2018 NFL Redraft: Lamar Jackson saves the Cleveland Browns
By Samuel Teets
17. Los Angeles Chargers: Tremaine Edmunds, LB (Derwin James, S)
The Chargers acknowledged their need for an interior presence at the heart of the defense when they drafted Oklahoma’s Kenneth Murray with the 23rd overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. In the redraft, Los Angeles fixes its linebacker problem two years earlier by selecting Edmunds out of Virginia Tech.
After posting solid numbers in college and some freakish ones at the combine, Edmunds went 16th overall to the Buffalo Bills. He led the team in tackles in each of his first two seasons, and the former Hokie made his first Pro Bowl appearance in 2019.
With Edmunds in the middle of the defense, Buffalo allowed 298.3 yards per game last season, which ranked third in the NFL. The Bills also allowed the second-fewest points per game (16.2). Edmunds racked up 115 tackles, 1.5 sacks, nine passes defensed, an interception and a safety.
Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier told NFL.com in a recent interview that he’s impressed with how Edmunds stepped into a leadership role this offseason.
"Well the first guy that comes to mind is just seeing Tremaine’s development in this offseason. This virtual offseason. Just the way he has been kind of bringing players together and talking with them, calling them, reaching out to them, going past his own position, the linebackers position."
Frazier went on the applaud Edmunds’ character a leadership, saying,
"I mean, to already be recognized as one of our leaders on our team and on our defense. We’re very, very fortunate to have him. He’s the epitome of what you would want one of your star players to be, one of your leaders to be."
Edmunds only turned 22 years old within the past two months, making him one of the league’s youngest stars. For a team like the Chargers, that lacked a commanding presence in the middle for years, Edmunds would be a game-changer.