A Discussion About Donovan Edwards

A few things from my eyes

Seems to be the RB that needs a certain amount of touches for maximum production. Finds a feel for the game and hits it big 

Believe he has a better NFL career then Michigan one

Don't think he has been utilized enough in a gadget role but then again Michigan didn't really need to do that to win either. Feel like Michigan has given him his touches to keep him happy. I watch how they have found Orji touches seems like the Don could have had some unique role type things to utilize his talents. 

Believe the running back room next year is going to be a battle to see who is 1,2 and 3. Some real talent there any every time I see Mullings and Hall I'm like damn they gonna be players. Unsure if he does go but feel like he will 

I'm probably going to have a take that most won't like, but here it is...

While I love what Donovan can do with the ball, I have to wonder if he wants the ball in the manner that is best suited for him to get it.  It seems like he really wants to be a bell cow RB, similar to Blake, because that is the VAST majority of how he gets the ball - handoffs for a play going through the line.  But he's not very good at going through the line.

We often ask why he's not used in the slot more often, or on wheel routes, or any number of other Percy Harvin type routes out of the backfield.  I have to believe the answer is that he doesn't want to be viewed in that capacity.  Is he actively refusing to run those plays?  Nope, I won't say that.  But I will say that the coaches are most likely predisposed to run the types of plays for him that he wants to run.

I don't like thinking this, because I believe he could be a serious threat of danger to any defense.  But as it is, they don't have to worry about his running the ball - he doesn't have the vision for it.  And they don't have to worry about him catching something out of the backfield - he doesn't run many of those routes.  When he does get a pass his way, it's almost always a crosser over the middle 10 yds deep.  The only other play would be a pitch outside.  He is simply not the threat he should be.

For this team, this year, I really think he's been a liability.  I mean, if we're screaming for his plays to be given to Mullings (and a LOT of us were in the Rose Bowl game thread), then you know opposing defenses are thinking, 'yes, please - hand it Donovan'...

Summary?  Summary - I'd love to see him used more as a pass catcher (either WR, or as a RB) rather than taking handoffs.  But if next year would be more of the same as this year, I wish him well in the draft.  We have better straight up running backs than he is.

As usual, I think it's a huge combination of factors:

• 2023 offensive line not as dominant a run-blocking unit as previous seasons;
• Increased emphasis on passing game due to improved QB play reduced RB carries;
• New clock rules eliminated many late-game rushing opportunities against exhausted/mentally defeated defenders;
• Apparent plan to keep key players healthy for 15 games led to quicker hook against weaker early-season competition;
• Big runs against unsound defenses in 2022 inflated statistical expectations for 2023;
• Increased workload in Corum's absence in late 2022 further increased statistical expectations for 2023;
• Schemes potentially designed to capitalize on Edwards' ability not needed against weaker early competition, then ineffective/not called against tougher late-season opponents;
• Emergence of Mullings adding further downward pressure on Edwards' workload;
• Edwards himself not playing well at times (relative to past performance)

I do think Edwards has had a reasonably good year if you ignore the statistics and just think about his contributions to the offense. But it's no secret Edwards himself thinks otherwise.

It's hard to predict what a 2024 season would look like for him. If JJ comes back, it could be much the same if Mullings/Hall essentially replace Corum and Edwards remains the third-down back and change-of-pace guy. But if McCarthy goes pro, M could potentially move to more of an Orjicat, run-heavy offense in which case Edwards could see significantly more carries.

I'd love to have him come back. I think Mullings and Edward's are great compliments because Mullings can run and lead block. Edward's can motion into mismatches. 

Put him in the slot and make him Percy Harvin, still is on the field every down as a threat or decoy and them you don’t telegraph your play based on personnel. I love Tyler Morris but I’m pretty sure Edwards could be WR3 and excel, even get more rushing yards. 

