LA Rams offensive lineman David Edwards is ready to start

The LA Rams selected OT David Edwards with pick 169 of the 2019 NFL Draft, hoping for a backup. But he proved that he is ready to start in 2020.

The LA Rams entered the 2019 NFL Draft with a shopping list for NFL starters at offensive line, defensive back, and edge rusher. With no first-round pick, the most optimistic hopes would have settled for one starter from the draft class for 2019, and perhaps several special teams players who would compete for a starting role in the future.  What the team found in round five of that draft would exceed those optimistic hopes. Offensive lineman David Edwards delivered in 2019 as a starter at right guard.  For 2020, he’s ready for an even greater role on offense.

Offensive tackle David Edwards was not the highest-rated offensive lineman in the 2019 NFL Draft class. In fact, he was a middle-of-the-pack prospect.  While many loved his size and run blocking, everyone pointed out that he was new to the offensive line. A quarterback-turned tight end-turned offensive tackle as a Wisconsin Badger made him a bit of an enigma to NFL scouts.

That did not stop the LA Rams from selecting him at the undervalued 169th pick in round five. Standing 6-foot-6 and weighing 308 pounds, Edwards was the ideal size for offensive line duties.

But scouts simply did not have enough to go on. His play was just raw athleticism, and many scouts dinged him repeatedly for poor technique. While some appreciated his athleticism in run blocking, he was cited again and again for poor technique and fundamentals in pass blocking.  Most of the deficiencies were coachable corrections. The LA Rams, boasting an elite offensive line coach, did not shy away from the opportunity to add Edwards to the roster.

Clearly, the Rams saw Edwards as possessing starting potential, despite the lack of offensive line experience. And that faith was aptly rewarded in the first half of the 2019 season, as injury forded the Rams to promote him to a starting role. Edwards showed a great deal of intensity is his first start. He remained intense throughout the season.