A Discussion About Donovan Edwards
Yesterday we had a discussion about Semaj Morgan, and why not have one about his high school teammate?
Discussion Points To Consider:
- Used as a decoy on key Corum catches (pretty cool)
- Would be fun to get the ball more but has been challenged hitting the hole. I'm surprised to see he only has a 3.5 YPC average this season- which is his worst average of his career.
- Always one of the most talented on the field and can break open a game (Purdue TD catch). As a receiver, his average has dropped this year as well but has 12 more catches than last year.
- Has never had an incomplete pass. 3/3 for 109 yds and a TD with big completions against Iowa in 2021, and OSU in 2023. Also part of that trick play back to JJ in the Rose Bowl. His pass to Roman against Iowa was the cleanest TD you will ever see thrown by a RB. Does he have one more in him?
- Last game of the season, can't hold anything back here. Possible punt returner?
- Look ahead to 2024 - probably wants his star to shine in the NFL, but would be a hell of a combo with Mullings who I want to see get 20 touches a game next year.
-Conclusion - is Michigan's version of Taysom Hill which is weird to say considering his recruiting profile.
January 3rd, 2024 at 11:18 AM ^
Anyone else concerned he could be a transfer risk?
I'd have to imagine he's going to want more touches...to showcase his skills for the NFL.
Doesn't seem likely he'd leave for the NFL at this point. Would he even get drafted? He probably has early-round skills...but didn't really show them this year.
(Sorry if I'm coming across as negative. I think his lack of ability to showcase his skills is partially on the coaches and how he was used. That being said, it is difficult to criticize a coaching staff that's overseen a 14-0 season thus far.)
January 3rd, 2024 at 11:20 AM ^
Blake has so many touches and those have to go somewhere. He'd have to get the lion's share, right?
January 3rd, 2024 at 11:23 AM ^
It would definitely be his job to lose
January 3rd, 2024 at 12:49 PM ^
Kalel Mullings has looked better as a pure runner than Edwards has this year. TBH, it looks like Mullings should be the lead back next year, with Edwards playing a similar role to what he has done this year.
January 3rd, 2024 at 1:25 PM ^
I don't think you're wrong about Mullings being a better pure runner. I also understand that we haven't seen Edwards do anything that should indicate he's a lock for the spot this year.
Do you think Edwards has a higher upside? Do you think his game will improve with 15-25 looks as a feature back instead of 5-15?
I worry about upside for Mullings -- understanding we haven't seen him as a feature back either
January 3rd, 2024 at 1:29 PM ^
Mullings is also a much better blocker than Edwards.
January 3rd, 2024 at 1:35 PM ^
I think Edwards has higher upside as an all-purpose back, but Michigan doesn't use its backs as all-purpose backs. That goes back a decade or so. I would love it if Michigan incorporated its backs into the passing game more often like it did on Monday, when Corum got a couple catches and Edwards got targeted. It's just not going to be a part of a Harbaugh offense, and we have lots of years of evidence to back that up.
Mullings is a better fit for what Michigan wants to do. This goes back to De'Veon Smith, Hassan Haskins, Corum, etc. Michigan wants a bruiser in the backfield, and Edwards isn't that. I think he's just a change-of-pace guy here, not a bell cow.
January 3rd, 2024 at 6:39 PM ^
The part I just cannot understand (and probably everyone else here) is WHY?
WHY are they so averse to doing this?
January 3rd, 2024 at 5:49 PM ^
I disagree. He's a phenomenal athlete but he is not a natural runner. Brian has been banging the table about using him as a Percy Harvin type of player and I think that's the only way he's going to get consistant touches here as he is just not consistantly effective enough as a traditional half back to be a 20 carry a game guy
January 3rd, 2024 at 11:46 AM ^
If he comes back next year, he'll get more carries next year than he did this year, but I don't think he's keeping Mullings off the field in any significant fashion. And then depending on how Cabana performs, maybe he starts taking some snaps as the third down receiving back.
