Another UDFA RB Gem at Rookie Camp

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  • NorthCoast
    Legend
    • Sep 2008
    • 25579

    Another UDFA RB Gem at Rookie Camp

    Steelers New UDFA Running Back Daijun Edwards Turning Heads At Rookie Mini Camp
    Story by Anthony G. Halkias II, Steeler Nation ?

    ? Joshua L. Jones / USA TODAY NETWORK

    The Pittsburgh Steelers welcomed a small, but promising undrafted free agent class this year. Despite its size, this group of signings is already making waves at rookie mini-camp.

    Among these undrafted free agents is Georgia's running back Daijun Edwards. Standing at 5' 10" and weighing 207 pounds, Edwards went undrafted due to concerns about his size potentially limiting his role as an every-down back in the NFL.

    However, the Steelers saw potential in Edwards, recognizing his dominance in the highly competitive SEC, widely regarded as the premier conference in college football. Over his tenure with the Bulldogs, Edwards amassed an impressive 2,084 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns in 51 games. Notably, he led the Bulldogs with 880 rushing yards in the 2023 season.
    From the onset of rookie mini-camp, Edwards wasted no time making an impact and turning heads. Mark Kaboly, a Steelers reporter for The Athletic, singled out Edwards as a player that Steelers fans should keep a close eye on as he continues to impress.

    The Steelers boast a formidable running back duo in Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren. However, the decision to decline Harris' fifth-year option has sparked uncertainty regarding the future of the position in Pittsburgh.
    Reports emerged on Thursday suggesting that Harris had requested the option decline, prompting speculation about his desire to remain with the team. His agent swiftly refuted these claims, asserting their inaccuracy. Nonetheless, the transient nature of the running back position necessitates a continuous influx of talent. The emergence of Edwards, an undrafted free agent who impressed from day one, has injected excitement into Steeler Nation.
    [url=https://flic.kr/p/2pQynaN][/url][url=https://flic.kr/p/2pQynaN]capture2[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/191750946@N04/]R W[/url], on Flickr
    The Steelers consider themselves fortunate to have secured Edwards, who excelled over the past two seasons with one of college football's premier teams, culminating in a National Championship victory in 2022. Assuming the role of feature back as a junior and maintaining his productivity into his senior season, Edwards' track record in the competitive SEC suggests he possesses the potential to make an impact at the NFL level.

    While undrafted free agents face long odds of earning significant playing time, Edwards may draw inspiration from Warren, the Steelers' current running back who similarly entered camp as an undrafted free agent in 2022 and swiftly caught the attention of coaches. The NFL roster is rife with hidden gems, and Edwards could potentially follow in Warren's footsteps. While it's premature to anoint Edwards as the next Warren, his early promise is a source of excitement for Steelers fans as they eagerly anticipate his development throughout camp.
  • Joel Buchsbaum
    Legend
    • Jan 2021
    • 7362

    #2
    He's a slug ( 4.71 c40 ) who played on a talented college team. He is neither big, fast, or strong. I doubt he makes the Steelers game day roster.
    Tomlin hasn't won a playoff game in seven years and counting. The earliest will be eight years. I guess that in Art Rooney's II, opinion is worth a 3 year extension.

    Our 2024 draft looks to be grade A. Our 2023 draft is an A. The roster is talented, but Mike Tomlin is still the head coach.

    *** Mike Tomlin is the best coach since the AFL- NFL merger that has not won a playoff game in 8 seasons or more. It's either him or Lewis. ***

    Comment

    • Oviedo
      Legend
      • May 2008
      • 23698

      #3
      Originally posted by Joel Buchsbaum
      He's a slug ( 4.71 c40 ) who played on a talented college team. He is neither big, fast, or strong. I doubt he makes the Steelers game day roster.
      Warren was only 4.55
      "My team, may they always be right, but right or wrong...MY TEAM!"

      Comment

      • Iron City Inc.
        Hall of Famer
        • Jun 2013
        • 3142

        #4
        Let him come to Latrobe and compete. That's what it's all about.

        Comment

        • WindyCitySteel
          Legend
          • Nov 2011
          • 15001

          #5
          Originally posted by Iron City Inc.
          Let him come to Latrobe and compete. That's what it's all about.
          Exactly, we should be trying out UDFA backs every year, lots of them.

          Comment

          • Northern_Blitz
            Legend
            • Dec 2008
            • 23510

            #6
            Originally posted by WindyCitySteel
            Exactly, we should be trying out UDFA backs every year, lots of them.
            Yep.

            I'm happy that there are positive reports about this guy.

            But my guess is that you can't learn much about RBs before people start hitting each other.

            Comment

            • Buzz
              Legend
              • Dec 2017
              • 8181

              #7
              Vision, shiftiness, balance, durability, and tenacity may all be more important than 40-yard time... after all, how often is a RB going to be running for 25+?

