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Ryan Anderson, Alabama scouting report: 2017 NFL Draft

By Sayre Bedinger

Dec 31, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Ryan Anderson (22) after the game in the 2016 CFP Semifinal against the Washington Huskies at the Georgia Dome. Alabama defeated Washington 24-7. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Ryan Anderson (22) after the game in the 2016 CFP Semifinal against the Washington Huskies at the Georgia Dome. Alabama defeated Washington 24-7. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Ryan Anderson (22) looks to rush against the Clemson Tigers in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Ryan Anderson (22) looks to rush against the Clemson Tigers in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Weaknesses

While Anderson filled out the stat sheet over the last couple of seasons, his measurables aren’t exactly what scouts and coaches look for at the next level. At 6-foot-2, 253 pounds, Anderson is shorter than many edge defenders and more stout.

He has somewhat of a boxy build and shorter arms that have scouts worried about his ability to disengage from bigger, longer tackles at the next level.

It’s not Anderson’s fault he played on such a good team in college, but you have to wonder if the success he had was mostly as the guy who was cleaning up for the dirty work done by other players (even though we know that’s mostly not true).

One area that could put Anderson below some of the other talented edge rushers in this class is the way he rounds off his rushes off-tackle. While many of the best edge players in the NFL have learned how to contort their bodies in unique ways to get around the edge, dip their shoulder, and explode in a straight line to the quarterback, Anderson’s route is a bit elongated and rounded off.

Because of that, he missed on probably twice as many sacks as he otherwise recorded over the past couple of seasons.

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