Tremaine Edmunds - LB - Virginia Tech

Originally posted by swaccmac1:
I like what i've seen from this kid on the field. The problem is if we draft him top ten every one will be expecting the next Lawrence Taylor. Most top ten picks fall in to three categories. Good pro and day one starter, underachiever and we spend two or three years figuring out he's not the next goat, or flat out bust. Rarely do we get an LT. lol!!!

Why would anyone expect Edmunds to be the next Lawrence Taylor? They play entirely different positions. Lawrence Taylor was an edge rusher. Edmunds is an off-ball linebacker.

Watching his WV game right now. Edmunds is tremendous in man coverage but shows poor awareness in zone coverage. THat's a problem because Saleh doesn't use his hook defenders in man. They play zone almost exclusively.

Edmunds in zone coverage here. There's a crosser developing right behind him, but he's completely oblivious. Easy completion for the first down on a 3rd and 11.



What he should be doing is keeping his head on a swivel like Roquan is here:

Originally posted by Heroism:
Watching his WV game right now. Edmunds is tremendous in man coverage but shows poor awareness in zone coverage. THat's a problem because Saleh doesn't use his hook defenders in man. They play zone almost exclusively.

Edmunds in zone coverage here. There's a crosser developing right behind him, but he's completely oblivious. Easy completion for the first down on a 3rd and 11.



What he should be doing is keeping his head on a swivel like Roquan is here:

So are you cherry picking plays here, or is this representative of your overall conclusion. I find it hard to believe Edmunds doesn't know how to keep his head on a swivel. Because I do.

Originally posted by Stanley:
So are you cherry picking plays here, or is this representative of your overall conclusion. I find it hard to believe Edmunds doesn't know how to keep his head on a swivel. Because I do.

Cherry-picked plays are not weaknesses if they're isolated incidents. These are recurring flaws.

Similar to how I pointed out his weakness on tight flow reads. If you're a former LB, you know what that means. Here's another example of that. Takes on the FB with the wrong shoulder and gives up huge run:

In order to go deep in the playoffs, you must first win your division.

In the NFC West there are two of the very best pass receiving RBs in the league outside of Pittsburgh. If you do not have linebacker play that can consistently cover those backs, you lose. Covering backs requires both skill and instinct/recognition ability.

Also, there is the importance of controlling Russell Wilson. That also requires LBs that can read and diagnose, and make the physical play.

The question then is clear; does Edmunds have those qualities?

If you are not convinced he does, then don't draft him. Assuming he will not be available in by the time our 2nd round pick comes up, do you take the chance with the 9/10? I don't.

This is the flip side of the coin. He's freakish in man coverage when his assignment is clear. 6'5" 250-pound linebackers aren't supposed to be able to carry wheel routes out of the backfield this easily. This the type of stuff that makes scouts salivate.

Originally posted by dj43:

In order to go deep in the playoffs, you must first win your division.

In the NFC West there are two of the very best pass receiving RBs in the league outside of Pittsburgh. If you do not have linebacker play that can consistently cover those backs, you lose. Covering backs requires both skill and instinct/recognition ability.

Also, there is the importance of controlling Russell Wilson. That also requires LBs that can read and diagnose, and make the physical play.

The question then is clear; does Edmunds have those qualities?

If you are not convinced he does, then don't draft him. Assuming he will not be available in by the time our 2nd round pick comes up, do you take the chance with the 9/10? I don't.

I don't. I see a physically and athletically amazing player but one who seems to lack the natural awareness for the position and gives up at least one huge play nearly every single game, usually because he's pursuing in the wrong direction or simply staring into the backfield.


He's a project. Talented. Gifted. Huge project.

Based on these things about him being a project, who should the Niners draft, then? Some fans also think Roquan Smith could be a project because of his size.

Originally posted by CorvaNinerFan:

Based on these things about him being a project, who should the Niners draft, then? Some fans also think Roquan Smith could be a project because of his size.

Roquan is the furthest you can get from a project. LBs don't need to be 240-250 lbs anymore. He's 230, the same weight as Telvin Smith.

Originally posted by CorvaNinerFan:
Based on these things about him being a project, who should the Niners draft, then? Some fans also think Roquan Smith could be a project because of his size.

I'm fine with either if Lynch believes that our staff can build up Smith or smarten up Edmunds.

Originally posted by CorvaNinerFan:

Based on these things about him being a project, who should the Niners draft, then? Some fans also think Roquan Smith could be a project because of his size.

If we stay at 9/10 (i hope & bet we dont)Josh Jackson would be my pick.

But between smith and edmunds.... give me Edmunds. He can do more for our defense and has the dreaded higher ceiling.

Originally posted by krizay:

Originally posted by CorvaNinerFan:

Based on these things about him being a project, who should the Niners draft, then? Some fans also think Roquan Smith could be a project because of his size.

If we stay at 9/10 (i hope & bet we dont)Josh Jackson would be my pick.

But between smith and edmunds.... give me Edmunds. He can do more for our defense and has the dreaded higher ceiling.

Leaning this way as well. Less guesswork with Edmunds, but prefer to go another position. Love Jackson.

Originally posted by CorvaNinerFan:

Based on these things about him being a project, who should the Niners draft, then? Some fans also think Roquan Smith could be a project because of his size.

Well Reuben is a top 5 MLB in the league and will only get better. The concern is if he makes more bonehead moves off the field. That said we can't take a guy at 9/10 in-case he does. If he gets into more trouble we will address it.

We also didn't pay Malcolm Smith 5 million to sit on the bench.

We need someone to call the plays on D and that won't be Reuben Foster. It will be Malcolm Smith.

Roquan isn't a SAM backer and we don't put a huge emphasis on the SAM backer in this scheme anyways.

So I say neither.

Originally posted by krizay:

If we stay at 9/10 (i hope & bet we dont)Josh Jackson would be my pick.

But between smith and edmunds.... give me Edmunds. He can do more for our defense and has the dreaded higher ceiling.

I'll take smith over Jackson and Edmunds all day.

Originally posted by NYniner85:

Originally posted by krizay:

If we stay at 9/10 (i hope & bet we dont)Josh Jackson would be my pick.

But between smith and edmunds.... give me Edmunds. He can do more for our defense and has the dreaded higher ceiling.

I'll take smith over Jackson and Edmunds all day.

It's really insane that people (who didn't even know if Edmunds until 2 weeks ago) are suggesting he's the better prospect. It's blowing my mind.