Raiders NFL Draft Prospect: LB Drew Sanders, Arkansas

The Las Vegas Raiders can benefit from a highly talented pool of linebacker prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft.

The linebacker position is an area the Raiders will need to address this offseason, but they will need to be smart about it.

While re-signing a few players and signing a veteran in free agency might seem the most logical thing to do first, they can still reach for one of the best linebackers in this year’s draft.

We'll be working alongside SI’s Draft Bible to get you the latest information on any potential linebackers the Raiders might consider drafting.

“We’re going to continue to find players who fit what we look for, and continue to build this team in our vision, and I think we’re going to, at the same time, our goal is to win football games, and our goal for next year is to make an improvement over where we were this year,” Ziegler said.

Linebacker Drew Sanders, Arkansas Razorbacks

“In terms of range, explosion and upside, it doesn’t get much better than Sanders as a prospect and there is a lot of room for growth in his game,” Draft Bible said of Sanders.

Listed at 6-5 and 233 pounds, Sanders is a tall, lean, and versatile linebacker.

Sanders is a former five-star recruit who transferred to Arkansas from Alabama last season for an opportunity to show everyone his true potential.

Primarily used as an edge rusher and special teams player at Alabama, Sanders transferred and switched positions, manning the middle of the field in Arkansas’ 4-2-5 system.

There, Sanders' skill-set flourished, and he became the first Razorbacks linebacker to earn First-Team All-American honors from the Associated Press since 1964.

In two seasons at Alabama, Sanders struggled to record eye-popping stats as an edge rusher, recording only 33 tackles (16 solos), 2.5 tackles for losses, and one sack.

Things would change after transferring and moving to the MIKE position, where he recorded a career-best 103 total tackles (40 solos), 13.5 tackles for losses, 9.5 sacks, one interception, five passes deflections, and three forced fumbles.

Sanders is solid at the point of attack, and if he lashes on, the ball carrier is going down.

The only concern is his game is the 22 missed tackles, a hefty number for a talented player.

In coverage, he does a great job matching up against running backs and moves well.

Projected as an early first-round draft pick, he could fall to the Raiders later on. Benton would be one of the draft's biggest steals if he falls to the Raiders.

The NFL Draft will occur at Union Station in Kansas City, Mo., from Thursday, April 27 to Saturday, April 29. ESPN, ABC, and NFL Network will broadcast all seven rounds.

The NFL Scouting Combine is Feb. 28-March 6, 2023, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind. On March 7, 2023, before 4 p.m. EST, is the club's deadline to designate Franchise or Transition Players.

March 13-15 is the free agent negotiation period. Starting at 12 p.m. EDT on March 13 and ending at 3:59:59 p.m. EDT on March 15, clubs are permitted to contact and enter into contract negotiations with the certified agents of players who will become Unrestricted Free Agents upon the expiration of their 2022 Player Contracts at 4 p.m. EDT on March 15.

The 2023 NFL Year and Free Agency period begins at 4 p.m. EDT on March 15. The Raiders are expected to be significant players in the free-agent market this season.

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