Tremaine Edmunds, Bills Agree to 4-Year Rookie Contract

The Buffalo Bills locked up one of their first-round picks from the 2018 NFL draft by signing linebacker Tremaine Edmunds to a four-year contract, the team announced on Saturday. 

The Bills selected the Virginia Tech product with the No. 16 overall pick of the draft.

Edmunds is just 20 years old and may take a bit of time to get accustomed to the next level, but he figures to have a long career ahead of him if his college production is any indication. He tallied 108 total tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks and three forced fumbles in 2017 after posting 94 total tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, an interception and a fumble recovery during the 2016 campaign.

He boasts a head-turning combination of size and speed that should help him compete for playing time right away.

His NFL.com draft profile lists him at 6'5" and 253 pounds and notes he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.54 seconds.

"Good luck with your player comp on this one," an NFC scout told Lance Zierlein, per Edmunds' draft profile. "They don't come like him. I don't think there has ever been a linebacker that has had his size and speed. You're better off comping him with a basketball player."

Edmunds will use that size to help him stuff opposing rushing attacks and utilize the speed to either get to the quarterback or laterally pursue ball-carriers.

Joe Buscaglia of WKBW pointed to the natural fit from the Bills' perspective:

Buffalo struggled on the defensive side of the ball in 2017, finishing 26th in the league in total yards allowed and 18th in points allowed. It has to make significant strides to compete with the likes of the New England Patriots in the AFC East, but Edmunds will help it do just that now that he is officially signed.