A day after signing half their draft picks, the Bills have officially inked one of their first-rounders to a deal. The team announced (via Twitter) that linebacker Tremaine Edmunds has signed a four-year contract.
The Bills had to trade up for the Virginia Tech product, sending the Ravens picks No. 22 and No. 65 in exchange for No. 16 and No. 154. Buffalo general manager Brandon Beane said he had been eyeing the Virginia Tech product, and he attempted to trade up to the 14th (Packers) and 15th (Raiders) spot to acquire the linebacker. The front office ultimately got the Ravens to pull the trigger, and the Bills got their guy.
“(Edmunds) was sticking out on our board, and it’s a need,” Beane said. “If a guy is sticking out on our board, and it’s really not a need, you might not do it. But with the hole we had there, and where he was on our board, it was a no-brainer. Even if we could have got to 14, we would have done it.”
Edmunds was considered to be one of the top defenders in the entire draft, and NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah listed him sixth in his top-50 rankings. The linebacker had a productive junior season, compiling 108 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks. The rookie will likely compete with Matt Milano and Tanner Vallejo for a starting gig.
This signing leaves the Bills with three unsigned draft picks: first-round quarterback Josh Allen, third-round defensive tackle Harrison Phillips, and fourth-round cornerback Taron Johnson.