Where does OT/OG David Edwards fit among the offensive linemen?

[den-the-coach]

David Edwards pegged as Rams' biggest steal in 2019 NFL draft

The Los Angeles Rams came away with some great value in the 2019 NFL draft, adding players who will contribute as rookies and eventually become starters in 2020. They did so by moving up and down the board, striking six trades in Nashville.

Taylor Rapp, who they took with the 61st overall pick, looks like a steal, considering the Rams would have been “comfortable” taking him at No. 31. David Long seems like a great value at No. 79 overall, bolstering the secondary with a future starter at cornerback.


However, Draft Wire’s Luke Easterling doesn’t see either player as the team’s biggest steal. Instead, that honor goes to offensive tackle David Edwards, who they drafted with the 169th overall pick in the fifth round.

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[theramswire.usatoday.com]

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

I’m not sure how this guy knows that the Rams would be willing to take Rapp at 31. I’m not saying Rapp is a bad player but they were willing to roll the dice on him being picked by another team. How strongly did they actually feel about picking him at 31? I’ll bet there were a few other players that, if they had been available at 31, they wouldn’t trade back.

I read the rest of the article. It doesn’t give a good reason to think that Edwards was a steal. I think Gaines was the steal.

 

[dieterbrock]

Seems like one of those “throw some s#&$ against the wall and see what sticks” articles.
Pick the guy nobody talks about, if he does end up looking like a player, this article gets brought up. If he doesn’t, nobody remembers

 

[fearsomefour]

I’m not sure how this guy knows that the Rams would be willing to take Rapp at 31. I’m not saying Rapp is a bad player but they were willing to roll the dice on him being picked by another team. How strongly did they actually feel about picking him at 31? I’ll bet there were a few other players that, if they had been available at 31, they wouldn’t trade back.

I read the rest of the article. It doesn’t give a good reason to think that Edwards was a steal. I think Gaines was the steal.

I think he is looking where Rapp was widely projected....late first round early second.
Who knows where the Rams had him slotted?
Maybe the Rams had a DL they loved at 31 and since 4 or so DL were taken right before their pick they traded down because their guy was gone?
Either way it's fine.
I saw Rapp mostly slotted end first early second, so, at 61 he is a value.
The more I think about it the more I really like this draft.
In regimes past it was trying to justify a "reach" pick.
Last year and this are all about value.
Rapp, Long, Gaines, Evans, Edwards all project as good value picks.

 

[Ramstien]

The more I think about it the more I really like this draft.
In regimes past it was trying to justify a "reach" pick.
Last year and this are all about value.
Rapp, Long, Gaines, Evans, Edwards all project as good value picks.

I feel the same way and the more I learn about the UDFAs the Rams signed the more I am impressed with them. This is turning out to be a very good off season for the Rams.

 

[kurtfaulk]

I think he is looking where Rapp was widely projected....late first round early second.
Who knows where the Rams had him slotted?
Maybe the Rams had a DL they loved at 31 and since 4 or so DL were taken right before their pick they traded down because their guy was gone?
Either way it's fine.
I saw Rapp mostly slotted end first early second, so, at 61 he is a value.
The more I think about it the more I really like this draft.
In regimes past it was trying to justify a "reach" pick.
Last year and this are all about value.
Rapp, Long, Gaines, Evans, Edwards all project as good value picks.

i don't think so. their target was henderson and they knew they had to trade down to build up the ammunition to get him. knowing that they probably targeted rapp as their guy in an area they would be in once they had finished trading down.

but then you may be right.

.

 

[Rams43]

Geez, I really like the Edwards pick, but c’mon...

Rapp at 61, considering the far greater value of the higher picks, has got to be the best Ram value. Hell, he’s in steal territory, don’t you think?

Following that logic, Long must be next best value.

Then Henderson and Gaines, etc.

I will say his. Snead and McVay sure look like they’ve had a helluva offseason. Draft, FA, and maybe a gem or two via UDFA? Love these guys.

 

[den-the-coach]

FWIW I think they like Edwards feet being a former QB & TE, last year mocks had Edwards as a late first round pick, but the shoulder injury really hampered his stock this year. IMO, he might not have the length for LT, but has the feet, whereas Evans has the length, but not the feet. In the end, I truly believe the heir apparent to Whitworth is Noteboom, then possibly Edwards at LG & Evans at RG, however, that's discounting any draft choices next season.

