Rutgers
Ht. 6-1 Wt. 218
Hands: Sanu has big, strong hands and snatches the ball out of the air well. Drops only come when he allows the ball into his body which doesn’t happen often. He’s one of the more reliable targets of the top level receivers in this draft. He has long arms which allow for a giant catching radius.
Route Running: Sanu has played the WR position for two full seasons. You would expect him to be further behind most in terms of route running, but he’s not. He will have to refine some technique issues in terms of route running in the NFL but has good enough instincts and football IQ to make a quick adjustment. He’s certainly not the best route runner in this draft but I don’t see it being a negative for NFL teams as most will come with experience.
After the Catch: Sanu is dangerous in the open field. He has played out of the Wildcat at times at Rutgers and has running back-like agility at the WR position. He’s not the fastest of receivers but makes up for it with his running instincts. He’s a physical guy that seeks out contact and uses his frame to run through tackles. He works the middle of the field and screen game as well as anyone in this draft and excels in one-on-one situations.
Athleticism: Sanu is one of the most versatile WR’s in this draft. He lined up at multiple positions at Rutgers including playing safety. He’s a playmaker that doesn’t have elite quicks or speed. He’s not overly explosive and may struggle to get separation at the next level which could hamper him going in the top 20.
Bottom Line: Sanu’s versatility make him an intriguing option for teams looking for a playmaker. He lacks the vertical speed to stretch the defense but his ceiling should more than make up for it. He’s still learning the position and could be dangerous once his understands the intricacies of playing WR. May not be ready to jump into the two-deep in camp but could evolve into a starting receiver by midseason.
Draft Projection: Top 30 selection.
