49ers: Full scouting report for 2018 NFL Draft prospect Tremaine Edmunds

The San Francisco 49ers may be on the hunt for another linebacker in the 2018 NFL Draft, and Virginia Tech’s Tremaine Edmunds might be the guy. Let’s break his abilities down in this detailed scouting report.

Two words. Tremaine Edmunds.

As soon as I turned on the tape it was love at first sight. I was watching a player that could elevate a defense single-handedly. I got the same feeling watching current San Francisco 49ers linebacker Reuben Foster’s tape last year.

Let’s dive in on the 19-year-old, 6-foot-5, 260-pound linebacker out of Virginia Tech.

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Before I share what jumped off the paper, let’s look back at his collegiate career at Virginia Tech. Edmunds decided to forgo his senior season, and rightfully so, to enter the 2018 NFL Draft. He finished his career with 213 tackles, 10 sacks and one interception. He was named a Butkus Award finalist after tallying 108 tackles and 5.5 sacks as a junior.

I’ll be honest (so you should too) I didn’t watch one VA Tech game this year. But as soon as I turned on Edmunds tape, I saw an athlete that was carrying the defense every game — similar to defensive tackle Jadeveon Clowney as a South Carolina Gamecock in 2013. I’m not saying Edmunds should be the top overall pick this year, but I’m emphasizing his presence for Hokies defense.

One thing that doesn’t show up on paper is Edmunds tackling form. He may have the best tackling form in this draft class.

He breaks his feet down, shoots from his hips, and drives through tackles:

Another thing that will make him a top 10 pick is that he’s not a one-trick pony. He’s being advertised as just a pass-rusher, but he can play solid coverage. He stays in his backpedal, reads the quarterbacks shoulders and breaks out of his pedal to the ball:

His sideline-to-sideline range is unique against the run. He doesn’t quite cover as much ground at Georgia’s linebacker, Roquan Smith, but he stays light on his feet and takes perfect angles to the ball carrier:

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So where does he fit in if the 49ers take him at No. 9/10 in this year’s draft? You could pencil him as a day one starter at strongside linebacker over Eli Harold.

Edmunds is the whole package, and I’m not sure why he isn’t getting more recognition. But as a team picking at the tail end of the top 10, that’s a good thing for the 49ers. If he’s still on the board, this would be a no-brainer pick for general manager John Lynch. Looking at the current draft order, the 49ers’ threat of stealing Edmunds would be the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Chicago Bears.

Next: 5 linebackers the 49ers should target in the NFL Draft

Will the Edmunds fall to the 49ers? We’ll have to wait until April to find out, but pairing him with Foster would anchor a defense for years to come.

San Francisco 49ers: Full scouting report for NFL Draft prospect Tremaine Edmunds

By Ikaika Valeria | Feb 9, 2018

The San Francisco 49ers may be on the hunt for another linebacker in the 2018 NFL Draft, and Virginia Tech’s Tremaine Edmunds might be the guy. Let’s break his abilities down in this detailed scouting report.

More from Niner Noise