In this draft class I believe the steal will be CB David Long, IMO, he'll be a solid CB year in and year out!

 

[snackdaddy]

I’m not sure how this guy knows that the Rams would be willing to take Rapp at 31. I’m not saying Rapp is a bad player but they were willing to roll the dice on him being picked by another team. How strongly did they actually feel about picking him at 31? I’ll bet there were a few other players that, if they had been available at 31, they wouldn’t trade back.

I read the rest of the article. It doesn’t give a good reason to think that Edwards was a steal. I think Gaines was the steal.

McVay said they woulda been comfortable taking Rapp in the first round. Doesn't mean they would have taken him. The writer just stretched the truth with that one. Also, it coulda been coach speak when McVay said that. Either way, Rapp is excellent value at 61 as many thought he would be late 1st/early 2nd. My guess is he was BPA at the time.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

i don't think so. their target was henderson and they knew they had to trade down to build up the ammunition to get him. knowing that they probably targeted rapp as their guy in an area they would be in once they had finished trading down.

but then you may be right.

.

If they wanted to target Henderson more so than Rapp then why all the finagling and just pick Henderson with Rapp’s pick?

I understand the value in projecting a players slot, but if you think they are the guy you really want?

They did that with Wagner and he would have been worth a first round pick.

I said before the draft that I thought Cooper Kupp was worth a first round pick. Turns out he was. If you like someone bad enough gambling can be risky.

 

[BonifayRam]

https://theramswire.usatoday.com/2019/05/05/nfl-rams-david-edwards-steal-draft/

David Edwards pegged as Rams' biggest steal in 2019 NFL draft

By: Cameron DaSilva |

The Los Angeles Rams came away with some great value in the 2019 NFL draft, adding players who will contribute as rookies and eventually become starters in 2020. They did so by moving up and down the board, striking six trades in Nashville.

Taylor Rapp, who they took with the 61st overall pick, looks like a steal, considering the Rams would have been “comfortable” taking him at No. 31. David Long seems like a great value at No. 79 overall, bolstering the secondary with a future starter at cornerback.

However, Draft Wire’s Luke Easterling doesn’t see either player as the team’s biggest steal. Instead, that honor goes to offensive tackle David Edwards, who they drafted with the 169th overall pick in the fifth round.

Edwards only played right tackle in college, but the Rams will try him there, as well as left guard, right guard and left tackle. He’ll be cross-trained by offensive line coach Aaron Kromer, as just about every young O-lineman is with the Rams.

Edwards, like the Rams’ other rookies, isn’t guaranteed to play in 2019. In fact, it’d somewhat surprising if he did earn a starting job as a rookie, considering his best position (right tackle) is occupied by Rob Havenstein.

However, he’ll have a chance to replace Andrew Whitworth at left tackle in 2020 and possibly even slide in at one of the two guard positions. Rodger Saffold needs to be replaced on the left side, while Austin Blythe could move back to center.

Drafting Edwards was with an eye toward the future and he could prove to be a steal in Round 5 if he turns into a starter down the line.

 

[So Ram]

Agree with David Long !! This guy could be very special as a CB !! Great value pick.

Travis Rapp at 61 ?? Another excellent value & really coming in at the right time. Sam Shield was not resigned & Barron is gone as well.Will be a good combo guy with Clay.

Evans vs Edwards ?? The Rams liked Evans better so there is that.It can’t be that big of a value pick as who Kromer likes better.
Edwards was listed as the better draft pick in a lot of mocks. He also is a great fit & where The
Rams selected Edwards. It could have been 1a & 1b but Evans was the selection.
—My view on Evans is might have a chance to be the LG ?? This guy is special in terms of what The Rams (Kromers) like at guard.His hands are great by keeping them inside. He also pulls so freaking good. Smart as in just getting to his block & knowing the plays.
—You heard it here first !! Noteboom is the LT of the future.I see Evans as a LG in fact he reminds me of Peat at NO’s. Noteboom can handle the being a guard though. So future looks good. It’s just about the Now.
—Edwards might be RG/RT ?? Who knows his upside though ?? Kromer can coach him up.In 4 years of growth could be The Rams best Lineman ??

