As the NFL Draft approaches, we take a look at each of the Crimson Tide prospects and decipher which teams are the best fits for them.
Position/Size/Weight/40-Time: OLB/6-2/253/4.78
Career Stats: 128 tackles, 39.5 TFL, 19.0 sacks, 6 FF, 6 FR, 1 INT (TD)
Mock Draft Projections: Generally slated to go between the 2nd and 3rd rounds.
Best Fits (Ranked):
1 – Baltimore Ravens: Despite racking up an incredible eight sacks at the age of 34, Terrell Suggs isn’t getting any younger. Though it’s hard to say how much longer Suggs can keep it up for, the Ravens would benefit immensely by adding a good, young talent to their linebacker corps. Teammate Elvis Dumervil (33-years-old) is also not getting any younger, and is also coming off a season in which he recorded career-lows in games played (eight), tackles (11) and sacks (three). Baltimore is the best fir for Ryan Anderson because not only would he be under the tutelage of greats in Suggs and Dumervil, but he’d also have a guy like C.J.Mosley playing beside him to help him learn the defense.
2 – Indianapolis Colts: While Anderson lacks elite level athleticism, he can be an outright menace if put in a spot to focus on rushing the quarterback. A year ago, the Colts’ defense tied for 19th in the NFL in sacks after accruing just 33 all season, and 20th in forced fumbles with 15. They desperately need the next Robert Mathis to make their defense click again. Anderson may never become the player Mathis was for the Colts; however, he certainly can be a productive, consistent starter in the league. With Erik Walden coming off of a career-year (11.0 sacks), the tandem of he and Anderson would make quite a powerful duo.
3 – Oakland (Las Vegas) Raiders: Despite running sort of a skewed 4-3 defense, should the Raiders choose to pick up Anderson in the second or third round. In doing this, Oakland takes care of an immediate need with the departure of Malcolm Smith in free agency. In most 4-3 schemes, Anderson would need to vastly improve his pass defense, however with Oakland playing swiss-army-knife Khalil Mack as a defensive end, Anderson may not be asked to cover much. A lineup of Anderson, Mack, and Bruce Irvin would even make the Black Hole shudder.
Jake Weaver is a contributor for TD Alabama Magazine and Bama Hoops Hype. You can contact him via email at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter for sports news/commentary @JAWeaver0.
