The Buffalo Bills drafted Josh Allen and Tremaine Edmunds within nine spots of each other a few years ago in the 2018 NFL Draft. Last year, Allen experienced his breakout campaign, finishing second in MVP voting behind Aaron Rodgers.
This season, it’s Edmunds’ turn, at least according to CBS Sports NFL insider Jason La Canfora.
In his 2021 “fearless forecast” article, La Canfora predicts Edmunds will win Defensive Player of the Year honors this season.
“This guy is about to breakout in a massive way, and I get the sense the Bills already know it,” La Canfora writes. “His speed and strength and wingspan and balance and instincts are all other-worldly. He is about to register the kind of statistics that gain national attention and the mainstream acclaim that he is worthy of.”
The Bills picked up Edmunds’ fifth-year option last month, guaranteeing he’ll stay in Buffalo through the 2022 campaign. But if La Canfora is correct, Buffalo would be wise to ink Edmunds to a long-term extension as soon as possible. They freed up about $8 million in cap space after restructuring Stefon Diggs’ deal, though those saving could also go towards acquiring veterans such as Julio Jones or Zach Ertz.
There’s also, of course, Allen’s inevitable nine-figure extension.
For his part, Edmunds immediately impacted Buffalo’s defense, recording 121 tackles in his rookie season. He’s accumulated at least 115 tackles in all three of his professional campaigns, and has 5.5 sacks, three interceptions and forced two fumbles in 47 career games. The only thing holding him back is some occasional bouts with inconsistency.
It would be sweet for Buffalo’s two 2018 first round picks to be rewarded with individual honors and new deals. Much like Allen, Edwards seems poised to take the next leap forward.