              Not expecting a lot out of the dude, but let's give him a chance to show what he's got

              Comment

              • Chucktownsteeler
                Legend
                • May 2008
                • 6636

                #8
                You can measure a lot, but you can’t measure heart. Let’s see what he has before we pass judgement.
                Help me find my post proving I am a Yinzer!

                Comment

                • Shawn
                  Legend
                  • Mar 2008
                  • 15129

                  #9
                  Originally posted by Joel Buchsbaum
                  He's a slug ( 4.71 c40 ) who played on a talented college team. He is neither big, fast, or strong. I doubt he makes the Steelers game day roster.
                  Have you actually watched him? He has sudden feet and plays with terrific football speed. Shifty, slippery with very nice vision for cutback lanes. I’m actually a bit surprised he wasnt drafted. I think he will stick.
                  Trolls are people too.

                  Comment

                  • feltdizz
                    Legend
                    • May 2008
                    • 26964

                    #10
                    Originally posted by Iron City Inc.
                    Let him come to Latrobe and compete. That's what it's all about.
                    yep, a lot of workout warriors struggle once those pads come on. Vice versa as well. Some people play better than they test.
                    Steelers 27
                    Rats 16

                    Comment

                    • Oviedo
                      Legend
                      • May 2008
                      • 23698

                      #11
                      Originally posted by Shawn
                      Have you actually watched him? He has sudden feet and plays with terrific football speed. Shifty, slippery with very nice vision for cutback lanes. I’m actually a bit surprised he wasnt drafted. I think he will stick.
                      Why actually watch games? Just read PFF
                      "My team, may they always be right, but right or wrong...MY TEAM!"

                      Comment

                      • Shawn
                        Legend
                        • Mar 2008
                        • 15129

                        #12
                        Originally posted by Oviedo
                        Why actually watch games? Just read PFF
                        Ahh my bad. We all know how credible PFF takes on players are.
                        Trolls are people too.

                        Comment

                        • Iron City Inc.
                          Hall of Famer
                          • Jun 2013
                          • 3142

                          #13
                          Originally posted by Shawn
                          Have you actually watched him? He has sudden feet and plays with terrific football speed. Shifty, slippery with very nice vision for cutback lanes. I?m actually a bit surprised he wasnt drafted. I think he will stick.
                          Shawn you've always been one of the best here on breaking down prospects.
                          Got to watch some tape on Edwards and short area quickness is there. Vision is good. Plays with some nice contact balance. Georgia ran a bunch of counter power and we'll see some of that out of our O under Smith this year. Edwards got to the edges okay so he's not just a plodder imo.
                          Long speed I would say no. He is a hands catcher so if he can at least chip and separate on underneath routes as say a 3rd down back yeah he could help there.
                          Special teams is an area he'll need to excel in if he wants to stick and get a hat on game day. He has a shot. May never be a star and that's okay but he could contribute. Looking forward to watching this rook at Latrobe.

                          Comment

                          • Shawn
                            Legend
                            • Mar 2008
                            • 15129

                            #14
                            Originally posted by Iron City Inc.
                            Shawn you've always been one of the best here on breaking down prospects.
                            Got to watch some tape on Edwards and short area quickness is there. Vision is good. Plays with some nice contact balance. Georgia ran a bunch of counter power and we'll see some of that out of our O under Smith this year. Edwards got to the edges okay so he's not just a plodder imo.
                            Long speed I would say no. He is a hands catcher so if he can at least chip and separate on underneath routes as say a 3rd down back yeah he could help there.
                            Special teams is an area he'll need to excel in if he wants to stick and get a hat on game day. He has a shot. May never be a star and that's okay but he could contribute. Looking forward to watching this rook at Latrobe.
                            Good break down. I would agree. Hes not a sure thing to make the team but he has some things to like. Quick more than fast. He plays faster than his 40 time. Im eager to see what he can do.
                            Trolls are people too.

                            Comment

                            • SteelerOfDeVille
                              Legend
                              • May 2008
                              • 8836

                              #15
                              Originally posted by Shawn
                              Have you actually watched him? He has sudden feet and plays with terrific football speed. Shifty, slippery with very nice vision for cutback lanes. I?m actually a bit surprised he wasnt drafted. I think he will stick.
                              "co-signing" this... The day he was signed, I actually said he had a really good chance to make the 53 (unless someone unexpected showed up).

                              Same as I did for Warren a couple of years ago.
                              2013 MNF Executive Champion!

                              DeVille's final Mock
                              1.20 - Tailiese Fuaga, OT, Oregon St
                              2.51 - Zach Frazier, C, WVU
                              3.84 - Luke Mccaffery, WR, Rice
                              3.98 - Andru Phillips, CB, Kentucky
                              4.117 - Maason Smith, DT, LSU
                              6.178 - Travis Glover, OT, Ga State
                              6.195 - Dillon Johnson, RB, Washington

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