From now until the 2022 NFL Draft takes place, we hope to scout and create profiles for as many prospects as possible, examining their strengths, weaknesses, and what they can bring to an NFL franchise. These players could be potential top 10 picks, all the way down to Day 3 selections and priority undrafted free agents. Today, I’ll be profiling a small-school linebacker prospect that turned heads down in Mobile, but his true position in the pros remains a topic up for debate.
#15 Troy Andersen, LB, Montana State (R-Senior) – 6032, 242lb
Measurements
Senior Bowl/Combine Invite
| Player | Ht/Wt | Hand Size | Arm Length | Wingspan |
| Troy Andersen | 6’3 1/4″, 242lb | 9 3/8″ | 32 1/8″ | 77 5/8″ |
| 40-Yard Dash | 10-Yard Dash | Short Shuttle | 3-Cone | |
| Broad Jump | Vertical | Bench Press | ||
| N/A | N/A |
The Good
— Great size with a long frame for the position
— Highly athletic player, having been an all-conference linebacker and quarterback at the FCS level
— Extremely versatile on both sides of the football, having played running back and safety in high school, has spent time at QB, RB, and LB during his time in college
— Has the open field speed and acceleration to pursue the ballcarrier and close ground quickly to the ball
— Has the burst to trigger downfield against the run, being effective at shooting gaps
— High motor defender whether it be playing against the run, covering the pass, or chasing down the QB
— At his best when freed up to run-and-chase sideline to sideline
— Has the ability to play in the box as well as an overhang defender in coverage
— Coverage skill set has improved throughout the year and into Senior Bowl week, having the ability to run with backs and TEs over the middle of the field and up the seam
— Has the experience and skill set to play in packages as a wildcat QB, H-Back, or even at potentially TE
— Will be a special teams demon immediately running down kicks and punts
— High-character individual who excels as a leader in the locker room, in the classroom, and off the field with his service work
— Athletic traits don’t always matchup with his actual play speed
— Seems to be slow to read and diagnose at times, leaving his eyes in the backfield a little too long as the play develops
— Tends to overrun his pursuit angles against the run
— Will run into blockers willingly rather than working through trash around the LOS, question his change of direction skills
— Struggles at shedding blocks when contacted by blockers who get to the second level, immediately giving up ground
— Consistency in pursuit needs to be improved with quicker processing and taking less false steps
— Lateral movement skills come into question when keeping shoulders square to LOS against the run or when tasked with coverage over the middle of the field
— Still growing in terms of anticipation and breaking on the football against the pass
— Could be classified as a position less player that is good at several things but isn’t exceptional in any one category
— More of a Swiss Army Knife-type of player who is used in certain packages rather than in a full-time role?