It’s hard to pick out just one winner from the New York Jets impressive preseason outing. Whether it’s Justin Fields, who’s one drive was seemingly enough to silence the haters for at least a week. Or Adrian Martinez, who took the field fighting for a roster spot and ended up with a 119.8 QBR. But for me, last night’s biggest winner was rookie running back Donovan Edwards.
Edwards was at one time supposed to be the face of the nation in college football. As a five star recruit, Edwards stayed in his hometown of Michigan and played four seasons for the Wolverines. He even helped the Blue and Maize lift the National Championship trophy in 2023. However, during his four seasons he never quite took that next leap.
Fast forward to his rookie season, he goes undrafted in April but is quickly signed after the seven rounds are finished. He is brought into a running back room that head coach Aaron Glenn has made clear he expects contributions from all three backs ahead of him. It was unclear how the 22-year-old would insert himself into the conversation.
He cleared up confusion Saturday night rushing for a team best 42 yards on nine carries. He could have had 73 more on an explosive touchdown run to bolster his stat line if it hadn’t been for a penalty to bring it back.
The rook also took his lone reception for 21 yards and another big play.
With several mouths to feed in the Jets’ RB room, Donovan Edwards has made himself impossible to be ignored after filling up the stat sheet in just two quarters of play.
I expect the rookie to receive first team reps this week at practice while the Jets figure out how to catch lightning in a bottle.
Donovan Edwards Unbelievable Big Play Stat
Donovan Edwards is a big play back. During his years at Michigan his most memorable moments were always when he would break a tackle at the point of attack and outrun the rest of the defenders for a much needed big gain.
His scouting pitch was mainly centered around his big play ability. Gang Green Nations John B illustrated just how likely the back is to break off a big one.
“Edwards is more of a speed back than a power back, with the ability to break long runs,” John B writes. “Over 53 percent of his rushing yardage in 2022 came via breakaway yardage, placing him ninth in the nation and fourth among power five backs in that category.”
In a season that saw the back scamper for nearly 1,000 yards, this means that more than 500 of it came on the big play alone. He really is a ticking time bomb any time he lines up in the backfield.
Freak Athleticism
Edward’s combine results were freaky. We knew he was a speed back who possessed the ability to get north and south, but running a 4.44 forty yard dash at six-foot-one 215 pounds was still surprising.
When it comes to explosiveness, Edwards 10 yard split was second in the class, while his vertical was also top five.
Then how about the strength. Nobody in the 2025 draft class put up more reps at the combine on the bench press than Donovan. Nobody. His 23 reps of 225 pounds showed us that his giant frame wasn’t just for show.
Edwards first impression to Jets Nation left us wanting more.
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