January 3rd, 2024 at 11:59 AM ^
Right now I see Mullings getting the majority of the work. Edwards hit two big runs against OSU but he simply does to fill the role of what Michigan wants a RB to do. Honestly I’m pretty shocked he was not used as the primary punt returner this year.
January 3rd, 2024 at 11:20 AM ^
On the same page. Would be sad to see him go to the NFL because he has more to show, but could understand how a GM would take that talent. I hadn't thought about the transfer option, but it is a possibility and worse case scenario.
Its hard to see him beating out Mullings for the 1A role considering Mullings is a literally mooseback. I was dumbfounded when he started playing 2 years ago and now I understand why.
January 3rd, 2024 at 1:30 PM ^
Man I love DE but I don't see how any NFL GM looks at his body of work, especially his recent body of work, and spends a draft pick on him. Perceived talent means nothing, its how you actually perform. Yes, he's had some good moments in the past but he has really been a non-factor this year, which is incredibly surprising.
January 3rd, 2024 at 2:08 PM ^
Well, you can absolutely spend a draft pick on him. He's fast, he can catch the ball, and he can make big plays. He also has some value when it comes to those occasional halfback passes, trick plays, etc. You generally aren't going to find that skill set in the UDFA market.
But he's certainly not a 1st round talent like some thought.
January 3rd, 2024 at 11:27 AM ^
I want him to do what's best for him. If he feels he needs to go somewhere where he's going to be the sole featured back, then he should consider it.
I just want him to recover from what's been a bad year and get back on track.
January 3rd, 2024 at 1:48 PM ^
Why not make him our WR1? He'd still be able to do a few trick plays or even run the ball occasionally but wide receiver would be his primary focus. He sure as hell has the skill set for it.
January 3rd, 2024 at 1:51 PM ^
You think he would get any separation from a guy like Will Johnson or Mike Sanristil? You really think that?
January 3rd, 2024 at 2:14 PM ^
Most great receivers aren't getting too much separation against All-Americans. I think he would compete against them though if he slimmed down.
January 3rd, 2024 at 3:25 PM ^
Make him the slot WR and you've got my vote. You want him matched up on a NB or a LB where he has the advantage, not on a CB1.
I would love to see some 2-back sets with him motioning for a screen or just splitting out wide.
January 3rd, 2024 at 11:30 AM ^
I don't think that's being negative, I think it's a very real possibility. He's talked about getting to the NFL for awhile, so I assume that's where he's heading after this year, but if he's getting 'UDFA' vibes I could see him going somewhere else as the 2nd most likely option, and sticking around Michigan for a senior year as the least likely.
January 3rd, 2024 at 11:36 AM ^
Agree. I think him being on Michigan's roster next year is the least likely of the three outcomes and honestly, that's probably the best decision for him.
January 3rd, 2024 at 11:42 AM ^
I think it's unlikely he transfers. He's either going pro or coming back with some assurances to be the feature back here and show what he can do as *the* guy. While we've seen some good things from other backs on the roster, I think he's clearly the next up.
Transfer would make sense in my mind only if he gets feedback from the NFL that his future is more at receiver and he wants to go to someplace to get a ton of touches he won't get here.
January 3rd, 2024 at 1:14 PM ^
He isn't getting assurances from this staff he'll be the guy. He'll be told he can compete, that's it.
January 3rd, 2024 at 1:31 PM ^
This, 100%. Meritocracy
January 3rd, 2024 at 11:45 AM ^
His skillset and sky high potential that hasn't been displayed yet seem to come up a lot around here as a reason for him to stay, but if he has all these abilities that we think he does, then NFL scouts see it, too. This would also present him the opportunity to be a combine darling and improve his draft stock by putting up numbers and crushing some drills.
January 3rd, 2024 at 1:09 PM ^
Everyone is an athlete in the NFL. His lack of vision is not going to improve in drills against air. RBs are good for one contract in the NFL unless you are the top 15 guys like a CMC.
