Julian Edelman stretches out for touchdown (Video)

New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman needed every inch he could get to score the opening touchdown against the Washington Redskins. 

The New England Patriots needed just six minutes to open up the scoring against the Washington Redskins. Tom Brady did what he has done to so many teams: carve about their defense with an incredible amount of precision. Julian Edelman got the opening touchdown. He needed every inch he could get (and more) in order to stretch the ball past the pylon.

Edelman was credited with an eight-yard touchdown reception. It was a 13-play drive for 84 yards for the New England Patriots. Edelman continues to be one of Brady’s most reliable receivers. He has 56 receptions for 615 yards and seven touchdowns this season. Edelman often works out of the slot and is a guy who Brady clearly trusts and loves to throw to. Edelman is just 5-foot-10 and 200 pounds, but the 29-year-old receiver has very reliable hands and is one of the most precise route runners in the NFL.

In his career, Edelman has 318 receptions for 3,326 yards. He also has 27 rushes for 200 rushing yards. As a punt returner, Edelman has 141 returns for 1,699 punt return yards. He has also scored four touchdowns on punt returns, which is a franchise record for the Patriots. Not bad for a guy who was a quarterback in college. He was drafted by the Patriots in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft after quarterbacking at Kent State and the College of San Mateo.