Two time All-Big 10, four year starter with 367 tackles, 37.5 tackles for loss, 8 sacks, 10 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles, and an All-American title. Wisconsin star linebacker T.J. Edwards did everything to prove he is a 3 down LB.
“Below-average initial quickness”
“Limitations in man coverage”
“Limited sideline-sideline range”
NFL.com
Despite running a 4.77 sec 40 yard dash at his pro day, question marks regarding speed and athleticism caused Edwards to go undrafted. However, the Eagles saw a perfect opportunity, giving Edwards the second most guarenteed money to UDFAs this year.
So far, Edwards is progressing at a rate Eagles could only hope for.
College star, captain, leader:
Edwards played big in college. Like, really big. He generated a lot of power when engaging blockers, showing a variety of moves, good technique, and rarely got washed in the run game.
To much surprise given the rumors, he displayed good hip turn in coverage, showing calmness and excellence in diagnosing route concepts. Further, he took good angles on shifty recievers.
However, his biggest strength was tackling. The ability to chase a ballcarrier from inside to out, staying at the near hip of the ballcarrier, and bending around blockers to make shoestring tackles:
Game 1 vs Titans: Shaking the nerves
You could tell Edwards was not playing like the dominant technician we saw in college in his first game vs Titans. There were more than enough mistakes to learn from, however, he made some really solid plays in between as well:
T.J. Edwards after first preseason game vs Titans.
“There was a lot of hype around the first game and stuff like that… Now that I kind of got my feet wet more, I can anticipate more for this next one.”
He earned an overall PFF grade of a very respectable 74.9 with solid tackling and coverage, expectingly dropping the grade in run defence.
Game 2 vs Jags: Displaying the abilities
Against the Jaguars, Edwards was playing much more relaxed, and returned to displaying tremendous ability to track ballcarriers from inside-out. He made excellent tackles, and most importantly, had an awesome open field pursuit tackle coming from the box to the sideline on a dump off to the TE:
After the game, Edwards started receiving first team reps in dime packages in practice, indicating the coaching staff were impressed by his progress too.
Further, he improved his overall defensive grade to 76.1, marked by increase in especially tackling and coverage.
Game 3 vs Ravens: Putting on a show
This is were the show got real. Everything was on full display in this game, from physical presence in the run game and smooth coverage ability, to taking his tracking to a new level with textbook outside pursuit of Trace McSorley on a keep.
Edwards earned a team-high defensive grade of 84.1, an impressive stamp in an all important game.
Athleticism is a concern… Or is it?
To compensate for lack of speed and explosion it takes high level play recognition, pursuit angles, play understanding, and most importantly – effort.
Edwards athletic profile just so happens to be 90.3 % comparable to Titans LB Jayon Brown, a former 5th round pick who ran a 4.7 40, earning the same questions marks as Edwards.
Brown had 107 tackles, 6 sacks, 18 QB hits, and a pick in 2018 as the starting ILB for the Titans.
Edwards will make the Eagles roster, as he will not make it to the practice squad and is simply too talented and progressing too fast to give up on.
Thomas Ringgaard, a fan of LB talent
Mandatory photo credit: Eric Hartline – USA Today Sports Images
