Jack Anderson NFL Draft Overview
Position: Interior Offensive Line
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 314 Lbs.
School: Texas Tech University
Pro Day Performance Data
40-yard dash: 5.26 seconds
Vertical jump: 29.5”
Broad jump: 8’9”
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 27
Jack Anderson 2021 NFL Draft Profile
One of the most physical players in this year’s offensive line class, Jack Anderson is an interesting NFL Draft target. A four-star recruit out of Frisco High School in Texas, Anderson was the 77th-ranked target in his class. He received offers from college monoliths including Alabama, Oklahoma, and Texas, but stuck closer to home. Starting as a true freshman and departing after his redshirt-junior year, Anderson made 38 appearances across four years with the Red Raiders. He was their starting right guard in each of his starts. After his redshirt junior season, he was named to the All-Big 12 first team. Interestingly, he also made the Academic All-Big 12 first team in three consecutive seasons.
In Anderson, teams can trust they’re getting a consistent player. Given his reliability on the line, teams could have plentiful interest in the young guard. Further, he displays solid size and movement skills at the guard position. He performed well at his pro day, earning a really nice 8.58 relative athletic score. While his blocking technique could use some adjustments, he provided really sturdy play with the Red Raiders. In 2020, he graded as Pro Football Focus’s 21st-ranked guard in college, earning a 78.8 grade. However, his pass-blocking grade of 86.2 was the 13th-best rating in the college game. In a league that’s constantly chasing ways to protect the quarterback, that skill is a premium one for Anderson.
Strengths
- Really good footwork in pass blocking step-backs;
- Packs a punch off the snap;
- Moves his feet pretty well regardless of the situation;
- Likes to play physical and go on the attack;
- Does an outstanding job getting to second level targets;
- Keeps feet chopping and stays active on every play;
- Puts opponents on skates in power running sets.
Weaknesses
- Seems to lose some of his power and push as a play develops;
- Does tend to lunge and overextend with some regularity;
- Ends up on the ground too often;
- Hand placement doesn’t always land where it’s needed;
- Succumbs to some bullrushes from bigger-bodied defenders;
- Occasionally backsteps too far back and into the pocket in passing sets.
NFL Comparison: Nick Martin
Teams With Need at Position: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Pittsburgh Steelers, Cincinnati Bengals, Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Chargers, Dallas Cowboys, Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Rams
Projection: Seventh Round
Bottom Line on Jack Anderson
Not overwhelmingly appealing in a deep line class, Jack Anderson should provide a team with some solid depth. While his ceiling isn’t very high, he has a low floor and could provide immediate bench support. Given his strong pass-blocking ability at Texas Tech, teams could be willing to invest in him earlier than later on Day 3. However, if he winds up an undrafted free agent, he’ll have a swooning market. Some professional teams have conducted multiple conversations with Anderson in the lead-up to the draft. Most boards don’t have him falling for the seventh round, but his pro-day performance might’ve changed that narrative. Anderson isn’t a perfect prospect and might not be a long-term starter. Still, his value as a next-man-up guard and center should allow him to get drafted.
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