Mike

Edwards

The veteran defensive back appeared in all 17 games for the Chiefs last season. He will probably be one of the first safeties up on the workout circuit.

Edwards was injured very early in the game and immediately went to the sideline. Edwards totaled 51 tackles, one sack, and one interception for the Chiefs this season and also tallied a pick in last week’s Wild Card win over the Dolphins. He was replaced by safety Deon Bush, who appeared in six games for the Chiefs this season.

Edwards (5’10/205) made 44 starts on the Wildcats’ backend, tallying ten career interceptions and earning second-team All-SEC as a senior. PFF College charted Edwards with 33 defensive stops in 2018, which led all SEC safeties. Edwards registered a 4.5-flat forty and 37-inch vertical at UK’s Pro Day, showing ample athleticism in the pre-draft phase. Edwards’ tape reveals a versatile cover man with plus ball skills and experience at both deep safety and slot corner.

Miller’s full quote on Edwards (5'11/203): “Edwards has value as a combo defensive back who can work in single-high sets, but might have his best value playing in the slot as a hybrid cornerback and safety.” The Kentucky product isn’t as big as other safety prospects heading into the draft, which may limit how high he is selected. Compared to former Cardinals S Rashad Johnson, Edwards is projected to be either a late-Day 2 or early-Day 3 pick in this month’s draft.

Edwards (5'11/203) is a late entrant into the testing pool, as he has been on the recovery trail from a broken thumb this offseason and was only just cleared to begin working out three weeks ago. He notched a 4.52-second run through the 40-yard dash on Monday, plus a 37-inch vertical jump. Alas, a strained hamstring on his second sprint through the 40 prevented him from taking part in agility or position drills. Edwards will be off to Indy for medical rechecks set to take place on Wednesday as he looks to try to sneak his way into Day 2 later this month.

Edwards (5'11/203) may be a smudge faster than he ran today because he only started working out three weeks ago (broken thumb). Edwards also managed a 37-inch vertical, but he didn’t get times in the agility tests due to hamstring tightness. Overall, Edwards had a good pro day, but the results of his medical recheck in Indianapolis will dictate where he’s drafted. Consider Edwards on the Day 2/3 borderline for now.

Edwards (5'10/205) is described by Zierlein as a “versatile defensive back with above-average instincts, awareness, and toughness.” He didn’t participate in the NFL Scouting Combine but still could find “early starting work.” He played well last season, leading all safeties in the SEC in run-stops. Edwards is likely a fringe Day 2/3 selection at this point.

Edwards (5'10/205) posted 10 more stops than the next closest safety with 33. He racked up 190 total tackles and 10 interceptions in his four seasons at Kentucky. Despite not participating in athletic testing at the NFL Scouting Combine, there’s a solid chance he’ll be a Day 3 selection.

The injury happened in the middle of the third quarter, and it happened on a touchdown by Andy Isabella of UMass where Edwards collided with a pair of South teammates. He was helped off the field, and his day is likely done. He currently projects as a Day 3 selection.

Edwards has been a stalwart for the Kentucky defense for the last four years, and he showed the ability to play close to the line of scrimmage with 9.5 tackles while also intercepting a pass and coming up with six deflected passes. He gets quality reviews for his ball skills and smarts, and both will be on display in Mobile this January. He has a real shot of being a Day 2 selection.