NFL Draft Profile: Alec Anderson, Offensive Tackle, UCLA Bruins

NFL draft profile scouting report for UCLA offensive tackle, Alec Anderson

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#70
Pos: OT
Ht: 6050
Wt: 303
DOB: _/_/_
Eligible: 2022
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Etiwanda High School

Alec Anderson
UCLA Bruins

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Pros:

Ezring: Obtaining the starting job on short notice after a COVID-affected offseason is a daunting task at any level. Alec Anderson, though, shined at first-string right tackle in 2020. The talented lineman’s playstyle is built around his raw power and movement skills. The Bruins’ product possesses impressive upper body strength to displace and control defenders with his first punch. What’s more, he has the grip strength to sustain blocks. He also exhibits a natural anchor that even stands up to contact to his frame. Once engaged, Anderson displays strong leg drive to walk defenders back. The UCLA standout has the mindset and wherewithal to finish his blocks on the ground. Additionally, the one-year starter has the short-area quickness and burst to handle reach blocks, pull to the front-side C gap or climb to the second and third levels. His lateral agility enables him to mirror up the outside track. Anderson also boasts a flexible frame that enhances his power and anchor. While he is an extremely raw prospect, the UCLA tackle has flashed a basic understanding of hand counters. He learned to reset his hands to gain leverage during a snap and his trap technique improved in each game of 2020. Further, Anderson has the tools to manage distance at a high level. In pass protection, the athletic lineman seeks out contact when he is otherwise unoccupied. Finally, Anderson has experience at guard and tackle and can very reasonably kick inside at the next level.

Leinweber: Starting at right tackle for the Bruins, Anderson possesses above-average athleticism in space, allowing him to work to the second level. He displays good eyes and timing on combo blocks. Above-average foot speed helps him gain sufficient depth and he has the movement skills and lateral agility to mirror rushers. Anderson seals rush lanes and the edge, showing a very good understanding of leverage and angles. He replaces his hands, gaining inside positioning and has sufficient grip strength to control rushers.

Pun: Alec Anderson has great athletic gifts that project a fairly high ceiling at right tackle. His stellar lateral mobility allows Anderson to easily make scoop blocks in a zone running scheme and also excel at climbing to the 2nd level, executing well when positioning himself to block a linebacker. Furthermore, Anderson flashes violent hands when helping out on combo blocks and packs a punch in his strike, displacing defenders when he can hit them from the side. Anderson is often used to get out in space and block defensive backs where he shows great foot speed and good balance to make solid contact at the point of attack. In the passing game, Anderson has the short-area quickness to cover ground well on a 45-degree kick step and establishes a half-man relationship versus average athletes. He possesses great arm length which provides him the opportunity to keep defenders away from his chest, when his strike lands.

Cons:

Ezring: While athleticism is a crucial piece of any prospect’s resume, technique is necessary to find consistent success in the NFL. At this stage in his development, Anderson’s game sorely lacks refinement. He regularly plays with a high pad level and invites contact to his frame. Similarly, he employs wide and high punches which only further allow defenders into his chest. Anderson’s impressive power is, consequently, functionally reduced. Moreover, the UCLA starter’s high pad level causes him to straighten his legs while engaged. This precludes him from driving his legs to create space in the run game. Additionally, Anderson allows late pressure by losing leverage as the play draws on. The Bruins’ tackle also allows his upper and lower body to fall out of sync behind his shots. He even hops into his punches at times. What’s more, he plays with inconsistent balance thanks to his narrow base. His feet even cross at times. Anderson also tends to chase defenders rather than cut them off; this wastes energy and leaves him out of position to protect the ball carrier or quarterback. Furthermore, the athletic lineman struggles to identify and engage his assignments. In his vertical sets, Anderson gives up a soft inside shoulder which leaves him vulnerable to power moves. The raw tackle also throws defenders inside which can result in an injury.

