The 2018 NFL Draft is playing home to a number of promising prospects, but few are garnering the type of praise that Tremaine Edmunds has received.
The linebacker position is evolving faster than almost any position in the NFL. That’s due in large part to the combination of the renewed infatuation with 3-4 defenses and the evolution of players into stronger and faster athletes.
As the 2018 NFL Draft nears and the linebackers emerge as some of the most sought after prospects on the board, one name is consistently surfacing: Tremaine Edmunds.
There are other names worth knowing, but the consensus has become that Edmunds will be the best linebacker in this draft class. There’s no hyperbole in stating that his combination of power and athleticism is unique—and NFL minds appear to agree.
According to Lance Zierlein of NFL.com, an anonymous NFC scout went as far as saying that he’s never seen a linebacker with Edmunds’ combination of size and speed.
"“Good luck with your player comp on this one. They don’t come like him. I don’t think there has ever been a linebacker that has had his size and speed. You’re better off comping him with a basketball player.”"
That’s high praise from a pro-level scout. While it may not speak to the thought process of everyone in the NFL, it’s certainly worth acknowledging.
Zierlein attempted to make a comparison, and the name he landed on is about as lofty as they come: Brian Urlacher. Urlacher was a 6’4″ and near 260-pound linebacker whose range and toughness seemingly knew no bounds.
Urlacher, of course, was recently named a first-ballot Hall of Famer as a part of the star-studded class of 2018.
There’s no telling if Edmunds will be able to justify that comparison, but it’s an apt comparison as far as the physical gifts are concerned.
Edmunds stands at 6’5″ and 250 pounds, and he doesn’t have any trouble whatsoever carrying the weight. In addition to having elite size and strength for a linebacker, his speed is downright terrifying and his long arms make it almost impossible for ball-carriers to elude him.
Every player has flaws that need to be addressed, but if the conversation is upside, then no linebacker has more compelling potential than Edmunds.
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The question is: Will former Virginia Tech Hokies star Tremaine Edmunds justify the hype at and following the 2018 NFL Draft?