2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Raheim Sanders

Last Updated: 9/21/2024

Career Stats

Summary

Raheim Sanders exploded onto the scene as a sophomore in 2022 for the Razorbacks. Sanders appeared in 13 games and produced 1,714 scrimmage yards, putting up the fourth-most rushing yards by a Razorback ever (1,443). In 2023 he struggled to get on the field, battling multiple injuries that limited him to only 284 scrimmage yards. He will look to bounce back in his senior campaign after transferring to South Carolina.

Sanders stands an imposing 6-foot-2, 237 pounds, and runs with every pound behind his pads. His violent style of play is best when he gets north and south and doesn’t waste any time getting there. Unfortunately, he initiates contact more often than not, which sometimes works against him as his pad level could be better. His powerful lower body allows him to drag defenders and power through would-be tacklers.

He presses the line of scrimmage very well and displays good patience to allow holes to open. Within this is creativity and vision to find cut-back lanes in all levels of the field. He has also shown the ability to sidestep defenders in the open field and force missed tackles with nimble footwork. He pairs this with good balance and center gravity to stay upright even when he gets his upper body in front of his feet.

Sanders has good long speed that allows him to rip off chunk plays regularly and making him a big play machine. He also has a great burst through the line of scrimmage and second level. He pairs this with a nice bend to accelerate through his cuts to get downhill quickly and fluidly. If he is asked to change direction quickly laterally, he struggles to stay at top speed or reaccelerate.

As a pass catcher, Sanders is average but has a very limited route tree — mostly relegated to screens and checkdowns. After the catch, he is fluid in his transition to a runner, which allows him to create yards after the catch. I hope to see continued improvement here to help prove he can handle a true three-down role at the NFL level.

Strengths

• North-south runner
• Powerful runner who stays behind his pads
• Good speed and burst   

Weakness

• Relies on his power too much in the open field
• Limited route tree
• Needs to improve pass blocking technique

Honors and Awards

• 2021 SEC All-Freshman (Coaches)
• 2022 First-Team All-SEC (AP, USA Today)
• 2022 Second-Team All-SEC (Coaches, PFF)

Athletic Testing

• 40-yard dash: TBD
• Vertical: TBD
• Broad Jump: TBD
• Three-cone: TBD
• Shuttle: TBD
• Bench: TBD

NFL Role Prediction

Early down power runner

Scheme Fit

Gap

Fantasy Outlook

Sanders needs to land in a spot allowing him to see significant touches to reach his high-end fantasy potential. With a lack of high-end pass-catching upside Sanders needs a heavy rushing team who can give him a Nick Chubb or Derrick Henry-like workload. If not, he could be relegated to early down work and struggle to make a huge fantasy impact.

Player Comparisons

• James Conner
• Najee Harris
• Gus Edwards