Leinweber: Struggling when faced with pure speed off the edge, Anderson fails to maximize his foot speed, ending up with a narrow base or opening his hips at the apex. He will lunge and stop moving his feet, having his process sped up. On quick sets, he lacks patience and allows rushers to win the outside shoulder. Power rushers find success as Anderson leaves his chest vacated using wide hands and has a below-average anchor. Opponents regularly beat his punch at the point of attack as he will throw his hands into swipes. After having his hands beat his balance and recovery ability is merely average. Below average core strength means his upper body is impacted by strikes. Anderson is late to recognize stunts and adapt his angles.

Pun: Anderson is an extremely raw offensive lineman who needs to gain consistency in his technique. Firstly, Anderson’s pad level is atrocious and hurts his ability to garner push in the run game - he regularly lunges when asked to make drive blocks in a gap/power concept which leads him to being off-balance and tossed aside. In the passing game, Anderson struggles versus speed to the edge and his technique gets even worse when he needs to speed himself up. Furthermore, Anderson must improve his wide hand placement and antsy hand timing - he is always looking to punch first and defenders have used that to their advantage. In addition, Anderson struggles to refit his hands once he initially misses his punch (due to wide hands) or his punch gets defeated. Finally, Anderson’s anchoring ability is marginal due to his poor pad level, tendency to leave his chest open and refusal to drop his weight.

Summary:

Ezring: A gifted-but-raw prospect, Alec Anderson has starting potential at guard and tackle. His athletic traits are undeniably at an NFL level; however, the UCLA standout’s technique is below average. Still, Anderson may thrive with a full offseason as the Bruins’ starter. His inside-outside versatility should make him rosterable while he develops. 

Leinweber: Average-sized right tackle with above-average athletic ability. Anderson succeeds when working to the second level and has the movement skills to pass protect at the next level. He has his process sped up by speed rushers and is a hunting ground for power rushers due to his below-average anchor. Anderson projects as a developmental tackle with a shot to make a roster, otherwise sticking on a practice squad. His athleticism can allow him to develop into a backup in the future.

Pun: Anderson’s athletic gifts will intrigue many teams but he needs to apply technical fundamentals and ideally develop behind a veteran. He projects well in a zone heavy offense that can provide their tackle with pass protection help from running backs and tight ends. The tools are there for Anderson to become an average tackle but he has a long way to go and must kick multiple bad habits.

Background:

Born in Rancho Cucamonga, California to parents Anders and Chrissy Anderson, Alec Anderson is one of four siblings. He has two sisters and one brother. The talented tackle was a standout lineman at Etiwanda High School. In fact, Anderson holds the record for most pancake blocks in Etiwanda’s history - an accomplishment he has referred to as his biggest thrill. For his stellar high school career, 247Sports Composite Rankings listed the versatile blocker as a three-star recruit. The same outlet named him the 778th-overall recruit in the nation, the 59th-best offensive tackle in his class and the 79th-ranked recruit in the state of California. Anderson exercised his redshirt after seeing the field in three games during his first year at UCLA. The young tackle found the field in 10 games, starting three, in his sophomore season. Entering 2020, Anderson was expected to back up Jake Burton; however, the latter transferred to Baylor in August. This left the Fontana, CA native atop the depth chart at right tackle. Anderson thrived in the starting role in 2020 and is poised for a big jump after a full offseason as the starter under his belt. He also earned a spot on the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll for the Spring 2020 semester. The athletic tackle has experience at guard and tackle for the Bruins. Anderson has named NFL legend, Joe Thomas, as his most admired famous athlete. Cory Harkey, a UCLA tight end from 2008-2011, is the Bruins’ standout’s uncle. Anderson enjoys playing basketball in his spare time. 

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One-Liners

Ezring: Although extremely raw in every area of his game, Alec Anderson’s athleticism affords him starter upside. He may break out next year after a full offseason as UCLA’s starter. 

Leinweber: Right tackle with above-average athletic ability. Developmental player who can develop into a backup.

Pun: Athletically gifted developmental right tackle who excels in a zone scheme but must improve his pad level and hand usage.

Grades

Current Player Value/Potential Player Value

Ezring: 6.8 / 8.4

Leinweber: 6.4 / 7.1

Pun: 6.7 / 8.0