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

McVay said they woulda been comfortable taking Rapp in the first round. Doesn't mean they would have taken him. The writer just stretched the truth with that one. Also, it coulda been coach speak when McVay said that. Either way, Rapp is excellent value at 61 as many thought he would be late 1st/early 2nd. My guess is he was BPA at the time.

I read an article about critiquing drafts. A few things really stuck out. One was about a team’s relationship to the media, or a specific member of the media, like Mike Silver and the Rams. Silver is less likely to criticize a Rams pick, but a media member that was shut out of info from the Rams would be more likely to criticize their picks. Another thing is a team’s recent success rate. The media is reluctant to bash a good team like New England than they are the Jets, or Raiders. They are playing the odds.

What stood out most though is that if a guy rated a player as a late first or second round talent, and he’s taken high, they get butthurt and bash the pick. Same thing with what they feel is a reach.

So, every time I read any draft critiques I wonder which is in play. In this case the guy believes what McVay said. And, maybe if they couldn’t make a deal and trade back they would have taken Rapp. Maybe not. Somebody claimed they were high on Baker and then Jenkins. Would they have taken Jenkins instead?

I am always skeptical of coach speak. I wonder if Abrams’ was available at 31 if he would have been the pick. I think Rapp sounds like good value where he was picked. We will just have to wait and see.

 

[So Ram]

Gains & Henderson both are perfect value picks & needs. They should get some solid reps in games.

 

[Loyal]

I don't really get the projections for guys like David Edwards to be the one who replaces Whit. Why are they disregarding Noteboom? Is it just recency bias and they can't hold that much in their brains besides the new and shiny thoughts?

I like that Edwards is well thought of and want him to succeed, but I am excited about Joe Noteboom and what he brings at LT. As for the overall draft, this is what good teams do by finding good players later in the draft....If we keep doing this, the Rams will have sustained success for years.

 

[BonifayRam]

https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2019/...e-ot-david-edwards-wisconsin-badgers#comments
2019 Los Angeles Rams NFL Draft profile: OT David Edwards

Sosa takes a look at the second offensive lineman selected by the Rams in the 2019 NFL Draft. Could Edwards have a future at offensive tackle?
By Sosa Kremenjas@QBsMVP May 3, 2019, 8:00am CDT

Next up on the draft profiles list from the 2019 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams is Wisconsin Badgers OT David Edwards.

Edwards was a four-year contributor at Wisconsin where he started over 31 games in his time there. Unfortunately for Edwards, he sustained a shoulder injury which he played with for the duration of the 2018 season.

Not a powerful run blocker, more of a guy who will just get in the way and occupy his defender. High IQ player who doesn’t struggle to see pass rush plans or pass off stunts in pass pro. Not nimble but a decent athlete who can climb to the second level and reach a linebacker. Absolutely terrible game vs Miami in 2017. Couldn’t block a soul in pass pro or in the run game. All in all, not a good run defender by any means. Will need to improve leaps and bounds in that aspect. Decent in pass pro, but struggles with shorter guys and speed rushers. He’s so tall and doesn’t bend well making it hard for him to contact them properly with his punch. Better against power/bulky rushers. Looks to me like he won’t be a guard conversion option. Shows the ability to run edge defenders up the arc past his QB.

Here’s a play where Edwards is lined up at right tackle and does a solid job in pass pro. When he can get out of his pass set efficiently and quickly, he can gain this kind of depth in his set. His punch and mirror of the edge is extremely simple because of his ability to get out of his stance quickly:

(Google AMP and Apple News readers can click here to view the clip)

Edwards is going to be a project for Run Game Coordinator/Offensive Line Coach Aaron Kromer to work with. He’s not ready to contribute in my opinion, and is likely limited to only a right tackle role because of his lack of run blocking ability. Coach Kromer will cross train him regardless, but it’s evident his best shot at NFL success will be at right tackle. Edwards needs a lot to work on, from technique, to power, to angles in the run game. Luckily for him, he wont be pressed into immediate playing time, and even barring any injury, third-round draft pick Bobby Evans should be higher in the order.

