Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Mike Edwards could be a massive sleeper
By Cory Kinnan
After being selected in the third round by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Mike Edwards may already be a favorite toy of defensive coordinator Todd Bowles.
When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers took Kentucky safety Mike Edwards at the end of the third round, it caused may to scratch their heads. However, Edwards has the potential to see playing time as much as first round pick Devin White and to be a huge sleeper pick for Defensive Rookie of the Year.
It has become clear that the Edwards pick has the Todd Bowles stamp all over it as he brings a great deal of flexibility to play deep over the top of the defense, in the nickel, and in the box with the big boys. Bowles has thrived with these types of players in Tyrann Mathieu and Jamal Adams throughout his time in the league, and Edwards could be his next shiny toy.
In Mathieu’s rookie season, he stuffed the stat sheet with two interceptions, nine passes defended, one sack, and six tackles for loss as Bowles’ hybrid defensive back. Adams produced six passes defended, two sacks, and nine tackles for loss as a rookie under Bowles as well.
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Edwards even has the blond hair to match that of Mathieu’s, giving the Buccaneers their own Honey Badger. Could Bowles get the same amount of production and utility out of Edwards that he got out of Mathieu during their time together with the Arizona Cardinals?
In a pass-heavy league and a division full of fire power, it is almost a foregone conclusion at this point that Edwards will see the field for Bowles’ defense, and see it often. With the star running backs in the NFC South and high powered receivers, the Buccaneers will have to run multiple defensive back packages early and often.
This should only help to benefit Edwards’ case to see the field as he could play in a variety of different packages and in a variety of different looks. Edwards should have plenty of opportunity to meet the likes of Christian McCaffrey on the boundaries and to key in on the eyes of Cam Newton and Drew Brees.
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While Edwards undoubetly will have to go through some growing pains as he transitions from college to the pros, he is in position to be the favorite of a high caliber defensive coordinator and will see a significant amount of time on the field. Do not sleep on Edwards to be a star contributor on the Buccaneers defense as early as year one.