This Eagles Player is a Surprise Breakout Candidate for 2020
By Michael Luciano
The player who might hold the keys to the Philadelphia Eagles defense taking the leap from good to great in 2020? Former Wisconsin linebacker TJ Edwards, who clawed his way onto the Eagles roster as an undrafted free agent and ended up playing 112 defensive snaps.
Edwards didn't miss a single tackle in his limited action last year, and the new starting middle linebacker in Jim Schwartz's 4-3 defense has all the tools to become one of the game's best run-stuffers.
TJ Edwards was the only LB in NFL to play atleast 110 snaps and not miss a tackle.
— Thomas R. Petersen ? (@thomasrp93) May 12, 2020
Barring a surprise, he will be the 2020 starter at MIKE. I personally haven't been as excited about an Eagles LB in a long time. #Eagles @TJEdwards8 pic.twitter.com/7nvshwGkwp
Edwards might be in for a rude awakening in his first full year as a starter, but he has the physical and mental tools to absorb that blow and become a quality starter.
Yes, the Eagles did draft Davion Taylor in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft and Shaun Bradley in the sixth round, but Taylor is more suited for an outside linebacker role. Bradley, meanwhile, lacks the tenacity and instincts of Edwards.
Should he get a touch more explosive and better in coverage, Edwards can help the Eagles forget about players like Jordan Hicks and Kamu Grugier-Hill leaving in free agency.
Just TJ Edwards blowing up David Montgomery at the hole. Love this kid pic.twitter.com/xd3LF3cwCk
— T-raw (@Whatshis40) November 7, 2019
Edwards has had to fight for every drop of playing time in the pros, and he ended up as the starting middle linebacker on a playoff team. By the end of the 2020 season, Edwards could become a household name.