NFL Draft: 3 breakout candidates ahead of the 2021 College Football season

Adam Anderson, Edge, Georgia

Adam Anderson is explosiveness encapsulated in human form. The way he explodes off the line of scrimmage and carries that speed up the arc is truly a sight to behold. In a deep-edge rusher class, Adam Anderson is getting lost in the mix of talent, but he deserves to stand out. Anderson possesses both linear athleticism and flexibility that can expose opposing offensive tackles in a multitude of ways. On the outside arc, Anderson will be in the offensive tackle’s face in an instant; he will then drop his shoulder, bend his hips and ankles, and corner into the pocket before the tackle can get his body positioned correctly. That speed on the outside will cause offensive tackles to overset, which then opens up the B gap, and he will quickly counter inside and get to the quarterback anyways. However, speed is his only game right now.

Adam Anderson sorely lacks a power aspect in his game right now. With his explosiveness, if he can add a bull rush and some more physical aspects to his game, this is a top edge rusher in this class. Looking at the last few drafts, the top edge rusher can win with both finesse and power. Look no further than Kayvon Thibodeaux to see a well-rounded edge rusher. Anderson has half of that down, he just needs the other half.

With Azeez Ojulari now in the NFL, Adam Anderson should be in a prominent role at Georgia this fall. This means he is in the best position possible to succeed and show that he has added a power side to his game. The potential is there, or as some say, the ceiling is the roof.