Watt and Clowney played the edge because they were better than Mercilus. Still are. Mercilus had 5.5 sacks in weeks 1-7, with Watt in the lineup. 2 sacks the remainder of the season with Watt out. Both against the Bucs (good luck there, Brady).Mercilus was a product of RAC not playing him in the right position for nearly three seasons bc of Clowney and Watt. He was asked to play in positions he shouldn’t have been in so others could be the edge players. Last season was his first back primarily on the edge since 2015.
Mercilus lives of the attention and pressure Watt provides. He's the guy that sweeps up after the bull wrecks the china shop.