Someone will draft him in the 5th and take a chance because those are fliers at that point. Blake is probably going 2nd or 3rd round based on position value so I don't know who is going to take DE higher whatever the metrics on how he jumps or shuttles.
January 3rd, 2024 at 2:53 PM ^
You're right. NFL GMs have never collectively sent a player's draft stock zooming up the charts after seeing how fast they can run, how high they can jump, etc. Not ever.
January 3rd, 2024 at 11:58 AM ^
I wouldn’t blame him… the coaches don’t know how to use his skill set properly. He’s more of a Deebo Samuels, Curtis Samuel, Percy Harvin kinda player and we line him up like he’s just Corum’s backup.
January 3rd, 2024 at 12:30 PM ^
Those guys all had elite vision, Donovan Edwards isn’t good and that’s why the coaches don’t utilize him more.
Believe it or not, the 14-0 coaching staff of the best team in football only gives him a few touches a game for a reason. The staff that is making a point to utilize Semaj Morgan didn’t just forget to utilize Edwards, he hasn’t earned shit this year
January 3rd, 2024 at 1:19 PM ^
He has 30 receptions this year vs last. CoJo and Roman check in at 45. Those are full time WRs. Loveland has 42 that's our man receiving TE. Barner has 22.
What the hell more do you want the coaches to do - guy hasn't performed and it surely isn't a thing he is blowing it up in practice and then suddenly sucking in games. He has been given all sorts of opportunity and utilization.
He is none of those guys you mentioned - you hope he can be a Clyde Edwards-Helaire which was drafted on being a receiving RB.
January 3rd, 2024 at 2:01 PM ^
Couldn't disagree more. When's the last time he has run a wheel route or a crossing route against a LB? A go route or post that wasn't a decoy this year? That's happened maybe 2-3 times. How about lining up in back field and flexing out to the Z to leave and empty back field and DE with a mismatch? It seems that most of the passing plays too him either didn't take advantage of a mismatch, weren't designed to get him in space, or were part of some kind of junk play.
The offensive staff has been awesome this year but I'm not sure this is what DE had envisioned when coming back this year. He certainly has regressed as a RB but I think he has so much more potential as a WR and I'd love to see it happen here. I'm just not sure it will.
January 3rd, 2024 at 1:24 PM ^
I don't really get why discussions about DE always seem to be based on the premise that he's an NFL talent that we just aren't utilizing correctly. I just don't see it. He has elite speed and is a fluid pass catcher for a running back. But if he can't get it done as a running back, which at this point is pretty clear, then that just makes him a middling slot receiver. He seems like a good dude and I want him on the team, but any hopes of him becoming a star player if our coaches can only find that one weird trick DCs hate evaporated a long time ago, IMO.
January 3rd, 2024 at 12:30 PM ^
Personally I am not expecting him at Michigan next season, and I'm not mad or being cynical at all. His skillset just doesn't fit into what Michigan does. His touches have largely been setting downs on fire all season. Mullings should be the featured back. So whether he finds that somewhere else either in college or the pros, good luck to him.
January 3rd, 2024 at 12:34 PM ^
I would not be surprised if he has a transfer at the end of the season. There is a huge log jam at the running back position.
January 3rd, 2024 at 2:21 PM ^
That’s a scenario I had not thought of but now you mention it a transfer really wouldn’t be that shocking.
I really hope he sticks around another year. If he’s thinking NFL he needs to show more as he might not even get drafted. I think next year he would get more touches and can display more of his skill set. Will be interesting to see what he does
January 3rd, 2024 at 2:23 PM ^
Transfer? Only if there’s an internal issue or dissonance we’re unaware of. I don’t think UM would let him go and he’s waiting for featured back status. Corum is the best RB to come through Michigan since Hart and I think he’s better than Mike was. So… sitting behind a generational talent takes time.
Listen, I like Mullings. Hell, we all do. And he’s proven himself extraordinarily useful situationally many times. But that’s just it - he’s a great situational RB and at times, FB (Bredeson but allowed to run with/handle the ball). Hence the term Moose Back.
