As the NFL season winds down, FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL draft scouting reports before the combine in March. Here’s a look at Drew Sanders.
Check out all of our 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Reports & Prospect Profiles 
2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Drew Sanders (LB – Arkansas)
6’5″ – 232 lbs
Background:
Four-star recruit who originally attended Alabama, where he played sparingly as a freshman, finishing with nine tackles, then totaled 284 snaps including two starts in 2021, ending up with 24-2.5-1.0. Broke out this past year after transferring to Arkansas, immediately stepping into a starting spot and racking up 103-13.5-9.5.
Positives:
Really broke out this past year with a huge season to put himself on the radar. Tall, long-limbed linebacker who did a little bit of everything in school; plays downhill between the tackles, rushes from the edge, and drops into coverage. Decisive linebacker who reads keys quickly and plays fast; brings a desirable level of intensity. Rangy, high-motor player who can pursue out to the sidelines; overall speed and explosiveness is very good. Has impressive suddenness to slip blocks and work through traffic. Gets good extension with his arms to keep blockers out of his frame. Functional strength is much better than his size would suggest. Surprisingly effective pass-rusher who can generate push with his bull-rush. Takes advantages of opportunities to rush from zone when a lane opens. Closes fast when he has a chance to finish. Looks very comfortable pattern-matching in zone, with the raw movement skills to keep up with opponents; does a good job of feeling routes developing. Clean footwork and transitions from backpedaling to driving on a spot when working in zone.
Negatives:
Has added roughly twenty pounds of bulk since high school, but may be asked to add some additional bulk at the next level, especially if drafted by an odd front. More instinctive than disciplined in his run fits. Quick decisions and aggressiveness can be exploited by misdirection. Could do a better job of keeping his shoulders square to the line when playing between the tackles. Takes some circuitous routes to avoid blockers instead of stepping into the hole. Contact balance issues crop up at times. Loses track of some opponents in zone when he’s peeking into the backfield.
Summary:
A tall, high-energy linebacker with excellent explosiveness and range, his versatility and rare athleticism could make him an every-down starter in a defense that favors speed and aggressiveness. At this point, is probably a little bit more impactful as a pass-rusher and coverage linebacker because of his tendency to overcommit at times and to work around rather than through blockers in the run game, but with some more patience and functional strength, could easily develop into an impact player between the tackles as well.
Projection: Round 2
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