STRENGTHS
Edgerrin is an athletic, lengthy linebacker who shows on film the speed and agility to be used as a spy and to cover running backs out of the backfield on passing downs. This speed and agility allow him to impact attacking the line of scrimmage and run down quarterbacks who leave the pocket to extend plays. On film, he looks to be effective covering, those big, pass-catching, TE’s and slot receivers. Edgerrin is adaptable at being used off the line of scrimmage blitzing and in combination stunts. He has the length, size, and athletic talent to play more than one position, in the front seven, for the team that selects him.
CONCERNS
Edgerrin is making impact plays because of his athletic talent and the coach’s defensive play calling. He lacks the instincts in zone coverages and on running downs and doesn’t anticipate and shed blocks to make tackles at the line of scrimmage. He also lacks the upper body strength and this affects his ability to tackle in the open field. His tackling in the open field is comprised of, throwing his body at the runner without wrapping up or lifting his head.
BOTTOM LINE: 3.17
Edgerrin has the athletic talent but he has to develop the other aspects of his game if he wants to impact at the next level. He is a very good player if he is used to attack the line of scrimmage as a spy, blitzing, or even in single coverage in the slot. In fact, he can be an impact player if he is used that way. Keep it simple, let him use his athletics gifts and leave him to his own. Don’t ask Edgerrin to be this all-inclusive linebacker who leads the team and knows every teammate’s assignment and even works well with his teammates. I’m not suggesting that Edgerrin is not smart. I’m saying that those instinctive linebacker skills, to dictate or be a coach on the field, are not part of his mental makeup. He wants to make plays so put him in situations where he doesn’t have to read and react. Put him in situations where he just has to react. Edgerrin wants to be athletic, so let him be athletic. Give him one job to do on every down and distance and he will do it. You have my permission to bust his ass when he misses a tackle otherwise, use him as a spy, on blitzes and stunts from off the line, and occasionally, in man-to-man coverage, in the slot. Edgerrin’s success at the next level will be directly related to the defensive system and how his athletic talent is used.
