Anto Saka, Northwestern: 2025 NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

Saka was a four-star recruit from Loyola Blakefield in Towson, Md. in the class of 2022

Northwestern edge rusher Anto Saka doesn’t have many snaps under his belt yet, but he’s an explosive speed rusher who posted several wins against quality competition in 2023. Saka projects as a late Day 3 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft who could quickly rise with a breakout season.

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Anto Saka, Edge Northwestern: 2025 NFL Draft Profile

Classification: Junior outside linebacker from Phoenix, Md.

Background: Saka was a four-star recruit from Loyola Blakefield in Towson, Md. in the class of 2022. He was the No. 257 recruit according to 247Sports, No. 191 for Rivals, and No. 236 for On3.com. Saka was an unranked three-star recruit for ESPN with a 78 grade out of 100. As a high school senior, he totaled 46 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, nine sacks, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery in eight games. Saka split time between defensive end and linebacker as a junior. Per MaxPreps, he produced 60 tackles, five tackles for loss, a sack, and an interception as a sophomore. Saka also participated on the track and field team. He ran an 11.50 100-meter dash and threw 41-4 in the shot put during his junior season. Saka also ran on the 4x100 relay team. He ran a 4.62 40-yard dash as a junior.

Injuries & Off-Field: Missed Iowa and Wisconsin games in 2023, injured during third quarter vs. Nebraska (2023) but returned later in the game

Awards: N/A

Pros: Motor runs hot, good straight line speed, explosive first step, rapid feet, rapidly pushes vertically, relentless leg drive, good closing burst, bend to flatten rush angle to quarterback, uses limited arm length well to access lineman’s frame, speed to blow past Graham Barton for a sack (2023), speed rush, cross-chop, rip move, reduces surface area for contact with half-man rush, powerful core, stout contact balance in lower half, excellent speed on stunts, relentless QB pursuit, attacks the B-gap when tackles overset, tossed Julian Pearl on his way to a game-ending sack vs. Illinois (2023), good job stacking blocks, tight hand placement into OT’s chest vs. vertical run game to stack blocks, resets LOS when driving TE blocks into the backfield, pinches the line on inside runs, quickly separates from blocks on inside runs, speed and effort help make plays in pursuit, experience taking shallow zone drops over MOF and flat, asked once to cover TE in man coverage vs. Duke and held his own (2023)

Cons: Fewer than 200 career defensive snaps entering 2024, limited special teams experience, penalized three times in 2023, limited arm length, inconsistent timing the snap, occasionally takes too many short strides when releasing from line, upright pad level makes him big target for linemen, impressive but not elite bend, limited pass rush arsenal, limited mid-rush counters, hand usage needs to be refined, lacks elite COD, willingness to collapse down the line softens the edge for runs, doesn’t set a hard edge vs. off-tackle runs, gap integrity in run defense

Overview: Saka primarily lines up as a 5-tech in two and three-point stances for Northwestern. He is an inexperienced player with fewer than 200 career defensive snaps and limited special teams experience entering 2024. Saka’s arm length is limited, but he mitigates this issue with tight and precise hand placement to access the lineman’s frame. He is a high motor defender with an explosive first step that pairs well with his straight line speed and rapid footwork. He has enough bend to flatten his rush angle to the quarterback and uses his closing burst to finish plays. This combination of athletic traits helped Saka fly past Graham Barton for a sack in 2023. The junior’s pass rush arsenal primarily relies on speed rushes, cross-chops, rip moves, and winning with his traits on stunts. He needs to diversify his pass rush plan and counters to play a larger role on a down-to-down basis. Saka plays in half-man well, reducing his surface area and preventing tackles with superior arm length from locking him out. He punishes tackles who overset by attacking the B-gap. Saka isn’t built like a power rusher, but he plays with relentless leg drive and flashes some impressive upper body and core strength. He discarded Illinois’ Julian Pearl for what was essentially a game-ending sack in 2023 with surprising strength for a player listed unofficially at 245 lbs. Saka is inconsistent at timing the snap and occasionally takes small, unnecessary steps off the line that sap his explosiveness. He plays with an upright pad level and lacks the elite bend to maximize his first step consistently. The Maryland native’s hands are active but lack refinement and purpose. His lack of high end change of direction skills occasionally pops up as he attempts to track down the quarterback. As a run defender, Saka uses the contact balance in his lower half and his tight hand placement to stack blocks. He resets the line of scrimmage when matched up with tight ends by driving them into the backfield. Saka quickly separates from blocks on inside run plays and uses his speed and motor to make plays in pursuit. He compresses the line on inside runs, but this willingness to collapse inside causes him to set soft edges against the run. He needs to play with greater gap integrity to prevent running backs from bouncing runs outside. The former four-star recruit shows some promise taking shallow zone drops in coverage. It’s not a role he’ll play often in the NFL, but he’s capable of using his speed to cover a good chunk of space.

Overall, Saka is an explosive pass rusher who posted multiple high quality wins in 2023 on a limited snap count. He needs more reps to naturally develop his game and become a more consistent and refined rusher. Saka’s lack of arm length and mass could become limiting factors if his play on the field doesn’t transcend his build.  

Role & Scheme Fit: Designated pass rusher in a 3-4 scheme

Round Grade: Sixth Round/Incomplete

Size: 6'4", 245 lbs. (Unofficial)

Submitted: 06-29-24