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Patriots Position Switch: Julian Edelman

By Connor Fulton

Nov 15, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) prior to the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim O
Nov 15, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) prior to the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim O /
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Today, as part of our New England Patriots Position Switch series, we are imagining a world in which star wide receiver Julian Edelman does not catch passes, but rather, intercepts them.

We actually have some idea what this world would look like, as Edelman played in nickel and dime packages for the Patriots back in 2011. Edelman first appeared as a defensive back against the Kansas City Chiefs on primetime Monday Night Football. In the AFC Championship Game later that year, Edelman played 27 of 73 defensive snaps, often covering Anquan Boldin. Edelman even forced a fumble on the Ravens’ final drive. Remember that?

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What the 2011 season told us is that if Edelman had wanted to, he probably could have had a shot as an NFL cornerback. In fact, an argument could be made that Edelman was far more valuable as a corner that season, as evidenced by his meager stat line of four catches for 34 yards on the season.

At 5-foot-10, 198 pounds, Edelman has a pretty comparable build to many of the Patriots’ defensive backs. He lines up just about pound-for-pound and inch-for-inch with rookie corner Cyrus Jones, as well as veteran safety Devin McCourty.

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Edelman’s insane quickness and footwork would translate well into the cornerback position. Certainly, when Edelman absolutely danced Morris Claiborne out of his shoes, that quickness was on display. Who knows, maybe Edelman would be better than Claiborne as a defensive back.

What would also make Edelman an intriguing cornerback is not hard to wrap your head around: hands. The guy has caught 258 balls over the past three regular seasons alone. He (usually) has extremely soft hands. Also, you have to remember that Edelman is accustomed to catching Tom Brady’s bullets.

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Stay tuned for a Malcolm Butler-themed Patriots Position Switch piece early next week.

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