The Pittsburgh Steelers welcomed a small, but promising undrafted free agent class this year. Despite its size, this group of signings is already making waves at rookie mini-camp.
Among these undrafted free agents is Georgia's running back Daijun Edwards. Standing at 5' 10" and weighing 207 pounds, Edwards went undrafted due to concerns about his size potentially limiting his role as an every-down back in the NFL.
However, the Steelers saw potential in Edwards, recognizing his dominance in the highly competitive SEC, widely regarded as the premier conference in college football. Over his tenure with the Bulldogs, Edwards amassed an impressive 2,084 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns in 51 games. Notably, he led the Bulldogs with 880 rushing yards in the 2023 season.
From the onset of rookie mini-camp, Edwards wasted no time making an impact and turning heads. Mark Kaboly, a Steelers reporter for The Athletic, singled out Edwards as a player that Steelers fans should keep a close eye on as he continues to impress.
The Steelers boast a formidable running back duo in Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren. However, the decision to decline Harris' fifth-year option has sparked uncertainty regarding the future of the position in Pittsburgh.
Reports emerged on Thursday suggesting that Harris had requested the option decline, prompting speculation about his desire to remain with the team. His agent swiftly refuted these claims, asserting their inaccuracy. Nonetheless, the transient nature of the running back position necessitates a continuous influx of talent. The emergence of Edwards, an undrafted free agent who impressed from day one, has injected excitement into Steeler Nation.
The Steelers consider themselves fortunate to have secured Edwards, who excelled over the past two seasons with one of college football's premier teams, culminating in a National Championship victory in 2022. Assuming the role of feature back as a junior and maintaining his productivity into his senior season, Edwards' track record in the competitive SEC suggests he possesses the potential to make an impact at the NFL level.
While undrafted free agents face long odds of earning significant playing time, Edwards may draw inspiration from Warren, the Steelers' current running back who similarly entered camp as an undrafted free agent in 2022 and swiftly caught the attention of coaches. The NFL roster is rife with hidden gems, and Edwards could potentially follow in Warren's footsteps. While it's premature to anoint Edwards as the next Warren, his early promise is a source of excitement for Steelers fans as they eagerly anticipate his development throughout camp.
Steelers' Jaylen Warren And Najee Harris Set For A Big 2024
The decision to decline Harris' option has ignited considerable discussion among Steelers fans. However, this move could potentially set the stage for career-defining seasons for the team's running backs. In 2023, the tandem of Warren and Harris shouldered much of the Steelers' offensive load. Now, with Arthur Smith at the helm as the new offensive coordinator, the Steelers appear poised to return to a dominant running style.
Additionally, the Steelers have bolstered their offensive line, further enhancing their prospects for success. Considering the productivity of Harris and Warren in 2023 despite less-than-ideal circumstances, Steelers fans can't help but anticipate what they might achieve in a more favorable environment.
With Edwards turning heads at camp, there's speculation about his potential impact in 2024. He may earn playing time or at least contend for the third spot on the running back depth chart. As Kaboly astutely noted, Edwards shouldn't be overlooked, and his potential contributions to the Steelers shouldn't be underestimated.
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