Pick #6: Rams select David Edwards OT Wisconsin

Pro Football Focus@PFF

New Rams OT David Edwards had the draft class’ 8th-highest run-blocking grade among the top OT prospects. #NFLDraft

https://thedraftnetwork.com/player/david-edwards

DAVID EDWARDS
OT, Wisconsin

Pass Sets – Pass sets appear awkward, doesn’t generate a lot of force in his drive catch and as a result can be tested with speed. More effective in short sets to jump out of his stance and square up but he’s prone to stopping his feet and being forced to pivot and chase quickly.

Length/Extension – Natural length is terrific, has been used as a last resort to ride out many rushers who successfully challenge his outside hip. Strength at full extension is terrific, not going to let space allow him to play soft or without ability to wash out a rusher.

Balance – Can be a tad late to break down and square up a blocker but overall his body control for his size is terrific. Very good working off of lateral contact and chipping defenders at the POA before climbing and looking to pick off scraping LBs.

Hand Technique – Hand clamp is powerful and generates a lot of torque when he’s looking to pull or yank defenders out of a gap. Hand placement can be wide (or wild) and his initial stab on the outside as a pass protector is too often late.

Power at POA – When he’s able to roll forward out of his stance, he can provide devastating amounts of pop and power. Violent thanks to explosive first step and force generated in short space, will be reliable to run behind, even on short yardage down and distances.

Football IQ – Understanding of how to navigate the POA is effective, as is his pursuit skills on the second level. Technical development is paramount and while admirable development in just 4 seasons he has notable holes in his pass blocking.

Functional Athleticism – Graceful big body, most notable in instances climbing the ladder to block on the second level or when working into the boundary as a lead blocker on outside concepts. Shows a lot of lateral range on outside run concepts from the back side.

Anchor Ability – Strong as a bull. Effective to bow his back and dig his feet into the ground, but lapses in hand strikes do open the door for him to get walked back by rushers who can convert speed to power and are willing to bump bellies with him.

Flexibility – Has shown plenty of mobility throughout his torso and waist but functional application is hit or miss, can struggle to get outside foot back in pass sets vs. speed and needs more bend and sink to keep his hips down and prevent folding to chase blocks.

Competitive Toughness – Love his play demeanor, is a bully and plays chippy when he’s let off the leash and able to play forward. His functional play strength is effective and provided he’s aligned with hips and pads he’s not going to be bested when locking horns with all but the most explosive DL.

BEST TRAIT – Functional Athleticism

WORST TRAIT – Pass Sets

Ric Serritella Draft Bible

6. DAVID EDWARDS | WISCONSIN | #79 | rJR | 03.20.97 (age 22.0) | Downers Grove, IL | 6062 | 308 | 2nd RD | 8.4 | Athletes First

OUTLOOK: After he received a very favorable grade from the NFL Draft Advisory Board following his sophomore campaign, Edwards decided to return for one more season in hopes of polishing up his overall game. A high school quarterback, Edwards came to Madison as a tight end before making the switch to right tackle, where he has started for the past three seasons, protecting the blindside for his starting quarterback Alex Hornibrook, who is left-handed. Edwards owns the hard-nosed, gritty Wisconsin pedigree that usually translates well to the NFL. He played through injury during his final season, which obviously hindered him but his strong film from a healthy sophomore campaign, probably solidifies him as a top 50 overall selection.

PROS: Edwards possesses an excellent blend of size, length, power and agility. He is an exceptional run blocker, showing great strength and the ability to sustain his blocks. Has top-tier athleticism for a player at his height and shows off the nastiness as well as toughness required of offensive linemen at the next level. He did a great job of filling out his frame at Wisconsin, bulking up 75 pounds, while maintaining his athleticism and demonstrating sound technique, along with an aggressive style of play, despite having never played offensive line prior to arriving to Madison. However, he has received plenty of reps over the past three seasons, starting 31 of 37 games played.

