Fansided

NFL Draft 2017: Top target for each team

By John Buhler

Oct 29, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback DeShone Kizer (14) looks to throw in the first quarter against the Miami Hurricanes at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 29, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback DeShone Kizer (14) looks to throw in the first quarter against the Miami Hurricanes at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
21 of 32
Next
Dec 31, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Ryan Anderson (22) scores a touchdown as defensive back Marlon Humphrey (26) runs alongside during the second quarter in the 2016 CFP Semifinal against the Washington Huskies at the Georgia Dome. Alabama defeated Washington 24-7. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Ryan Anderson (22) scores a touchdown as defensive back Marlon Humphrey (26) runs alongside during the second quarter in the 2016 CFP Semifinal against the Washington Huskies at the Georgia Dome. Alabama defeated Washington 24-7. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

New England Patriots: Ryan Anderson

Not sure why this guy is slipping, but Alabama Crimson Tide outside linebacker Ryan Anderson fits the build of a New England Patriot. While the Patriots don’t have either a first or second round pick in the upcoming draft, New England could use its No. 72 overall selection in the third round to take Anderson.

At Alabama, Anderson was one of the better players on that ferocious Crimson Tide front-seven. Yes, defensive end Jonathan Allen was the group’s best player, but it was Anderson that might have been the most compelling.

Anderson was a bit of a Swiss army knife on the edge for the Alabama defense. He finished his Alabama career with 128 tackles, 39.5 for a loss of yardage, 19.0 quarterback sacks, six forced fumbles and six fumble recoveries. Keep in mind that Anderson rarely played as a freshman in 2013.

Anderson has the knack for finding the football. He would be a player that could come in and compete for playing time right away in Matt Patricia’s defense. NFL teams are always looking for talent along the edge of a defense.

New England is clearly trying to win a sixth Super Bowl before quarterback Tom Brady retires. They can still be all-in on winning a championship and reload if they know what they are doing. New England knows what it’s doing. Anderson’s on-field production would translate very well to what the Patriots like to do defensively.

Home/NFL Draft