Here is Edwards’ athletic profile via MockDraftable:

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

I don't really get the projections for guys like David Edwards to be the one who replaces Whit. Why are they disregarding Noteboom? Is it just recency bias and they can't hold that much in their brains besides the new and shiny thoughts?

I like that Edwards is well thought of and want him to succeed, but I am excited about Joe Noteboom and what he brings at LT. As for the overall draft, this is what good teams do by finding good players later in the draft....If we keep doing this, the Rams will have sustained success for years.

There was an article a few months ago that said the Rams like Noteboom at LG. It wasn’t clear to me if they meant long term but I summoned that they did because it’s obvious that he was pegged to play LG in the short term, since Whitworth is the LT.

We’ll know for certain once Whitworth retires.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2019/...e-ot-david-edwards-wisconsin-badgers#comments
2019 Los Angeles Rams NFL Draft profile: OT David Edwards

Sosa takes a look at the second offensive lineman selected by the Rams in the 2019 NFL Draft. Could Edwards have a future at offensive tackle?
By Sosa Kremenjas@QBsMVP May 3, 2019, 8:00am CDT

Next up on the draft profiles list from the 2019 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams is Wisconsin Badgers OT David Edwards.

Edwards was a four-year contributor at Wisconsin where he started over 31 games in his time there. Unfortunately for Edwards, he sustained a shoulder injury which he played with for the duration of the 2018 season.

Not a powerful run blocker, more of a guy who will just get in the way and occupy his defender. High IQ player who doesn’t struggle to see pass rush plans or pass off stunts in pass pro. Not nimble but a decent athlete who can climb to the second level and reach a linebacker. Absolutely terrible game vs Miami in 2017. Couldn’t block a soul in pass pro or in the run game. All in all, not a good run defender by any means. Will need to improve leaps and bounds in that aspect. Decent in pass pro, but struggles with shorter guys and speed rushers. He’s so tall and doesn’t bend well making it hard for him to contact them properly with his punch. Better against power/bulky rushers. Looks to me like he won’t be a guard conversion option. Shows the ability to run edge defenders up the arc past his QB.

Here’s a play where Edwards is lined up at right tackle and does a solid job in pass pro. When he can get out of his pass set efficiently and quickly, he can gain this kind of depth in his set. His punch and mirror of the edge is extremely simple because of his ability to get out of his stance quickly:

(Google AMP and Apple News readers can click here to view the clip)

Edwards is going to be a project for Run Game Coordinator/Offensive Line Coach Aaron Kromer to work with. He’s not ready to contribute in my opinion, and is likely limited to only a right tackle role because of his lack of run blocking ability. Coach Kromer will cross train him regardless, but it’s evident his best shot at NFL success will be at right tackle. Edwards needs a lot to work on, from technique, to power, to angles in the run game. Luckily for him, he wont be pressed into immediate playing time, and even barring any injury, third-round draft pick Bobby Evans should be higher in the order.

Here is Edwards’ athletic profile via MockDraftable:

And some people felt he was a first round pick before the injury?

 

[Loyal]

There was an article a few months ago that said the Rams like Noteboom at LG. It wasn’t clear to me if they meant long term but I summoned that they did because it’s obvious that he was pegged to play LG in the short term, since Whitworth is the LT.

We’ll know for certain once Whitworth retires.

I always took the LG comment as a way to quiet fears about Saffolds departure and that it was a holding place for him before Whitworth retired, with the idea of getting the best 5 guys on the Oline, out there playing. Can you point to statements by Kromer or McVay that diminish Noteboom at LT? (I'm not talking about talking head, loudmouths on radio and tv)

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

I always took the LG comment as a way to quiet fears about Saffolds departure and that it was a holding place for him before Whitworth retired, with the idea of getting the best 5 guys on the Oline, out there playing. Can you point to statements by Kromer or McVay that diminish Noteboom at LT? (I'm not talking about talking head, loudmouths on radio and tv)

Nope.

I found two Ramswire articles stating different things. One said they still want Noteboom to take over at LT and the other saying that Edwards was drafted to play LT with Noteboom staying at Guard.