Savage Tracker: Updated NFL projections on Tremaine Edmunds

Edmunds named No. 1 linebacker in 2018 Draft class by Mike Mayock

February 16, 2018

It’s all-star season, which means every draft analyst in America has an opinion on the stock of various players prepping for the NFL Combine. One name that has consistently been on the rise has been LB Tremaine Edmunds (aka @Maine_Savage23) who has been ranked as ranked as high as the third overall prospect in the 2018 NFL Draft.

The Danville, Virginia native finished the season ranked sixth in the ACC with 109 total tackles. His 60 solo tackles ranked fourth in the conference and his 14 tackles for loss tied for second among ACC linebackers and ranked eighth overall in the league. Here’s a look at the thoughts of some draft analysts.

NFL.com – No. 1 overall linebacker

– Mike Mayock
bit.ly/LB1-NFL

Top five 2018 #NFLDraft prospects by position (via @BuckyBrooks)

No. 1 QB: @josh3rosen, @UCLAFootball
No. 1 WR: @CalvinRidley1, @AlabamaFTBL
No. 1 OLB: @maine_savage23, @VT_Football

FULL RANKINGS: https://t.co/8EuJdaydjA pic.twitter.com/ja1i5hvvLu

— CollegeFootball 24/7 (@NFLDraft) February 8, 2018

As more teams opt for a hybrid defense, outside linebackers with pass-rush skills are becoming hot commodities in the NFL scouting community. Edmunds is an avatar on the edge as a long, rangy disruptor with explosive quickness and hand skills to wreak havoc.
– Bucky Brooks
on.nfl.com/XVFY7y

NFL.com – No. 3 overall prospect
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. He offers tremendous upside as an edge rusher, where he can dip/rip and bend around the edge. Overall, Edmunds has All-Pro ability. His upside is outrageous.
– Daniel Jeremiah
bit.ly/3-NFL

It's almost #NFLDraft season!@MoveTheSticks' Top 10 2018 prospects 👀

📺: @seniorbowl coverage all afternoon! pic.twitter.com/kBZpXDJIGo

— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) January 23, 2018

Sporting News – No. 8 Chicago Bears
Chicago has found success through free agency on its defense, but it’s time to find high-end, young defensive talent through the draft. Edmunds is a special talent and one of the few off-ball linebackers who deserve to be drafted in the top half of Round 1.
– Eric Galko
bit.ly/8-Maine

CBSsports.com – No. 9 San Francisco 49ers
He could play the "Leo" pass-rushing spot in their scheme.
– Pete Prisco
cbsprt.co/2EtYM97

NFL.com – No. 9 San Francisco 49ers
Edmunds is one of my favorite players in the draft. He has a rare blend of size, speed and athleticism. He would be a perfect complement to Reuben Foster at the second level of the 49ers' defense.
– Daniel Jeremiah
bit.ly/Maine49ers

USA Today – No. 10 Oakland Raiders
NaVorro Bowman was a hugely stabilizing force to the Oakland run defense after switching Bay Area addresses midway through the 2017 season. But he's about to turn 30 and re-signing him is an obvious risk given his injury history. Edmunds might just project as a younger — and possibly better — version of Bowman as an every-down backer who can swallow running backs in the run and pass games, has the range to cover downfield and can also boost the pass rush if asked.
– Nate Davis
usat.ly/2EMf5iL

SB Nation – No. 14 Green Bay Packers
The Packers clearly need a pass rusher this offseason, and there are some intriguing options in the draft. Players like Arden Key of LSU or Harold Landry of Boston College may seem like more natural fits, but Edmunds has fewer questions off the field.
– Dan Kadar
bit.ly/Maine14

Football Gameplan – No. 28 Pittsburgh Steelers
Tremaine Edmunds has the type of high end physical ability that would address some of the concern in the middle of the Steelers D.
– Chris James
bit.ly/Maine-PITT

SCOUTING REPORT

Lots of upside & potential for @Maine_Savage23 at the next level!

🗞 via @CeeingTheDraft

📽 via @TheACCDN #LPD 💼 pic.twitter.com/SyNOEnMqmM

— VT Football (@VT_Football) January 13, 2018

Athlon Sports – No. 30 Philadelphia Eagles
Edmunds is going to be a hotly discussed prospect during the draft and might not even be around for the Eagles to grab if he shows out at the Scouting Combine. He’s a perfect fit for the Eagles’ defense and should play plenty for a team that is already stacked on that side of the ball.
– Bryan Fischer
bit.ly/Maine30

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