New England Patriots
Edelman was a key player for the second iteration of the Patriots’ dynasty years, helping him get inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame on Saturday.
Not many seventh-round picks make their team’s roster as a rookie, and even fewer wind up making a great impact. It takes an even more special player to make their team’s Hall of Fame after starting out as a seventh-round pick.
Julian Edelman will receive his red jacket and become one of the newest members of the Patriots Hall of Fame on Saturday, getting inducted alongside former head coach Bill Parcells. For Edelman, Saturday’s ceremony puts a bow on what was a standout 12-year career for the Patriots after the team selected him in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft.
As Edelman proved to be a key player for the second iteration of the Patriots’ dynasty years, let’s take a look at the best 11 moments of his Patriots Hall of Fame career.
Punt return touchdown vs. Eagles
It’s not often that a preseason play is included on a list of a player’s top moments. However, Edelman’s 75-yard punt return touchdown against the Eagles in 2009 probably helped the then-seventh-round rookie secure a roster spot.
It also led to a pretty great sideline exchange between Bill Belichick and Wes Welker, in which the former Patriots coach asked the receiver if he had ever heard of Wally Pipp.
Punt return touchdown vs. Broncos
Arguably, Edelman’s best punt return during his 12-year career came against the Broncos in 2014. His 84-yard punt return touchdown helped blow that game against two contenders open, and it also gave Edelman the Patriots’ all-time punt return touchdown record with four.
Playing cornerback in 2011 AFC Championship Game
Edelman did a little bit of everything in his Patriots career, including playing cornerback during the 2011 season. In the AFC Championship Game against the Ravens that season, Edelman played 27 snaps on both sides of the ball. He recorded a forced fumble on the Ravens’ final drive of that game, which went out of bounds. But the Patriots wound up winning the game thanks to a missed field goal shortly after. Edelman actually played cornerback throughout that season as New England’s secondary struggled for most of the year.
Travis Hunter actually joined Edelman this past week as the only players to record at least 20 snaps on both sides of the ball in a game since 2006.
2013 performance vs. Broncos
While Edleman’s punt return touchdown against the Broncos in 2014 was electric, he had an even better performance against Denver a year prior. He had nine receptions for 110 yards in the Patriots’ 34-31 win over the Broncos in 2013, making a pair of impressive touchdown grabs as New England came back from a 24-0 deficit.
Punt return touchdown vs. Dolphins
Edelman’s first punt return touchdown was his longest. In a 2011 matchup against the Dolphins, he was able to make a Miami defender miss a tackle at New England’s 6-yard line before outrunning the coverage unit for a 94-yard touchdown.
Super Bowl XLIX first down catch
Now, we get to the really good stuff. Edelman had a knack for making big plays in the playoffs. He had a couple in his first Super Bowl win. The first came on a third-and-14 in Super Bowl XLIX against the Seahawks, catching Tom Brady’s strike before taking a vicious hit from Seattle safety Kam Chancellor. Edelman was able to hang on to the ball, which was key as it gave the Patriots a big first down as they trailed 24-14 in the early minutes of the fourth quarter at the time.
Super Bowl XLIX touchdown catch
Later in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl XLIX, Edelman gave the Patriots the lead for good when he beat Seahawks corner Tharold Simon for a 2-yard touchdown. Brady and Edelman actually tried to connect on a similar play earlier in the game, but the pass sailed over the receiver’s head.
Catches in overtime vs. Chiefs in 2018 AFC Championship Game
Edelman didn’t have a spectacular showing in regulation of the 2018 AFC Championship Game against the Steelers. In fact, he muffed a punt, which was later overturned, before letting a pass tip off his fingers for an interception. However, in overtime, he made two big third-down grabs. Both were on a third-and-10, making two receptions for 35 yards to help New England drive down the field before Rex Burkhead rushed for the game-winning touchdown.
Super Bowl LIII performance
The best performance of Edelman’s career came at the best time. He recorded 10 receptions for 141 yards in the Patriots’ 13-3 victory over the Rams in Super Bowl LIII to win MVP of the game. While none of his catches might have been eye-popping, just about all of them were pretty important as he turned eight of the 10 catches into first downs.
Touchdown pass to Danny Amendola vs. Ravens
It took until Edelman’s sixth season for the Patriots to use the former college quarterback’s arm. They did in a pretty big moment, too. Trailing 28-21 to the Ravens in the third quarter of the 2014 AFC Divisional Round, the Patriots called for a double pass. The bold call worked, with Edelman finding Amendola open for a 51-yard touchdown to tie the game that they would eventually go on to win.
Catch in Super Bowl LI
Edelman’s touchdown pass against the Ravens might arguably be the top play of his career, but there isn’t an argument for what was the top reception of his career. As the Patriots were driving down the field late in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl LI, Edelman made a miraculous grab when he slid his hand right between the turf and the ball on Brady’s throw into traffic. The catch gave the Patriots a 23-yard gain on the drive that would help them tie the game.
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