Zebrie Sanders Scouting Report

Zebrie Sanders

Position: Offensive Tackle

School: Florida State

Year: Senior

Height: 6'5

Weight: 308

Draft Stock: 2nd Round / #5 OT

Strengths

-Good frame (6'5 308) with the ability to add more weight

-Uses length to force defenders wide and overrun the pocket.

-Plays with a mean streak. Looks to finish all blocks.

-Quick footwork that allows get good drops and to mirror pass rushers

-Good athlete who can get out and move in the run game and get to the next level

-Gets off the ball and in the right position in the run game.

-Experience. 4 year starter. Played both Left and Right Tackle

-Hard worker, good student, and good citizen.

-Durable. No injury issues.

-Good football IQ. Always prepared. Student of the Game.

-Good potential. Best football is in front of him.

Weaknesses
-Doesn't anchor in the greatest. A good bull rush can get to him.

-Needs to get stronger. More of a finesse blocker. Doesn't drive defenders back on run plays.

-Played mainly at Right Tackle in college. Only played a few games at the end of the season.

-Does a lot of cut blocks

-Doesn't always sustain blocks very long.

-Inconsistent pad level

-Lacks a strong punch to keep defenders off balance.

-Might only be a fit in a Zone Blocking Scheme.

Summary

After spending a majority of his career at Florida State at Right Tackle, Zebrie Sanders got the chance to play Left Tackle when teammate Andrew Datko went down with a season ending injury. Sanders took this opportunity and ran with it. Sanders showed good athletic ability and footwork that you need to protect a Quarterback's blindside. Add in that Sanders has a good frame and long arms and there is no denying why NFL scouts want to take a closer look at him. However for all the physical tools that Zebrie Sanders has, there are some weaknesses. His biggest weakness is his lack of strength. This causes Sanders to struggle to push defenders off their spot in the run game and causes him to get pushed back while in pass pro. But Sanders is a hard worker and student of the game and he'll only get better. Sanders' best fit will be with a team that runs a Zone Blocking scheme that can utilize his athletic ability and help mask some of his strength issues. Sanders has Left Tackle capabilities, but could use some time to get stronger before coming a weekly starter. Because of that he'll likely go in the 2nd round. A good place could be the Texans who are looking to add tackle depth and a future LT. But with a good combine, pro day, and the need for Left Tackles he could slide his way up the draft board and to a team like the New York Giants at the end of the 1st.