Athletic Profile
Height: 6040
Weight: 235
Arm Length: 32 1/8”
40 Time: 4.66
10 Yard Split: 16.1
Vertical: 37”
Broad Jump: 910
3-Cone: 7.18
Shuttle: 4.38
Relative Athletic Score: 8.97
* Indicates Recorded At Pro Day
Statistics
2022: 39 PRESSURES / 11 SCK / 43 RSTOP / 63 TKL / 19.6% MIST
2021: 9 PRESSURES / 0 SCK / 9 RSTOP / 17 TCKL / 16.7% MIST
Pros
Elite Athletic Profile
Rare Pass Rush Skills
Versatility
Upside
Pursuit Effort
Flexiblity
Ability to Slip Blocks in the Hole
Cons
Lacks LB Experience
Limited Man Coverage Reps
Tweener Build
Leverage Issues @ Height
Squaring Up Blocks
Summary
Drew Sanders is one of the more interesting linebackers prospects in this class. The former 5-star recruit originally started his collegiate career at Alabama as an EDGE. In 2022 with his transfer to Arkansas he transitioned to an off ball linebacker role. Sanders shows excellent instincts for a first year linebacker. His ability to sort through traffic in the run game is far ahead of where it should be. He does have a tendency to over commit and over run plays but his instincts will improve over time. Sanders is tall for a linebacker and struggles with leverage in the run game. High pad level and a tendency to pick a side when meeting blockers leads him to being sealed off in the run game more than you would like. Sanders is a top tier athlete, his sideline to sideline speed and down hill acceleration pop off tape. A former edge he displays powerful hands and good flexibility when absorbing blocks. His former home as a pass rusher gives him on the ball versatility. He is also an excellent pass rusher both off the edge and as a blitzer which gives access to unique role possibilities. Sanders does possess a tweener build, at 235 he is too light to play edge and his 6’5” frame is a little tall for a linebacker. His frame with NFL training likely will be able to take on 10 more pounds with losing too much athleticism but that won’t come right away. As a coverage player his length and agility make him an effective zone defender. His man coverage abilities remain somewhat up in the air as he only has one year of linebacker tape from a zone heavy scheme. His athletic profile would indicate he can manage 1 on 1 out in space but it remains a projection at this point. Drew Sander is one of the more unique linebacker prospects in this draft given his unique role and recent transition to the linebacker. With his athleticism, third down value and ahead of schedule instincts as an off ball linebacker he has the ability to challenge for the LB1 spot in a weaker class.
Grade: 6.43 - Early Second Round Grade (Potential Starter)
Games Watched: Florida (2021), Ole Miss (2021), Alabama (2022), Ole Miss (2022), Mississippi State (2022)