Drew Sanders Scouting Report: Can The Former EDGE Succeed At Linebacker?

LB Drew Sanders is all but just a linebacker. He’s a highly versatile player with outstanding athletism. He initially played EDGE under Nick Saban at Alabama before transferring to Arkansas this past season, where he converted to off-ball linebacker. As you’d expect, he brings a terrific pass-rushing skill set entering the league. More surprisingly is what he does so well as an off-ball linebacker. Here we assess whether or not he’ll succeed after only one year of playing the position.

Four all-22 games were evaluated. This scouting report includes grades on all relevant traits based on his film. His scouting report also factored in stats and analytics, such as PFF grades. Use promo code TREYSCHNEIDER on Underdog Fantasy to match your deposit up to $100. Please gamble responsibly and leave your feedback on Twitter @FBIntellect.

LB/ D-line Stats

2022:

2021:

Clip Analysis

In this clip above, Sanders causes disruption and nearly blows up a run play. He shows a lightning-quick reaction time.

In this one, Bryce Young starts to roll out, and Sanders quickly recognizes it and triggers on the ball. Young is considered a very good athlete, and he is able to stop him for a loss here.

In this one, he simply reads the eyes of the QB and gets right in the receivers passing lane.

Grades

Traits/ Skills (see bottom of the page for scale)

Each trait/attribute is graded 1-7.

Player Notes

Drew Sanders Bio

• Drew Sanders, a former EDGE, is a big-bodied hybrid-style linebacker who is a boom-or-bust prospect. He has ideal size paired with impressive coverage ability. He currently has the 15th highest potential on The FBI 2023 Draft Board.

Pros

• A borderline elite athlete with excellent man coverage technique.
• An explosive, hard-hitting, aggressive player.
• He is exceptionally fluid and light-footed, especially for how big he is.
• Excellent at reading the ball and isn’t easily fooled by play-action and misdirection.
• Gains surprisingly good leverage for his size and is a good scraper.
• Very quick to trigger with good natural instincts.
• As he used to be an EDGE, he has some legit pass rush moves in his arsenal.
• Won over 28% of his pass rush snaps, showing good get-off and bend.
• Can be moved around in a bunch of different roles. Could play will, mike, sam, and straight-up EDGE.

Cons

• He was a very unclean tackler; missed nearly 20% of his tackles.
• Lacks mass in his frame.
• You’d like to see him make more plays going through linemen instead of around.
• It’s hard for him to stack-and-shed with his tall stature and shorter arms.
• Doesn’t have the best zone IQ or zone instincts, but he is still new to the position.
• If you play him at true EDGE, he doesn’t exactly have counter moves to rely on, nor is he a high IQ pass rusher.
• He doesn’t excel in one broad area as a linebacker yet; he is a work in progress.

Final Conclusion

• Drew Sanders, while not perfect, is a hell of a player and someone with many high-end traits. I really like how he played in man coverage, although there weren’t a ton of reps. With how fluid and explosive he is, it’s hard not to love his potential. He could be worth a pick in the late first and is definitely worth the investment in the second round.

Combine

40 yd:

10 yd:

Shuttle:

3 cone:

Broad:

Vertical:

Bench:

Arm Length: 32 1/4″

Hand Size:

Scales And Keys

Grading Key

POT – Potential: players’ highest upside

IMP – Impact: player’s immediate impact