T.J.

Edwards

Edwards becomes one of the first players off the board in the 2023 free-agency cycle, as the former Eagle is now heading to Chicago. Edwards has emerged as one of the premiere inside linebackers in the league over the last two seasons, totaling 289 tackles, 15 TFLs, and three sacks since 2021. Edwards should immediately fill the inside linebacker spot previously occupied by Roquan Smith after the Bears traded Smith to the Ravens last season.

Edwards has dealt with hamstring issues on and off this season. He made it 21 snaps before departing in Green Bay.

Edwards started the year playing on less than a third of the Eagles defensive snaps. However, his playing has come up since then and he played on 71% of snaps last week. Edwards has one tackle for loss and a forced fumble on the year. The loss of Edwards may help clear up some running lanes for Jerick McKinnon and Jeff Wilson in the second half.

Edwards (6’1/227) made 52 starts in Madison, tallying 37.5 career tackles for loss, eight sacks, and ten interceptions and earning PFF College’s highest off-ball linebacker grade in the Big Ten in 2018. Edwards played in the 245-250 pound range at Wisconsin, however, and managed twin 4.87 40-times after dipping to 227 pounds at the Badgers’ Pro Day, sending up major red flags about his ability to transition as a pass-coverage linebacker in the pros. A good football player with a questionable ceiling, Edwards should at least offer special teams and backup inside linebacker value a la Tyler Matakevich.

Edwards (6’1/227) made 52 starts in Madison, tallying 37.5 career tackles for loss, eight sacks, and ten interceptions and earning PFF College’s highest off-ball linebacker grade in the Big Ten in 2018. Edwards played in the 245-250 pound range at Wisconsin, however, and managed twin 4.87 40-times after dipping to 227 pounds at the Badgers’ Pro Day, sending up major red flags about his ability to transition as a pass-coverage linebacker in the pros. A good football player with a questionable ceiling, Edwards should at least offer special teams and backup inside linebacker value a la Tyler Matakevich.

The coach explained that just because Edwards (6'0/230) isn’t exciting doesn’t mean he isn’t valuable because he “knows how to play.” The coach adds that their team needs someone like Edwards who’s “dependable and durable.” Edwards only participated in the bench press at the NFL Scouting Combine and posted just 16 reps. NFL Media’s Lance Zierlein compared Edwards to Giants LB B.J. Goodson and believe’s he’s a backup capable of handling starter duties.

Explains Pauline, "[Scouts] believe Edwards would have to be closer to 250 pounds to stuff the run, which is what he does well. But once he weighs 250 pounds, he’ll be more of a five-second 40 guy.” On the note of the 40, Edwards clocked in in the 4.8’s during his pro day this week, but that came with him weighing in at 235 pounds. Philadelphiaeagles.com draft guru Fran Duffy has fewer concerns, calling Edwards a “trust the tape” player. If the Wisconsin linebacker is to land in the draft proper next month, it would come on Day 3.

Edwards (6'1/242) has been polarizing in terms of his rankings in “draft season,” but Duffy appears to be a fan. As he does note, Edwards didn’t play in the Shrine Game or Senior Bowl; generally not a great sign for a prospect that isn’t viewed as a potential first-round pick. "...I’m going to stick to my guns on this kid making it as a future starter at linebacker,” writes Duffy. “I think he’s just athletic enough to be that level of player in the league, and I think he’ll test that way.”

Edwards (6'1/242) admitted that he had contemplated sitting out this showdown with Miami, but said that “it is important that I play in this game and finish this thing off right.” The redshirt senior noted that it would have been a somewhat bitter, anticlimactic way for him to go out on a loss to Minnesota, sustained at the end of the regular season. Edwards finished the prebowl campaign having recorded 103 tackles (10.5 for loss), three sacks, a pair of interceptions and a pair of passes defended. He is as active a linebacker as you’ll see, one with a killer nose for the ball -- the Wisconsin standout has picked off nine passes for his career. As hearty as that total may be, The Draft Network’s Kyle Crabbs writes that Edwards “does not have a great deal of range” in coverage and "[i]s not going to match-up well in man to man due to athletic restrictions” once he hits the NFL in the spring.

No specifics are available regarding how Edwards suffered the injury, but he was spotted wearing a walking boot earlier in the week and Chryst informed the local media on Tuesday that the 6-foot-1, 238-pounder would be out for at least the foreseeable future. Wisconsin starts up camp on August 8 and kicks off the 2016 campaign in Lambeau Field against LSU on September 3. If Edwards is not ready for the start of the season, it would be a legitimate blow to the Badgers. Last season, he led the program with 84 tackles. He also posted 6.5 TFL. Redshirt sophomore Ryan Connelly and redshirt freshman Nick Thomas should see increased reps in camp while Edwards rehabs from the injury.