Drew Sanders is a Good Looking Football Player

Arkansas’ Drew Sanders jumped off the screen in the first five minutes of reviewing his game film.

The good ones always stand out, and the game film never lies.

It’s all about finding playmakers, and this Alabama transfer has made his share of first-round looking plays.

There is a premium for pass rushers

In the pass-happy NFL, it’s about getting to the quarterback.

Sanders blitzed a lot in this three game study, and he looked like a polished pass rusher doing it.

Equipped with a signature quick swim move, Sanders also shows a head fake and fast spin back.

He can flat-out get into the pocket – – and he has that coveted burst to the quarterback – – to go along with his high motor.

This is what NFL teams want.

Against Alabama, he chased down quarterback Bryce Young on a really good looking sack outside the pocket.

This season (so far), Sanders already has 8.5 sacks (tied-for 8th).

When he’s not getting to the quarterback quite in time, he’s disruptive and causing pressure.

Good in pass coverage

Sanders can drop into zone coverage, and he looks the part.

He can really run and has good range, meaning he can get to where he needs to go.

The thing that struck me initially was he looks alert and he reacts quickly to what’s happening around him.

He’s very sudden.

Sanders showed he can shadow backs into the flat and against South Carolina, he demonstrated he could get outside in time to break it up.

Sanders has great anticipation against the run

He’s literally up on the balls of his feet leaning in towards the line of scrimmage in anticipation of a run.

He doesn’t make every stop, but he makes enough of them.

Sanders does an excellent job of avoiding the trash (scouting term for the players blocking and getting blocked around him), and getting to the ball carrier.

I could tell making tackles is important to him. He’s not one of these linebackers who just ends up by the pile or let his teammates do the dirty work.

Sanders is always around the action, and often he’s making the tackle, assisting, or doing his best to get into position.

Sometimes he over-anticipates and will even shoot the wrong gap hoping to make the highlight reel tackle for a loss.

Starting to shoot up mock draft boards 📈

I don’t see how Sanders makes it out of the first-round.

A run and hit linebacker who can get sideline and sideline, has a good motor and can get to the quarterback will be on some team’s wishlist.

I am not saying he will go top 10, but I can see him going 20-32. I can see Minnesota taking him. He’s in the mold of former Vikings’ linebacker Chad Greenway, only faster.

Greenway was clocked at 4.76 (40-yard-dash), and it has been reported Sanders runs a 4.53 (nfldraftbuzz.com).

Over the past couple of months, Sanders has been mocked into the first-round by CBS, Sports Illustrated, 247Sports, and now by First Round Mock.

#42 Drew Sanders 6-foot-5, 232 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s Grade: First-Round – Fall 2022 Report

2022 game film reviewed: Cincinnati, Alabama and South Carolina (click to watch games viewed to form this evaluation)

Level of competition: High

2022 stats (to date): 86 tackles (33 solo, 56 assists), 8.5 sacks (28 pressures on 109 pass rushing attempts per pff.com), 3 passes defended

Note: Has missed 18/84 tackling attempts this season (pff.com)

2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Athletic, quick and sudden linebacker with desire, good range, and he can get to the quarterback. Lines up inside and also comes off the edge as a pass rusher. Has the ability to get into inside gap to pursue the quarterback. Disruptive with long arms. Can get a push at the point and has pass rush moves, burst and good close. Can adjust well. Active dropping into zone coverage and can match-up in man against backs and the slot. Can get sideline to sideline and provides good support in coverage. Good key and diagnose against the run. Great anticipation. Sometimes shoots the wrong gap. Solid at avoiding blocks, but inconsistent shed, angles and securing tackles. Very involved in the run game. Excellent three-down linebacker.

What to watch for during the 2022 college football season:

1. Final sack/pressure numbers
2. Consistent shedding blocks?
3. Consistent tackling?
4. Takes good angles in run defense?

Sanders is a difference maker.

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He currently writes for Sports Illustrated New York Jets and he is the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. He can be followed on Twitter @firstroundmock.