The coaches haven't used him effectively. But I don't know what they're supposed to do with a hybrid RB/WR who has no vision, and for a guy with his speed, has very little agility and tackle-breaking ability. It seems like his best skill is as a Martavis Bryant-type go ball merchant when he's matched up with linebackers. It's aggravating that he hasn't lined up as a receiver more, but I don't think he can be a major part of the passing game either.

I certainly didn't see him struggling this much this year but his touchdown against PSU was huge and a big reason why they won.

I hope he stays and they utilize him better next year but won't blame him for leaving either.

Also, I think if hes healthy he scores on that opening play against TCU last year and who knows what would have happened that night had Michigan went up 7-0 and didnt play from behind the whole game.

Like others have said he just seems to miss holes, go down after first contact and generally not be explosive for the most part for some odd reason

If he comes back, have him return kickoffs and punts.  I kind of wish they had him doing both all year with that speed of his maybe that will help him see holes better.

Make him the 3rd down back/slot...forgot to add..see what SF does with Deebo and try that

We have a shitload of RB talent there so his chances of getting a ton of carries is not high

The regression has been stunning.  Guy was at 7.1 ypc last year and it's halved to 3.5 this.  He hasn't hit 400 yards.  You see his sort of regession on NFL backs in year 6-7 when the tread catches up.  I always remember Shaun Alexander - stud running back age 24 to age 28, culminating in just under 2000 yards.  He was out of the league within 3 years of that.  That's what it looks like here except DE is 20 or whatever age it is.

Yes a NFL team would take him on athleticism alone late in the draft but he would  need to hit the ground running no pun intended.  He could be out of the league in 2 years if he plays like he did this year.  Or needs a position switch to the slot as he does not seem to see the hole well unless it is grand like those OSU runs. 

Love The DON and those two runs against the hairless nuts in the shoe will forever be part of Meechigan lore… however what he has produced this year on the field or has been allowed to produce will most certainly not have him as a first round pick most probably a late second round pick at best … 

Would have been nice to see him on punt returns at some point but I get not wanting the injury risk. 

1. I hope he returns - he has proven explosiveness (we just haven't find a reliable fuse/detonator) and is an above average receiver.

2. He doesn't seem to have that knack to find his own hole and accelerate through it. With Blake Corum, it is like watching mercury slither across a chem lab top - always shifting and moving.

3. Suggest he be used like the old fashion wing back - a guy who can carry the ball, can break a run and take it all the way, but is a tough match up for a LB to cover in the passing game.

Again, hope he comes back.

And Go Blue!

He isn’t particularly suited to playing in a phone booth. Since we’re almost certainly going to be playing in a phone booth again next year, I don’t really see what coming back is going to do for him.

i don't get the Mullings hype. I mean no offense to the kid but why does he play so much? He has had like 3 good runs and that one jump pass and that's about it as far as I can remember. Donny for #1 next year.

The Don is a very talented athlete and has had some incredible moments so far in the Maize and Blue.  I don't have a good feel for whether he goes pro, transfers, or comes back as RB1 next season.

That said, what I'd like to see him work on is vision, re-gapping, hitting the correct hole.  I feel he either has struggled seeing the blocking develop in front of him -or- he's tried to embody the type of downhill RB that plays between the tackles by getting the ball and going forward like a ton of bricks, damn the torpedoes.  But, that's not really his skillset.  Maybe if he tries to blend his talents of speed and cutting, with getting north/south after making a cut, he can start hitting those home runs again.

He has a nice skillset already--fast, versatile, can catch, not a fumbler.  Just needs to keep working at it.

Orji is the next Taysom Hill 

Orji is the next Taysom Hill 

He has NFL ability.  It would be really cool if he gets some space Monday night.  

Waiting for the off-season article about how he shed 10 lbs to be quicker, hit the hole faster, and how he’s using VR to help recognize his blocking.

I agree with others in that DE should be used a lot more as a receiver than a RB.  He had a drop in the Rose Bowl game but otherwise, for the most part, he has caught balls thrown his way this season.  And he certainly has the ability to go vertical and beat DBs with his speed.  If DE comes back, which I hope he does, I would love to see him in the WR position group next season.