job."

Lions coach Jim Caldwell said he thinks the Florida State product is up to the challenge.

“He’s an outstanding pass-rusher, first of all. He gives you problems on the inside, he’s quick. He’s got power,” Caldwell said of Edwards. “They’ve also had him outside a little bit on the edge and he certainly can do well out there. That’s why I said I wouldn’t be surprised if they put him outside because, particularly in the nickel package, he’s certainly capable. But not only that, he’s been excellent against the run. He’s hard to block because of the athleticism, because of his speed and power. And he’s tenacious, he just doesn’t give up.”

That’s exactly what the Raiders need from Edwards now.