If you were to search for a SEC player whose draft stock rose a significant amount during the 2022 season, Drew Sanders is a name that is sitting atop that list. One of the SEC’s top linebackers this past season, where might the Arkansas junior be selected in the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft?
SEC 2023 NFL Draft Preview: Arkansas LB Drew Sanders
Considered as the nation’s top athlete from the 2020 recruiting class, Sanders, who was a five-star prospect out of Ryan High School in Texas, was a highly-touted player before his collegiate days even began, one who could’ve played on either both side of the ball.
Beginning his collegiate career at Alabama, Sanders would however settle in at outside linebacker with the Crimson Tide, making eight tackles during the 2020 season as a freshman. Sanders’ role would expand during his 2021 sophomore season as well, with the former five-star going on to make 24 tackles with 2.5 TFL and a sack that fall for Alabama.
Sanders would however transfer within the SEC West prior to the 2022 season, going to Arkansas from Alabama. This would turn out to be an impactful move for Sanders as well, who would enjoy a big breakout junior season this past fall with the Razorbacks.
Across 12 games, Sanders would rank No. 5 in the SEC with 103 total tackles, as well as ranking No. 4 with 14 TFL and No. 2 with 9.5 sacks. Sanders would also rack up an interception, five PD, and a fumble recovery, while also ranking No. 8 nationally, as well as No. 3 in the SEC, with three forced fumbles.
A season that has helped Sanders rise up draft boards across the last couple of months, where could the former five-star prospect now be selected in the 2023 NFL Draft?
Strengths
One of Sanders’ biggest strengths as a linebacker is his versatility as a pass rusher, which has the former five-star as one of the top players at the position in the 2023 NFL Draft. With the ability to lineup at multiple spots, Sanders is a strong rusher who wins with speed, and took a step forward with the Razorbacks this past fall showcasing those abilities.
Sanders is also capable of playing sideline-to-sideline defensively as a linebacker, with his speed a big reason why he can make plays almost anywhere on the field. The former five-star is simply one of the SEC’s most intriguing defensive prospects in this draft, as Sanders you could argue has as much upside as almost any linebacker in the conference.
Question Marks
One question mark surrounding Sanders’ transition to the NFL is which position the former five-star actually ends up playing, whether that be a true edge rusher, or a standup linebacker who moves all around on defense. At 6-foot-5, 233 pounds, Sanders will arguably be used best in the role he played this past fall at Arkansas, and time will eventually tell what that role will be in the NFL.
Potential Draft Range
At the moment, Sanders you could argue is likely to come off the board at some point within the second round. However, late in the first round can not be ruled out entirely either, especially if Sanders impresses in the pre-draft process.
Draft Prediction
Sanders will be selected in the first half of the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft.