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Posted by Scouts Inc.'s Matt Williamson

Edwards

The Bills have climbed to first place in the AFC East and are putting together a very solid season, and it's no surprise that the team's rise has coincided with the maturation of second-year quarterback Trent Edwards.

As a rookie last season, Edwards made an impression almost immediately. He lasted until the third round on draft day because his durability raised more eyebrows than his college statistics. Edwards had minimal support on some awful Stanford teams and often was hobbled by injuries working behind a terrible offensive line. And he isn't the sort of pure thrower who could make a name for himself during the meat-market environment of the Combine. But he played well during the preseason and by Week 4 had overtaken J.P. Losman as Buffalo's starter. Edwards gave buttoned-down coach Dick Jauron and his staff what they wanted in a quarterback: smart, low-risk, efficient play.

Edwards did have at least one advantage playing for the Cardinal, who ran a pro-style offense. That background has paid off early in his NFL career, during which his anticipatory passing has been impressive. Many quarterbacks who enter the league operated out of a spread attack in college or were athletic enough to dominate inferior competition. Anticipation and timing throws often are late-developing tools in the pros -- and that's if they come at all. Edwards arrived in the NFL with the fully-formed ability to make and complete those passes, which enabled him to contribute right away.

This year Edwards' development has been obvious, even as the Bills heap more on his plate and his surroundings have deteriorated a bit. Buffalo's offensive line has underperformed, and Marshawn Lynch's inability to find running room has put additional stress on Edwards to key the offense. Pigeonholed as a game manager last year, Edwards has made more plays -- reading defenses, going through his progressions and finding the open man -- to energize the offense. He has handled it brilliantly, especially for a quarterback in his first full season as an NFL starter.

Edwards doesn't have the biggest arm, but he can capably make all the necessary throws and does so with excellent touch and accuracy. He knows when to take something off his ball and when to rev up and cut loose. He is intelligent and has very good pocket presence. He is smart enough to trust his coaches and system. He learns and transfers knowledge to the field quickly, with minimal reps. He can buy himself time and elude pressure inside the pocket, and he doesn't feel pressure that isn't there. He has a compact, precise delivery, but can maneuver his release point if his mechanics are compromised by the pass rush. He's tough and competitive. Edwards isn't shy about taking the big shot in order to stand in the pocket, make his reads and deliver. Those are rare qualities for a passer with Edwards' limited pro experience.

The main difference between last season and this season: trust. The Bills' offense was painfully conservative in 2007, in part because the team didn't want to give Edwards too much too soon. But coordinator Turk Schonert hasn't held back this year. Edwards has been allowed to attack at all levels and push the ball downfield when the opportunity arises. Schonert is moving receiver Lee Evans around in the formation to create mismatches, and Edwards is spotting and exploiting them. In fourth-quarter comebacks against Jacksonville and Oakland early this season, Edwards was a catalyst, making a number of brilliant reads and throws along the way.

Just imagine if the blocking comes around and the Bills find a complementary target or two. Who knows? Edwards' next leap forward could be his biggest yet.

Scouts Inc. watches games, breaks down film and studies football from all angles for ESPN.com.