Aaron Anderson WR LSU | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Aaron Anderson WR LSU
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
ROLE: Slot Receiver | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Last Updated: 07/07/2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Draft Year: 2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
40 time: 4.34 seconds (94%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Age: 22.7 DOB: 12/02/2002 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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ROLE: Slot Receiver | |
Last Updated: 07/07/2025 | |
Draft Year: 2026 | |
40 time: 4.34 seconds (94%*) | |
Age: 22.7 DOB: 12/02/2002 | |
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Overall Rating: | 83.0 / 100 | |
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Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
Defense Rating: |
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77% |
Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
QB Rating When targeted: | 103.3 | |
Hands: |
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75% |
Short Receiving: |
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82% |
Intermediate Routes: |
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83% |
Deep Threat: |
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86% |
Blocking: |
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60% |
DRAFT PROJECTION:
4th
Overall Rank:
#134
Position rank:
#19
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College Games: 24 College Snaps: 770 | ||
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Draft Profile: Bio
The speedster from New Orleans carved out his legacy at Edna Karr High School before taking a winding path through the SEC. Anderson burst onto the national scene as a senior when he torched rival John Curtis with three kickoff returns for touchdowns in a game broadcast on ESPN2, capping off a prep career that saw him accumulate over 6,000 total yards and an astounding 20 return touchdowns. His track prowess complemented his football skills, running a 10.77 in the 100-meter dash and consistently breaking the 11-second barrier throughout his junior and senior seasons.The five-star recruit initially committed to Alabama as the nation's 35th overall prospect and Louisiana's top-rated player for the Class of 2022. However, injuries derailed his true freshman campaign with the Crimson Tide, limiting him to just one appearance against Austin Peay. Anderson made the pivotal decision to transfer to LSU in spring 2023, where he gradually rebuilt his career trajectory. His first season in Baton Rouge saw him catch 12 passes for 59 yards across 11 games while serving as the team's primary return specialist, though a costly fumble against Florida State temporarily sidelined his special teams role.
The 2024 campaign marked Anderson's true breakout at the collegiate level, earning him LSU's Most Improved Offensive Player Award. He led the Tigers with 61 receptions for 884 yards and five touchdowns, ranking third in the SEC in catches and seventh in receiving yards. His most memorable moment came in the clutch against Ole Miss, hauling in a 23-yard touchdown pass on fourth-and-five with 27 seconds remaining to force overtime in an eventual 29-26 victory. Anderson also showcased his explosive return ability with a 100-yard kickoff return touchdown against Oklahoma, demonstrating the game-breaking speed that made him a coveted recruit.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Blazing 4.34 forty speed translates directly to the field, capable of taking any touch the distance with proper blocking setup.
- Exceptional route precision from the slot, using sharp cuts and subtle head fakes to create consistent separation against man coverage.
- Compact frame masks surprising strength through contact, breaking arm tackles and dragging defenders for extra yards after the catch.
- Natural hands catcher who plucks the ball away from his body cleanly, rarely allowing passes to hit his chest pads.
- Elite acceleration out of breaks creates immediate separation on intermediate routes, particularly devastating on comeback patterns and quick slants.
- Fearless over the middle of the field, willing to absorb punishment to secure contested catches in traffic situations.
- Game-breaking return specialist with the vision and burst to flip field position, already proven at the highest college level.
- Advanced double-move technique keeps defensive backs guessing, selling comeback routes before breaking vertically with devastating effectiveness.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Undersized frame at 5'9" and 184 pounds raises durability concerns against NFL-caliber defenders and press coverage situations.
- Limited experience as a primary target may create adjustment issues when facing consistent double coverage and bracket schemes.
- Blocking technique needs serious refinement for screens and jet sweeps, often failing to sustain contact against even small defensive backs.
- Route tree remains somewhat limited, with most production coming from short-to-intermediate patterns rather than complex route combinations.
- Inconsistent ball security in return situations, as evidenced by the costly fumble against Florida State that temporarily cost him duties.
Scouting Report: Summary
Anderson's got legitimate NFL starter potential if everything breaks right. The speed is game-changing and his route precision already rivals guys taken in the first three rounds. Problem is the frame - 184 pounds won't hold up against press coverage from guys like Ramsey or Alexander. But put him in the slot with space to work and he can be a legitimate weapon.The return game makes him valuable on day three regardless, but a big 2025 season could push him into second or third round consideration. Needs to show he can handle being the primary target without Lacy around and prove the blocking deficiencies won't kill drives. If he puts up 70+ catches and stays healthy, some team will bet on the speed early. If he struggles with the increased attention, he's looking at rounds 4-6.
This season determines whether he's Tyler Lockett or just another fast guy who can't stay on the field. The tools suggest second-round talent, but the size and blocking issues create real concerns about his ceiling. Smart money says he goes somewhere between rounds 3-5, but don't be shocked if a receiver-needy team takes a flyer earlier if he has a monster year.
How other scouting services rate Aaron Anderson (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
117.0
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
18.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.