The NFL Draft will begin on April 24, 2025. We take a look at Oklahoma wide receiver Nic Anderson.
Coming out of high school, Anderson was a three-star recruit by ESPN and 247 Sports. He committed to Oklahoma over schools like Arkansas, Notre Dame, Oregon, and others. There is high anticipation for the redshirt sophomore heading into 2024.
During his first full season in 2023, Anderson amassed 31 receptions, 725 yards (23.4 yards per catch), and 10 touchdowns. He was named a freshman All-American by The Athletic and set a school record for touchdown receptions by a freshman.
Nic Anderson, Wide Reciever, Oklahoma
Name: Nic Anderson
Jersey: No. 4
Position: Wide Receiver (X/Z or Slot)
School: Oklahoma
Class: Redshirt Sophomore
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 219 lbs.
Awards: Freshman All-American (2023)
Games Watched: Arizona (2023), TCU (2023), UCF (2023), West Virginia (2023)
Major Injury History: None
Oklahoma WR Nic Anderson – Early Top 5 WR for 2025 #NFL Draft.
6’4″ 210lbs.
– Good release vs Off/Press Man due to good acceleration and foot quickness to eat up space quickly while attacking CBs outside shoulder vs Press
– Good vision and mental processing at all levels vs… pic.twitter.com/p6IDdNYX5P— • Colton Edwards • (@cedwardsNFL) May 27, 2024
Nic Anderson – Strengths
Anderson displays a good release versus off-man coverage due to good acceleration and foot quickness to eat up space quickly while attacking defensive backs’ outside shoulders against press. Following that release, he can quickly create separation over the top due to good foot speed, showcasing a remarkable stop-and-go capability that causes defenders to commit.
Good vision and mental processing at all levels versus zone coverage to find a void. His ability to separate on breaks is due to good change of direction, body control, balance, and burst, providing the quarterback with a window.
Anderson has good and strong hands due to good hand-eye coordination, ball tracking, and body control, enabling him to catch the ball from his frame and secure catches in the contest. He can also adjust mid-route to snag passes that are behind or too high, high-pointing the football.
His attributes also translate into efficient route running and a threat after the catch (YAC) due to his elusiveness, lateral agility, change of direction, and burst, which allow him to execute sharp cuts or quickly get up field.
Nic Anderson – Weaknesses
Adequate pad level resulting in playing too tall heading into his stems at times. Despite his explosion and COD, his upright route-running due to his height can expose his frame to jams and slow hip transitions off breaks.
He needs to become more consistent in planting his foot and driving out of stems. Adequate play strength and leverage control as a run blocker due to hand placement and angles.
Summary
Anderson is currently projected to be selected in the late Day 2 or early Day 3 range. That said, his potential is high due to numerous factors that will enable him to enter the first- and second-round conversation with more technical development throughout the 2024 season.
Overall, Anderson is a big-bodied receiver who displays versatility to serve as a starting X receiver, transition to Z, or become a power slot for an NFL offense. He has the potential to be physically dominant and explosive consistently.
Draft Projection: Second Round
Grade: First Round
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