David Edwards (offensive lineman)

David Edwards (born March 20, 1997) is an American professional football guard for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). He previously played in the NFL for the Los Angeles Rams, with whom he won Super Bowl LVI. He played college football at Wisconsin.

David Edwards
refer to caption
Edwards in 2020
No. 76 – Buffalo Bills
Position:Guard
Personal information
Born: (1997-03-20) March 20, 1997 (age 27)
Downers Grove, Illinois, U.S.
Height:6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Weight:308 lb (140 kg)
Career information
High school:Downers Grove North (Downers Grove, Illinois)
College:Wisconsin (2015–2018)
NFL draft:2019 / round: 5 / pick: 169
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of Week 3, 2024
Games played:73
Games started:48
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Early years

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During high school, Edwards played quarterback for the Downers Grove North High School Trojans. While in high school, he weighed 215 pounds, didn't lift weights, and didn't eat breakfast.[1]

Edwards was also a standout basketball player for the Trojans, starting at center for three years on the varsity level. Edwards gained the attention of numerous collegiate scouts, most notably from the University of Illinois and various Ivy League schools.

College career

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Edwards with the Wisconsin in 2018 playing against Michigan on October 13

Edwards committed to the Wisconsin Badgers in June 2014 and was initially considered to be a tight end. He was red-shirted for the 2015 season and made his first start in October of the 2016 season, playing right tackle for the Badgers.[2][3][4]

During college, Edwards started eating breakfast and gained 20 pounds in his first six months. By August 2016, Edwards had grown to 275 pounds. He gained 60 pounds between high school and his first game for the Badgers.[1][5]

After his Sophomore season, Edwards was named an American Football Coaches Association First-team All-American.[6] Edwards considered declaring for the 2018 NFL draft, but eventually decided against it. One factor that swayed Edwards was a talk with Wisconsin alumnus and Cleveland Browns player Joe Thomas, who told Edwards that he would remember his final year at Wisconsin more than his rookie season in the NFL.[7]

Prior to the 2018 season, Edwards was named pre-season second-team All-American by Sporting News,[8] Sports Illustrated,[9] and the Associated Press.[10] Edwards was also named a first-team All-American by Athlon Sports.[11]

On January 1, 2019, Edwards announced that he would forgo his final year of eligibility and declare for the 2019 NFL draft.[12]

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 6+14 in
(1.99 m)
308 lb
(140 kg)
33+38 in
(0.85 m)
9+34 in
(0.25 m)
5.28 s 1.79 s 3.05 s 4.77 s 7.69 s 25.5 in
(0.65 m)
8 ft 3 in
(2.51 m)
16 reps
All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day[13][14]

Los Angeles Rams

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Edwards was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the fifth round (169th overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft.[15] Edwards started in Super Bowl LVI and the Rams went on to defeat the Cincinnati Bengals 23–20.[16][17]

Edwards returned as the starting left guard to start the 2022 season. On October 11, 2022, Edwards was placed on injured reserve with a concussion.[18] He was designated to return from injured reserve on November 16, 2022.[19]

Buffalo Bills

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On March 23, 2023, Edwards signed a one-year contract with the Buffalo Bills.[20]

Edwards signed a two-year, $6 million extension with the Bills on March 6, 2024.[21]

References

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  1. ^ a b Sherman, Mitch (November 17, 2017). "Meet the former option QB who now anchors Wisconsin's O-line". Retrieved March 12, 2018.
  2. ^ Fiammetta, Mike (June 18, 2014). "Four-star TE David Edwards commits to Wisconsin". Bucky's 5th Quarter. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  3. ^ Pflum, Chris (February 9, 2019). "2019 NFL Draft prospect profile: David Edwards, OT, Wisconsin". Big Blue View. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  4. ^ "David Edwards | Football". Wisconsin Badgers. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  5. ^ Pflum, Chris (February 9, 2019). "2019 NFL Draft prospect profile: David Edwards, OT, Wisconsin". Big Blue View. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  6. ^ "David Edwards tabbed first-team All-America by AFCA". Wisconsin Badgers Athletics. December 13, 2017. Retrieved March 12, 2018.
  7. ^ Greenstein, Teddy (February 25, 2018). "Wisconsin offensive linemen hunger for more success after turning down NFL cash". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved March 12, 2018.
  8. ^ "Sporting News 2018 college football preseason All-Americans". Sportingnews.com. Archived from the original on September 1, 2018. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
  9. ^ "SI's 2018 Preseason All-America Teams". Sports Illustrated. August 15, 2018. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
  10. ^ "5 Badgers named to AP preseason All-America teams". Fox Sports. August 21, 2018. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
  11. ^ Lassan, Steven (June 19, 2018). "College Football 2018 All-America Team". Athlon Sports. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
  12. ^ Flood, Evan (January 1, 2019). "Edwards Declares For NFL Draft". 247 Sports. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  13. ^ "David Edwards Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
  14. ^ "David Edwards, Wisconsin, OT, 2019 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football". draftscout.com. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
  15. ^ "2019 NFL Draft Results: Los Angeles Rams select Wisconsin Badgers OL David Edwards". Turf Show Times. April 27, 2019.
  16. ^ Schwartz, Paul (February 13, 2021). "LA Rams defeat Cincinnati Bengals to win Super Bowl 2022". nypost.com.
  17. ^ "Super Bowl LVI - Los Angeles Rams vs. Cincinnati Bengals - February 13th, 2022". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  18. ^ @RamsNFL (October 11, 2022). "LA Rams Transactions: • Signed to Active Roster C Matt Skura • Reserve/Injured G David Edwards • Waived, No Recall RB Jake Funk" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  19. ^ @RamsNFL (November 16, 2022). "LA Rams Transactions: • Designated for Return, Returned to Practice G David Edwards • Reserve/Injured T Chandler Brewer, T Alaric Jackson, WR Cooper Kupp" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  20. ^ "Bills sign G David Edwards to a one-year deal". BuffaloBills.com. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
  21. ^ "Bills' David Edwards: Inks two-year extension with Bills". CBSSports.com. March 6, 2024. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
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