CONS: Suffered a left shoulder injury during fall camp that he played through during his redshirt junior season. He sat out the final three games of the season to rest the shoulder and allow himself to regain strength in his arm for draft preparation. Edwards does a nice job getting into the second level but will fail to deliver an impact hit on the defender once he arrives to his spot. Can play too tall at times and needs to continue to hone his skills versus pass-rush moves. Needs to fill out his frame, has only played the position a few years in college. He can struggle to chop block and his pass sets are still very much a work in progress, understanding when to open up and how much is where he needs to improve in pass protection.

COMPARISON: Anthony Costanzo, Indianapolis Colts – With excellent size and sound footwork, scouts were split on what side Castonzo projected at the next level, similar to Edwards who seems more than capable of playing either left or right.

from https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2019/4/25/18342882/nfl-draft-2019-david-edwards-scouting-report-wisconsin-football

Strengths: Edwards is a long, athletic kid. Unpleasant disposition in the run game. Really light on his feet for an offensive linemen. Has big-time potential as a pass protector. Understands and hit his set points and landmarks. Has elite potential as a reach blocker on outside zone concepts. Hand placement in the run game is above average.

Weaknesses: Is still raw at the position, has only played offensive tackle for three seasons; still learning. Hands need work in pass pro. Can panic when threatened with a speed rush. Also needs to continue to get stronger in an NFL weight room. Anchor has room for growth, will always struggle with pass rushers with good leverage. Needs to prove he is back from the shoulder injury in 2018.

Summary: Edwards draft stock took a hit after 2017, which proved to be an example of having more tape can give teams more film of your warts in your game. His injury also didn’t help, but Edwards should still be a second day pick in a league desperate for tackle help. He has the potential to be one of the best linemen in this class, and could be an above-average starter in the NFL.

Rams expect David Edwards to play 4 positions on offensive line

Cameron DaSilva

Rams expect David Edwards to play 4 positions on offensive line

When the pick was announced that the Los Angeles Rams were taking Wisconsin offensive tackle David Edwards, there was some uncertainty about where he’ll play on the offensive line. After all, the Rams have two of the best tackles in the league in Andrew Whitworth and Rob Havenstein, and Edwards only played right tackle for the Badgers.

Being a former tight end and high school quarterback, Edwards is a good athlete with solid movement skills for a man his size. He’s going to get a shot to play at positions besides right tackle, which offensive line coach Aaron Kromer made very clear on Saturday afternoon.

“You always ask that and I always tell you the same thing,” Kromer joyfully told Myles Simmons, who asked where Edwards will play. “He’s going to play four spots. He’s going to play both tackles and both guards. It’s the fastest way to learn football and then we’ll find out where he fits best.”

This is the typical approach for the Rams with Kromer coaching the offensive linemen. He loves to “cross-train” them, as Sean McVay says, trying them at multiple positions before settling at one spot. Rodger Saffold played several spots before Kromer arrived in 2017 and locked him in at left guard.

Joseph Noteboom joined the Rams as a tackle, but he’s projected to be the team’s starting left guard in 2019. Austin Blythe made the switch from center to right guard and played at a high level last season.

Edwards told reporters that he played left tackle in spring ball, but otherwise, he only played right tackle. He’d be open to moving inside, though, if the Rams felt it was best for him and the team.

“Yeah, I think if I had the opportunity and the reps to play at guard and even at center, I would definitely welcome that,” he said. “Wherever they decide to play me and give me the opportunity is fine with me. I have no reservations on moving inside or playing at any other position.”

Edwards can compete with Noteboom at left guard, Blythe at right guard and if he doesn’t become a starter in 2019, the Rams will give him the chance to either back up those guys at guard or succeed Whitworth in 2020 at left tackle.

David Edwards pegged as Rams' biggest steal in 2019 NFL draft https://t.co/F7ggvJvlY9 via @theramswire

— RamsNewsNow (@RamsNewsNow) May 6, 2019

Holy cow…. I don’t want to get too excited…. but that is SOMETHING

#Rams Rookie OT David Edwards' ability as a run blocker likely intrigued #LA to add depth to their OL by picking him at 169

In 2017, (min. 200 snaps) he posted an 80.5 Offensive Grade (37th for OLs; 24th for OTs) and an 81.4 Run Block Grade (23rd for OLs; 15th for OTs) pic.twitter.com/SoFbYJ3S59

— PFF LA Rams (@PFF_Rams) May 10, 2019