Drew Sanders NFL Draft Overview
Position: Linebacker
Height: 6’-4”
Weight: 235 Pounds
School: Arkansas
2023 NFL Draft Drew Sanders Scouting Report
Approaching one of the biggest nights of his life, Drew Sanders has already been through his fair share of ups and downs in his football career. The former five star recruit out of high school decided to commit to Alabama and to learn from legend Nick Saban. The six-four linebacker out of Texas was ready to enter the football factory to take his game to the next level. With bright stars ahead of him, it seemed that nothing could go wrong.
One could say that Sanders was not a terrible fit with the Crimson Tide, he just became more of a rotational player than perhaps both he and they envisioned. He contributed on special teams as well as an edge rusher. He began to see the field more often in his second year. His season was cut short due to a hand injury suffered against Ole Miss. After the season a fresh start was the best thing for Drew Sanders as he transferred to Arkansas. This would payoff for Sanders and Arkansas in a major way.
Drew Sanders had to change the way he played the game to get different results. Arkansas took him from his edge role and made him an off-the-ball linebacker. The results were eye popping. In his first season in this role he recorded nine and a half sacks, three forced fumbles as well as an interception. Sanders received tremendous praise for his play, earning an honour as a finalist for the Dick Butkus Award as the nations top linebacker. He has proven to others, as well as himself that last year was just the beginning.
Strengths:
- Versatility is a major strength for him after playing special teams and on the edge at Alabama to playing off the ball at Arkansas;
- His build can accelerate his development in coverage, a six-four frame over the middle will have a golden opportunity for interceptions;
- Does a great job at sniffing out screens and uses his sideline to sideline speed to track down and wrap up opposition;
- Although there are concerns about his strength, he demonstrates exceptional contact balance while engaging blockers;
- Tremendous upside and untapped potential for a player who has three seasons of experience, last year was merely scraping the ceiling of his future.
Weaknesses:
- At times Sanders can get baited into play action or option plays;
- Sanders only had one year starting, despite three years of college football;
- Teams may question his durability due to his weight as well as prior injury history;
- Coverage skills are raw and leave much to be desired;
- Needs to develop his dominance downhill in the box considering his frame.
NFL Comparison: Tremaine Edmunds
Teams With A Need: Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Rams, Detroit Lions, Washington Commanders
Projection: Second Round
Bottom Line:
Teams will overthink the draft process seeing the limited experience, frame concerns, and injury concerns as all the reason they need to pass on the former five star recruit. Proving the doubters wrong is nothing new to Drew Sanders. He is more than ready to prove that last year was far from a fluke. A team that takes Sanders is getting a player who is just beginning to come into his own and offers plenty of upside and promise for the future. His size, versatility, and production could help him slip into the end of the first round yet he will likely hear his name called on day two of the NFL draft.
Main Image: Kirby Lee – USA TODAY Sports
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