Add this name to your list of sleeper picks in the 2010 draft: Armanti Edwards. A four-year starter at quarterback for the Appalachian State Mountaineers, Edwards threw for 10,392 yards and rushed for 4,361 more (5.8 avg) during his collegiate career, becoming the first ever NCAA Division I player to do so. His combined passing/rushing touchdown total was an astounding 139 TDs. That's an average of 208.5 points per year from one player alone. Edwards is a two-time Walter Payton award recipient and has led his team to four consecutive conference championships.
During the NFL combine, Edwards not only threw passes, but also ran receiver drills and even fielded punts. He could fit in as a quarterback, receiver, or kick returner at the pro level and compares to such players as the Browns' Josh Cribbs or the Patriots' Julian Edelman. He is currently projected as a sixth or seventh round pick and will be a project for whatever team signs him. However, if Edwards is able to find his niche in the NFL early on, he could prove to be a solid contributor for years to come.
During his Pro Day at App State, Edwards weighed in at 5'11" 182 lbs and clocked a solid 4.43 on the 40 yard dash. The Eagles were one of ten teams in attendance. He impressed with his speed and ability to make defenders miss, but struggled as a quarterback due mainly to his small size and accuracy. For this reason, many teams are now looking at Edwards exclusively as a WR/KR.
Currently the Carolina Panthers are the team that has shown the most interest in Edwards, inviting him for a private workout this Thursday. The Patriots, Jaguars, and Colts have jumped on board as well and should be hosting him within the next few weeks. Could the Eagles also wish to take a closer look? With the departure of Reggie Brown and the decline of Kevin Curtis, there is definitely a need for youth in the wide receiver department. A solid punt returner would also take the pressure off of DeSean Jackson. The Eagles could even use him as a QB for wildcat plays in the inevitable event that Michael Vick is traded or departs via free agency.
I have had the opportunity to follow Edwards' success during my four years at the University of Richmond, and I can say from experience that he is a game-changer. He is the type of player that coaches plan their entire game schemes around and defenders lose sleep at night thinking about. He is elusive and shifty, and has the leadership to rally his team around him. Whenever UR faced him in the playoffs, he was the player everyone was keeping an eye on at all times. Even though he has never taken snaps as a receiver or return man, he has enough raw talent that a good coaching staff could mold him into a weapon. It might not be a bad idea for the Eagles to use one of their sixth-rounders on him or even scoop him up should he hit the rookie free agent market.