Terrell Edmunds was expected to be a huge reason the Steelers' defense turned the corner in 2019. He hasn't produced any of the 15 turnovers from the Steelers this season, which is the second most in the NFL, but Edmunds has been a significant contributor in their pass defense.
Over their first six games, there's plenty of evidence to show Edmunds is playing smart football and is consistently in place to cover his assignments. Let's take a look at the start to his second NFL season:
Edmunds has the most snaps on defense with 422 through six games, accounting for over 97 percent of the team's defensive plays. He's also second on the team in tackles with 42, trailing only Devin Bush. That's also good for 40th in the NFL, and 12th among all safeties.
Many of his tackles have come at crucial points where Edmunds tackled the play and limited yards after catches. His athleticism allows him to be placed all over the field and track down receivers that break into open space. That comes in handy against teams that use their receivers to clear out space for easy throws.
Watch how Seattle's Tyler Lockett breaks open on a drag route. Tight end Will Dissly motions inside of Lockett and runs a deep-in to shield off Lockett, the Seahawks' top receiver. Edmunds is in man coverage against Lockett but plays backed off to avoid getting caught up in traffic.
He reads through the Seahawks' passing concept to jump right on Lockett. Even though he allows the catch, the tackle results in a third down stop:
Stops like that are important to limit offenses that scheme to open underneath passes. But the defense also needs Edmunds to contribute around the field to prevent passes, as well. He doesn't have the best coverage numbers on the team, but he is doing well.
Through six games Edmunds has been targeted 15 times, allowing 11 catches for 129 yards, six resulting in first downs, one touchdown and two passes defended. That means he's averaging 2.5 targets, 1.8 catches, 21.5 yards and one first down per game.
Despite playing the most snaps on the team, Edmunds is only the sixth most targeted defender, meaning he's done a good enough job to not be a planned target. His footwork is an essential element to his coverage skills. He consistently closes on receivers to make tight passing windows, even on deeper routes.
Lockett tries a corner route to beat Edmunds who maintains inside leverage in man coverage. Edmunds positions himself to cut off any attempt by Lockett to cross his face, then showed solid acceleration to close on Lockett even after a push-off. He then finds the ball just in time to swat it away:
Edmunds' consistency in man coverage requires great throws to beat him. That's what happened when Russell Wilson threw a touchdown to D.K. Metcalf, the only touchdown Edmunds has allowed in 2019. Edmunds closed on Metcalf and forced Wilson to throw the absolute perfect pass. He even got a hand up to challenge the pass, but there's no defense for the perfect throw:
Edmunds' biggest area for improvement is his ball skills. Edmunds' athleticism and footwork puts him in position to challenge passes, but he often finds a ball too late to intercept it or doesn't finish when he gets the opportunity.
Watch his breakup of a pass from Phillip Rivers to Hunter Henry on a corner route. Edmunds has deep thirds responsibility on a Cover 3 zone scheme. This means he's responsible for one-third of the field behind the rest of the defense and that he essentially defends anything up the left sideline.
Rivers locks onto Henry even with Travis Benjamin running a post into open space. Edmunds locks his eyes on Rivers' and reacts to the commitment by closing on the pass and breaking it up before it gets to Henry:
But instead trying for an interception, Edmunds punches through the ball instead of catching it. It's still a good play on his part, but it's an example of how he's still not a premier playmaker to be an X-factor on the Steelers' defense.
The additions of Minkah Fitzpatrick and Bush have accounted for eight of the Steelers' 15 turnovers, making Edmunds' ball skills less detrimental to the defense and increasing the importance of his role as a safety who's above average in coverage and tackling.
Edmunds acknowledged the growth in the defense yesterday at the Rooney Sports Complex to Hunter Homistek and how they're looking to still improve:
In the long run the Steelers will need Edmunds to at least contribute at least a few turnovers. That will need to be part of the team reaching that pinnacle that Edmunds mentioned. In the meantime he's providing solid coverage and is an asset at safety.
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