All that said, I can’t envision a scenario Mullings is given 20+ carries a game and they continue to use Edwards as a change of pace back. Good RBs need rhythm and usually 2-3 series each game before they establish themselves. It’s clear he wants to go out with this year’s class but I think he’ll be a bridge player for next years team and a damn good one at that.
January 3rd, 2024 at 7:25 PM ^
I wish you were right-and it's likely that everyone else does too...but sadly, your take is only wishful thinking. Mullings needs to be on the field next week-and next year.
January 3rd, 2024 at 11:19 AM ^
I went from "this is Blake's and Donovan's last year" to "Donovan has to be the bellcow in 2024" many weeks ago. Hope I'm right and he thrives next year for us!
January 3rd, 2024 at 11:28 AM ^
maybe it was the coaches playing chess all along
January 3rd, 2024 at 11:57 AM ^
If Donovan edwards is a bellcow next year, michigan will be lucky to go 7-5
January 3rd, 2024 at 12:05 PM ^
I don’t think it’s jumping to conclusions to say that the player who has been very bad for michigan All year in a lesser role will probably do even worse in a much larger role. Need a real running back
January 3rd, 2024 at 12:16 PM ^
You'd think Edwards kicked your dog or something.
The talent is there, and if he returns as the lead back next year I'm interested to see what he can do when he's getting the majority of snaps/carries. It's gotta be tough finding a groove when you are getting 10 or less carries in most games. For the season he averaged 2 carries per quarter, or less than one per drive. Impossible to find any sort of rhythm.
I agree that he goes down on first contact far more than I'd like, but I'd be happy to have him back next year. No need to poop on him like you are.
January 3rd, 2024 at 12:49 PM ^
I also think you'd see a concerted effort to play more to his strengths.
They didn't this year, because they had Corum back and Corum is the #1 guy. Sure, would have liked to see them utilize Edwards more to his strengths, but not at the cost of what makes Corum and the run game so dangerous to opponents. There are so many weapons on the offense, and Edwards was just never really able to showcase his abilities this year outside of a couple runs against Penn State.
January 3rd, 2024 at 1:21 PM ^
He had nearly 1K yards a year ago with essentially same usage - 2 less carries a game this year, and 1 more reception a game. Net net = 1 less touch a game. It would be good if people used stats vs feelings.
January 3rd, 2024 at 1:58 PM ^
Did you take a look at his splits last year?
In games where he got 15 or more carries he had 101 carries for 802 yards (7.9 ypc) in 5 games.
In games where he got 12 or less carries he had 39 carries for 189 yards (4.8 ypc) in 6 games.
This year he averaged 3.5 ypc, which is down from last year, but when you compare it to the games that he was never given the chance to find a rhythm, not that much lower. He had 0 games with 15 carries this year.
Those STATS tell me that it matters for him to get into a groove.
January 4th, 2024 at 11:28 AM ^
I don't even know what this means. Does that mean he's not going to be productive until he hits carry 16 in any given game? Why does he need to get into a groove when good running backs just go out there and, like, are good?
If a QB needed 15 snaps to get good and a LT needed 15 snaps before he stops giving up sacks, then those guys aren't on the field. Edwards shouldn't need 15 carries before he gets good. Hassan Haskins, Blake Corum, Mike Hart, etc. didn't need 15 carries in a game before they could be good.
I harbor no ill will toward Edwards. I hope he figures out a way to be successful. But we need to stop making excuses for him not being good.
I'm just going to say it: He runs soft. He doesn't like contact, and he doesn't break tackles. If he's going to be successful as a full-time running back, he has to put on some weight/strength and change his running attitude.
January 3rd, 2024 at 12:12 PM ^
You are a LONG USED GARDEN TOOL!!!
January 3rd, 2024 at 12:36 PM ^
That is an insult to post hole diggers.
January 3rd, 2024 at 2:33 PM ^
I ain't sayin she's a gold digger...