Aaron Anderson is a 5’8, 191 lb slot receiver out of Louisiana State University. He attended Edna Karr High School and is from New Orleans, Louisiana. He is a former 4-star recruit in the class of 2022. He was ranked 49th nationally and ranked as the 5th-best wide receiver in the class. Originally, he committed to LSU and then flipped to Alabama, where he signed on October 29th, 2021. He redshirted at Alabama while dealing with a knee injury. At the end of the 2022 season, he entered the transfer portal and committed back to LSU on December 18th, 2022. In high school, Anderson also ran track, where he ran a 10.77 100 and a 7.03 60 as a junior. During his college career, Anderson totaled 106 receptions, 1,341 yards, & 5 touchdowns.
Anderson has a compact muscular build who can line up in the slot and backfield.
He creates easy separation; he’s a burner with great vertical speed. He possesses a great first step off the line, allowing him to gain a step on the DB. His breaks are quick and effective.
Anderson’s size limits his overall effectiveness in the blocking game, and he is easily redirected. Anderson has a solid ability to read where to sit in the zone. He needs to work on his improv when the QB rolls out and is under pressure. I would like to see him show more effort in the run game. On the plus side, he is an absolute burner with great vertical speed.
Anderson is automatic at running slants; he wins with speed and uses leverage well, putting himself in position to make a play. He uses his small size to his advantage in a zone where he can find where to sit and disappear in coverage. His route tree is very full, being highlighted by slants, crossers, & drags. His hands are good, rarely using his body to reel in catches; he has solid hand-eye coordination. Anderson’s catch radius is lackluster due to his smaller frame and vertical ability. He will need to work on contested catching, as his concentration drops when he feels the pressure coming. Anderson is quick getting off the line winning with speed, his release package includes speed, split, & wide step releases. He can get redirected in the press against bigger corners. His willingness to block needs improvement, as does his ability to hold blocks longer in the run game. Anderson has elite use as a kick & punt returner. His contact balance is good, and he can make people miss after the catch with his overall speed and quickness. The way he reads the field after the catch is one of the best parts of his game.
Aaron Anderson has game-changing speed, and by pairing his slot speed with the wide variety of routes he can run, he can become a good role player for an NFL team that knows how to use him correctly. His value on kick and punt return will intentionally get teams’ attention. His size and blocking ability may cause him to be drafted later than the talent shows, with concerns about not being able to win in press against the size of NFL corners.
Scheme Fit and Team Fit: Spread or vertical concepts.
49ers – Coach Shanahan utilizes 3×2 spread sets often out of 21/22 personnel, while using motion to create vertical opportunities. This would be Anderson’s best fit in the NFL, as the 49ers can effectively use him in motion and vertically.
Bills – High use of empty formations creates opportunities vertically or on corner routes. The Bills can use Anderson in all sorts of ways, including lining him up in the backfield.
Chiefs – Multiple vertical options in the playbook, which would allow Anderson to be a lesser Tyreek Hill.
NFL Player Comp: Calvin Austin, NY Giants.
Aaron Anderson is compared to Calvin Austin because of their size and playstyle similarities. Anderson does have about 20 pounds on Austin, but they are both role players with great upside in kick and punt returns.
Projection: Role Player/Backup
Anderson is projected to be a role player/backup because of size concerns and willingness to help in the run game as a blocker. His upside will come from special teams, which is why a team will take a shot on him early on day three.
Grade and Round Projection: 4.04, Late Round 4-Early Round 5 Pick
4.29 trait grade, adjusted to a 4.04 for film grade. He projects to be drafted in late round 4 or early round 5.
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