Raheim Sanders, RB Arkansas: 2024 NFL Draft Profile
Sanders was a four-star recruit from Rockledge High School in Rockledge, Fla. in the class of 2021
Arkansas running back Raheim “Rocket” Sanders is a freak athlete. The All-SEC running back offers a unique combination of size, burst, and speed. He will compete for the top running back spot in the 2024 NFL Draft.
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Raheim Sanders, RB Arkansas: 2024 NFL Draft Profile
Classification: Junior running back from Rockledge, Fla.
Background: Sanders was a four-star recruit from Rockledge High School in Rockledge, Fla. in the class of 2021. He was the No. 272 recruit according to 247Sports and No. 315 for On3.com. Sanders was an unranked four-star recruit for Rivals and an unranked three-star recruit for ESPN with a 78 grade out of 100. He played running back, wide receiver, and linebacker in high school. As a senior, Sanders rushed for 317 yards and four touchdowns while making 24 receptions for 391 yards and four touchdowns. He also amassed 237 kick return yards with a touchdown. As a junior, Sanders made 15 receptions for 368 yards and two touchdowns and totaled 225 kick return yards. He recorded eight tackles for loss and six sacks as a junior. Sanders also played basketball and competed in track and field in high school. He averaged 9.5 points and 5.7 rebounds per game as a junior. Sanders was born on June 8, 2002. According to Arkansas, he bench presses 365 pounds and squats 515 pounds. The All-SEC running back has a son, Raheim Jr.
Injuries & Off-Field: Exited 2022 Liberty Bowl with a lower body injury
Awards: 2021 SEC All-Freshman Team, 2022 Second Team All-SEC, 2022 First Team All-SEC (Associated Press)
Pros: Linebacker size at running back, shows patience behind the line and presses close to his blockers, footwork helps him make the first defender miss in the hole, jump cuts to make the first defender miss, dead legs and stiff arms, lowers pad level when running between the tackles, breaks out of arm tackles, keeps legs moving through contact, leg drive will move the pile, flashes of dynamic playmaking with the ball in his hands, good understanding and use of blocks in the open field, mixes tempo to set defenders up for moves, generates speed from power, impressive top speed to stress defensive backs on long plays, burst once he reaches the second level, burst carries him through the second and third levels, appears comfortable and willing in pass pro, squares up with blitzers to halt momentum in pass pro
Cons: Three fumbles in 2022, not twitchy, limited agility to execute sudden and sharp moves, runs high, vision is hit or miss, instances of struggling to navigate through congested space, appears hesitant to fully accelerate through tight spaces, patient to a fault, needs to run with more urgency, needs to hit the gas sooner, needs to give it up and get North-South, speed only pops once he hits open grass, stiff arms failed to deter Alabama defenders (2022), despite size he isn’t a powerful runner, too many instances of being brought down by first contact, doesn’t erase angles, doesn’t quite have the juice to bounce runs outside consistently, limited involvement in the passing game, route running doesn’t generate consistent separation, shouldn’t be counted on as a pass catcher
Overview: Sanders has excellent size for a running back. He is patient in the backfield and presses close to his blockers before finding the hole. His footwork and cuts help him make the first defender miss in the hole. Sanders also frequently uses a stiff arm and sparingly tosses out a spin move or dead leg. He runs high in the open field but lowers his pad level between the tackles. Sanders’ build and lower body strength help him break out of arm tackles. He keeps his legs moving through contact and has the lower body power to move the pile. There are flashes of Sanders creating dynamic plays with the ball in his hands, but he has limited agility and twitch to execute sudden or sharp moves. The All-SEC selection knows how to use his blockers in the open field. He mixes his tempo to set defenders up for moves. His nickname “rocket” is fitting, considering his impressive top speed. Sanders’ burst kicks in at the second level and carries him deep into the secondary. He isn’t heavily involved in the passing game at Arkansas and doesn’t run a diverse route tree. Sanders fails to generate separation when facing linebackers on routes and can’t be counted on as a volume pass catcher in the NFL. However, the Florida native is comfortable operating in pass protection. He squares up to blitzers and halts their momentum with his large frame. He’ll need to learn to sustain blocks, but he is further along as a pass protector than many college backs. Sanders isn’t a twitchy athlete and lacks high-end agility. His vision is hit-or-miss as he sometimes struggles to navigate through congested spaces. The junior appears hesitant to accelerate through tight spaces and is patient to a fault behind the line of scrimmage. He needs to run with more urgency and hit the gas sooner. He only accelerates and activates his burst once he sees a runway to open grass. Sanders’ stiff arms failed to deter Alabama defenders (2022). Despite his size, the former four-star recruit isn’t a true power back. He is brought down by first contact too often. This was especially true in the 2022 match against Alabama. Sanders offers speed and burst, but he falls short of elite in both categories. He doesn’t erase angles against quality competition and doesn’t have the juice to bounce runs outside consistently.
Overall, Sanders offers an impressive mix of size, burst, and speed, but his running style and lack of involvement in the passing game make him somewhat one-dimensional. Sanders needs to run with more urgency instead of waiting for the perfect gap to reveal itself.
Role & Scheme Fit: Inside zone running back with developmental three-down upside
Round Projection: Late Second Round
Size: 6'2", 237 lbs. (Unofficial)
Submitted: 07-28-23