Anto Saka DE/EDGE Texas A&M |
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| Jersey: #4 SUB-POSITION: EDGE RUSHER | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 08/03/2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2027 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FORTY time: 4.60 seconds (93%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 22.3 DOB: 04/12/2004 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Jersey: #4 | |
| SUB-POSITION: EDGE RUSHER | |
| Last Updated: 08/03/2026 | |
| Draft Year: 2027 | |
| Forty time: 4.60 seconds (93%*) | |
| Age: 22.3 DOB: 04/12/2004 | |
| Overall Rating: |
83.6 / 100
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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73% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Tackling: |
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63% |
| Pass Rush: |
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85% |
| Run Defense: |
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57% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
4th
Overall Rank:
#110
Position rank:
#16 (DL)
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| College Games: 33 College Snaps: 739 | ||
ESPN RATING: 78/100
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247 RATING: 92/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.8 (95%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Jalyx Hunt - Houston Christian |
|
93% |
| Malachi Lawrence - UCF |
|
85% |
| K.J. Henry - Clemson |
|
83% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Born into Maryland's competitive high school football landscape, Saka emerged as one of the state's most coveted defensive talents, earning four-star recognition from 247Sports and Rivals while posting nine sacks in just eight games as a senior, with sprinter speed from his track background.After redshirting in 2022, Saka piled up 5.5 sacks across 11 games as a redshirt freshman in 2023, the most by a Northwestern player in a debut season since 2017. A rib injury slowed his 2024 campaign, though he still earned All-Big Ten honorable mention.
Playing 11 games as a redshirt junior in 2025, Saka recorded 13 tackles, four tackles for loss, three sacks, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery, repeating as an All-Big Ten honorable mention selection. His top outing came against Purdue, when he produced a sack, a forced fumble, and a season-high six pressures, and he stripped the ball again against Michigan. After the season he entered the transfer portal and signed with Texas A&M for 2026.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Explosive edge speed, among the quickest first steps in the group
- A high-level pass rusher, generating thirty pressures on limited snaps
- Beat UCLA for two sacks with a pure speed-to-corner win
- Forced two fumbles, including a strip against Purdue
- Bends the corner and flattens to the quarterback with loose hips
- Disrupts as a designated rusher in clear passing situations
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Poor against the run, offering little as an early-down edge
- Recorded only seven run stops on the year, a one-dimensional profile
- Light at 255 pounds, giving way when tackles get into his frame
- Played a limited role, a passing-down specialist for now
Scouting Report: Summary
Saka is an explosive speed rusher whose pass rush was excellent even on a limited snap count, a loose-hipped edge who bends the corner and flattens to the quarterback. He beat UCLA for two sacks with pure speed, forced two fumbles including a strip against Purdue, and piled up thirty pressures as a designated rusher. The first step and the bend are real, projectable traits, and they are the reason his name carries despite the modest role.The rest of the game is a work in progress. His washed at the point in the run game, he managed only seven run stops on the year, and at 255 pounds he gives way when tackles get into his frame. The snap count stayed limited because he is a passing-down specialist right now, not an every-down edge. The profile is narrow, and an NFL defense will have to protect him from early-down run duty until he adds strength.
Used as a sub-package rusher, he can win on third down immediately while he develops the run-defense side and adds mass. The bend and burst give him a real role and a high ceiling if the rest catches up, but the one-dimensional tape caps the present grade. He projects as a Day 3 designated rusher with upside, a speed weapon worth a bet in the right defensive role.
How other scouting services rate Anto Saka (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
84.3
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
25.0
*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.