Aaron Anderson, WR, LSU Tigers: 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report plus pro comp

In the 2026 NFL Draft, LSU Tigers wide receiver Aaron Anderson is a polarizing evaluation. His stats in 2025 were far from great, and his size comes with severe limitations. However, his skills are evident on tape, and he could become a valuable addition at a low cost for whatever team selects him in April.

Anderson was stolen away from in-state LSU out of high school by Alabama, but wound up transferring to the Tigers after one quiet year in Tuscaloosa. His first season in Baton Rouge was similarly uneventful, but he broke onto the scene in 2024. He was their most productive wideout with almost 900 yards, but his 2025 campaign was a major step backward, albeit the team's QB issues certainly taking some blame for that.

Aaron Anderson NFL Draft Profile:

Position: WR

School: LSU Tigers

Height: 5'7"

Weight: 177 pounds

Hometown: Algiers, Louisiana

Statistics:

2025: 33 Receptions, 398 Yards, 1 Carry, 2 Yards

Career: 106 Receptions, 1,341 Yards, 5 TDs, 1 Carry, 2 Yards

Strengths:

Tough runner, will always fight for extra yardage at the end of the play

Quick turner after the catch, flows with the pass trajectory, and works upfield quickly

Sells quick sit-down routes well, able to whip his head late and disguise his hands

Works upfield quickly and doesn’t spend too much time working laterally after the catch

Very sudden mover on quicker inside routes, doesn’t need to sink into his hips, and fires into cuts that generate easy separation

Soft hands in motion, continues forward momentum, and fluidly transitions into a runner

Eyes down space and beelines to it after the catch when in traffic

High effort player, will attack blocks downfield when plays are developing, and seems to always be moving

Impressive after the catch shifter to slide away from contact and minimize it when moving downfield, especially toward the sideline

Weaknesses:

Not able to stand his own much as a blocker, both too small and too indecisive about making first contact

Small stature, will be heavily limited to the slot and in certain packages

On mid-level routes, he tips his hand too often at times and will round his shoulder toward his next movement

Vertical routes aren’t a strength, compact movements to generate quick separation when moving downfield are often too subtle or too stocky

Out cuts after initially working inside can be inconsistently balanced and too rounded

Needs to use his hands more as a route runner, often way too straight and by his hips, making him susceptible to more physical coverage types

Will drift too much on some flat routes and screens, making passes more difficult and often moving himself off of his already-minimized catch radius

Will stack his hips at times when moving into mid-level route cuts, allowing DBs to move in on him and disrupt the top of his route stems

NFL Outlook:

Anderson has a very limited outlook as a slot-only receiver. He won’t be a major producer, but could and should work his way into a respectable role in an offense. He has the speed, yards after catch ability, and quick-hitter route skills to work into a scheme that holds decent value in the slot position. He can grow into his route tree to offer downfield upside, although it likely won't be substantial. Anderson could be a solid Day 3 snag for teams looking for offensive depth, and will have his moments to potentially become a fan-favorite role player.

NFL Player Comparison

Anderson's muscular build and slot-only trajectory make him akin to a fuller-built Demario Douglas, sacrificing some of the New England Patriots WR's agility for toughness. Douglas is more active in the New England offense than Anderson likely will be, at least for much of his career, but both players have the ability to come up clutch and generate chunk plays at times.

Prospect Grade:

Mid 4th Round