The Bills have now added two guards since free agency opened. After signing Connor McGovern, the team reached an agreement with David Edwards.
The former Rams starter is joining the Bills on a one-year deal, according to the AFC East franchise. Edwards has 49 career starts on his resume and profiles as an interesting pickup at this juncture of free agency. He will rejoin ex-Rams offensive line coach Aaron Kromer, who is now the Bills’ O-line coach. Kromer coached Edwards from 2019-20.
Prior to being shut down with a concussion during a lost Rams season, Edwards worked as a regular starter for Sean McVay‘s team throughout his career. The Rams selected Edwards in the 2019 fifth round, and he later joined Austin Corbett as the team’s Super Bowl LVI starters at guard.
Last season’s concussion obviously concerns, but Edwards had displayed durability over his first three seasons. The Wisconsin product did not miss a game from 2019-21, starting five playoff contests during that span. The Rams have now lost Corbett and Edwards in consecutive offseasons, seeing the former sign with the Panthers in 2022.
Pro Football Focus graded Edwards as a top-30 guard in 2020 and 2021, slotting him 17th overall in 2020. Edwards was among the Rams O-linemen to miss extensive time in 2022, with this domino helping lead Los Angeles to a 5-12 finish and hit an offseason crossroads of sorts. It will be interesting to learn the terms here, given Edwards’ experience and performance level. He will join a Bills O-line that needed assistance after a one-sided playoff loss to the Bengals. PFF ranked Buffalo’s O-line 23rd last season.
Edwards, who turned 26 earlier this week, landed in concussion protocol ahead of the Rams’ Week 4 game last season. While Edwards returned in Week 5, the Rams placed him on IR. As L.A.’s IR contingent expanded, it did not activate Edwards, whose IR-return period expired after three weeks of practice. Edwards ended up missing the season’s final three months.
The Bills gave Rodger Saffold a one-year deal in 2022; the ex-Rams and Titans starter remains unsigned. Saffold will be 35 next season. McGovern, who is coming off a contract year as a Cowboys starter, and Edwards join a Bills team that figures to fire up some offseason competitions up front. The team has re-signed Ike Boettger and has Ryan Bates and Greg Mancz under contract as well. McGovern has center experience, giving the team more options. Mitch Morse also remains under contract.
Los Angeles drafted Logan Bruss in the third round last year but lost the Wisconsin alum to ACL and MCL tears during the preseason. The Rams made re-signing center Brian Allen and left tackle Joe Noteboom priorities over Corbett and Edwards. Coleman Shelton and Alaric Jackson, who each became starters last season, remain under Rams control.