Drew Sanders Already Getting Projected to Help New Broncos' Defense

Former Razorback already being looked at in scheme with all-new coaching staff

Author:
Andy Hodges
Updated:
Jul 31, 2023 4:32 AM EDT
Original:
Jul 30, 2023

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Former Arkansas linebacker Drew Sanders made headlines his first season on defense for the Razorbacks, learning a new position. Now he's on his third set of coaches in three seasons with the Denver Broncos after being taken in the third round of the draft.

They are already looking at him to play a role for a Denver defense that's adjusting to life with new coach Sean Payton with fresh faces and a fresh attitude all over the place. That includes the front office, which saw a change of ownership last year with former UA student and Bentonville native Rob Walton heading up a new group at the top.

That includes new defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, who hasn't exactly been at the top of that group in the NFL, but it will be interesting to see what he can do with the most talent he's ever had to work with. That includes Sanders, who made a big splash with the Hogs in just one season after starting his career at Alabama.

He's already getting projected in a key role with the defense, expecting big things. That's according to a list of projections from Mile High Huddle for Fannation on SI this week as training camps around the NFL starting this past week.

Sanders was projected to have five sacks while playing under 500 plays this season, which would be huge:

"Playing in a role to take advantage of his ability to get after the quarterback would be common sense in a scheme that is aggressive in getting after the quarterback. Reaching this in his rookie year would be a positive boost for a Broncos team that has had issues getting pressure on opposing quarterbacks with any consistency over the past few years."

Just in case the Broncos don't know, Sanders has an ability to pick things up really quick. Getting moved from primarily an edge rusher role at Alabama to an off-ball linebacker with the Hogs, he made a huge splash. You could see the difference he made in the defense almost from the first day in spring practice. Now he may be poised to have an impact at the next level.