Chicago Bears: 5 Inside linebackers to target in 2018 NFL Draft
Tremaine Edmunds, Virginia Tech: 6-5, 253 pounds
As excited as many scouts are at having a Roquan Smith, they are equally as excited at the prospect of watching Tremaine Edmunds. When watching film of Edmunds it is difficult not to fall in love with his play. He has the rare combination of size, speed, and athletic ability. What is more freakish is that he can fill his body out more.
Edmunds uses his speed and quickness to cover the entire field. He takes on blockers and either blows past them or has spin moves and such to get away from them. As a tackler, Edmunds squares up his target and finishes the tackle well.
NFL.com draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah ranks Edmunds as the sixth-best overall prospect in this draft. Here is what he has to say:
"Edmunds has a unique blend of size, length and athleticism. He primarily lines up off the line of scrimmage, but does get some work rushing off the edge. Against the run, he is quick to key, fill and finish as a tackler. He has rare lateral range and collects tackles from sideline to sideline. The former Hokie flashes the ability to shoot his hands and play off blocks, but this is one area where he can improve. Against the pass, he easily mirrors running backs and tight ends; there are even examples of him matching up and redirecting vs. slot receivers."
In addition to his physical traits, there is Edmunds’ age. He doesn’t turn 20 until a few days after the Draft. To have played three seasons and have that experience at just 19 is incredible. He’ll make some young mistakes, but having him learn under Fangio is something to behold.
Some have Edmunds as an outside linebacker but I feel he’ll be a better fit on the inside. He plays both well, so Fangio can move him around.
It’ll be interesting to see who goes first between Roquan Smith or Tremaine Edmunds. When you look at Smith he’s the finished product. With Edmunds, you see how good he is now, but you feel he can be so much better. As the saying goes, “He still doesn’t know what he doesn’t know.”
Next: 5 Defensive tackles to target in the draft
Scouts have trouble using comparisons on Edmunds. His rare package of abilities is something that we don’t see in the league at the moment. Some have thrown the name Brian Urlacher as a physical comparison. Urlacher was about 6-4 and weighed 258 when he came out in 2000. The Bears have had trouble replacing the Hall of Fame linebacker so perhaps they finally found one in Edmunds.