Following the season opener, the Pittsburgh Steelers introduced again one in every of their very own in security Terrell Edmunds. The group’s first spherical choice within the 2018 draft, Edmunds performed his first 5 seasons within the Metal Metropolis, since spending time with the Philadelphia Eagles, Tennessee Titans, and Jacksonville Jaguars.
With different groups, defensive alternatives have been far lower than his time with Pittsburgh. Contemplating this, together with Minkah Fitzpatrick and DeShon Elliott within the fold, his probably rapid position might be on particular groups. So, I wished to have a look at his profession contributions in that regard.
Listed below are safeties common season snaps and grades on particular groups since 2018, with Edmunds outcomes highlighted:
What jumps out immediately is Edmunds most up-to-date 2023 season, the place he was comfortably above the imply in snaps and grades amongst safeties within the six-year pattern dimension (71.8 grade, 217 snaps). He was a core particular teamer, taking part in on 5 items.
Although his closing 2022 season with Pittsburgh was far much less alternative (107 snaps), Edmunds posted his finest profession particular groups grade (75.1). Very encouraging to see, displaying development the final two seasons and changing into an above common particular teamer.
Previous to this, Edmunds spent far much less time on particular groups as a defensive starter, with effectively below-average alternatives, together with under the imply grades. His 2018 rookie 12 months included his most particular groups snaps in a season (222), eerily comparable alternative to final season, however the high quality was much better within the latter.
For instance, Edmunds had three particular groups tackles however two missed tackles in 2018, in comparison with seven complete tackles and no misses in 2023. He additionally earned a strong 80.2 tackling grade on protection in 2023, rating eleventh amongst safeties (min. 450 snaps).
Talking of his protection, an encouraging reality on Edmunds was move dashing. Listed below are safeties complete move rush grades, and in true move units (eliminating performs that assist out the offense, akin to play motion, screens and RPOs.):
Edmunds was a key contributor as a move rusher in 2023. His 76.1 move rush grade ranked solidly at tenth, however shined even brighter in true move units with a wonderful 90.3 grade that ranked fourth-best out of the 55 qualifying safeties. This included three pressures and two sacks in totality on 17 move rushes. Two pressures and each sacks got here in true move units, with the latter additionally tying for fourth-most.
That manufacturing isn’t an outlier both, together with one other two sacks in 2022 with Pittsburgh, making for back-to-back campaigns. Edmunds additionally supplied at the least 4 pressures and one sack in 4 out of 5 years with Pittsburgh with a grand complete of 25 pressures and 7 sacks in his profession.
Whereas it’s a wait-and-see recreation on what Edmunds’ position and alternatives will seem like, the findings of Edmunds strengths on protection and particular groups have been encouraging to search out.
With so many particular teamers that Pittsburgh misplaced from final season, and fewer than fascinating ends in 2024 total, the information factors to Edmunds hopefully being a pleasant contributor to a constructive pattern for the unit. Pairing this along with his expertise within the Steelers protection, and offering versatile alignments all through his profession (together with deep, field, and slot), the depth within the secondary additionally appears to be like brighter.
If Edmunds seeing the sphere involves fruition, right here’s to hoping the reunion and the findings pan out in addition to it seems on paper.
