Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
With the draft less than two weeks away Beargoggleson will continue breaking down a wide range of options for the Chicago Bears in the 2015 draft. We started with the potential first round options, are now profiling some possible day 2 prospects, and will finish up with some under the radar day 3 players who I think could be good fits for the Bears new schemes on both sides of the ball. As always, if you have any complaints, advice, or questions please let us know in the comments or on Twitter.
College Career:
4-year player who was productive since he stepped on the field as a freshman. Anderson was heavily decorated with Pac12 awards during his time with the Cardinal. His awards included: 1st team All-Pac12 (2104), Honorable mention All-Pac12 (2013, despite missing 6 games), 2nd team All-Pac12 (2012), and 3-time 1st-team Pac12 All-Academic (2012-2014). Anderson’s senior season was his best with a team leading 15 TFLs and 8.5 sacks.
Strengths:
Versatile player who can be either a 3-4 DE or a 4.3 DT. Anderson uses his hands well to keep separation from blockers and can shed quickly enough to be an impact run stopper. He doesn’t have any one athletic trait that stands out, but Anderson has an excellent motor and combined with a consistently low pad level, polished pass rush moves, and good instincts the result is solid production against both the run and pass.
Weaknesses:
His lack of one defining trait is probably his biggest weakness. Anderson doesn’t look very impressive with the pads off and teams could have a hard time pinning down what he does well. He’s just a good football player with natural instincts and better athleticism than you would expect from his build.
Bears Fit:
A 5-tech DE might be the Bears biggest draft need. Coming from a 4-3 scheme they just don’t have many players that profile well at DE in a 3-4. Anderson has enough talent and football savvy to contribute as a rookie and he could push recent free agent signing Jarvis Jenkins for a starting position by the end of 2015. If the Bears can draft Anderson in the 3rd round it would be a good value pick, if they get him in the 4th it’s a steal.
Draft Projection:
3rd-4th round
Highlights: