In his most recent mock draft, CBSSports.com's Chris Trapasso thinks defense for the Redskins in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft with the selection of Tremaine Edmunds.
It has been seven years now since the Redskins selected a linebacker in the first round of the NFL Draft, but CBSSports.com's Chris Trapasso believes that could be the position Washington goes with this year with its first selection.
Check out these photos of Virginia Tech linebacker Tremaine Edmunds.
In his latest mock draft, Trapasso has pegged Virginia Tech linebacker Tremaine Edmunds with the No. 13-overall pick.
"Edmunds has a chance to change the way the traditional linebacker is viewed in the NFL with his off-the-chart combination of size and athletic talents," Trapasso writes. "With an underrated defensive line in front of him, Edmunds could flourish right away in Washington."
In three seasons at Virginia Tech, Edmunds collected 226 tackles (35 for loss), 13 quarterback hits, 10 sacks, six passes defensed, four fumbles forced, one fumble recovered and one interception.
During his junior season with the Hokies, Edmunds was named a first-team All-ACC selection has he recorded career highs in total tackles (109), sacks (5.5) and fumbles forced (three).
In a 27-0 victory over Delaware in September, the Danville, Va., native recorded season bests in both total tackles (14) and tackles for loss (four). He recorded seven tackles in his final college game against Oklahoma State.
As a sophomore in 2016, Edmunds started all 14 of his appearances and recorded 106 tackles (18.5 for loss) along with nine quarterback hits and four passes defensed. In an October game against Syracuse, Edmunds recorded a career-high 16 tackles. It was the first of four games in which he recorded double-digit tackles in a game.
The 6-foot-5, 250 pounder appeared in 13 games with two starts during his freshman season, recording 11 tackles.
According to his NFL.com draft profile, Edmunds's frame "is destined to become even more imposing with additional weight work."
"Feet pump and trigger like pistons. Excellent lateral quickness to scrape and stalk. Uses his size and speed to cast a wide, playmaking net and cover large swaths of grass. Twitches for a second when it is time to make a play. Spins out of blocks to find his way back into the play. Combines length with rare reactive athleticism and agility to access and tackle opportunities from unconventional angles. Captures and finishes as a tackler at highly efficient rate. Elite traits help to create sensational production across the board. Disruptive in all phases. Electric as 'add-on' rusher when back stays in. Has length and burst to affect pocket as edge rusher. Effective man cover talent with ability to match shifty running backs and bulky tight ends," his profile states.
As for a potential NFL comparison, NFL.com's Lance Zierlein likens Edmunds to 2018 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Brian Urlacher.
In 13 seasons, Urlacher recorded 939 tackles with 78 passes defensed, 41.5 sacks, 22 interceptions, 12 fumbles forced and two touchdowns.
"Edmunds combines elite size, speed and explosiveness into a productive, versatile linebacker package that will have evaluators salivating. Edmunds has posted high-impact production over the last two seasons and he still has room to get bigger and better. Edmunds will make mental mistakes and his instincts are subpar, but he has an ability to mitigate those issues with his athletic ability. Edmunds can play in any alignment at any linebacker spot and has All-Pro potential no matter where he lands," Zierlein writes.
