Ryan Anderson (linebacker)

Ryan Anderson (born August 12, 1994) is an American football linebacker who is a free agent. He played college football at Alabama and was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft.

Not to be confused with Ryan Anderson (punter).

Ryan Anderson
refer to caption
Anderson with the Washington Redskins in 2017
Personal information
Born: (1994-08-12) August 12, 1994
Daphne, Alabama, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:255 lb (116 kg)
Career information
High school:Daphne (AL)
College:Alabama
Position:Linebacker
NFL Draft:2017 / Round: 2 / Pick: 49
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career NFL statistics as of 2022
Total tackles:87
Sacks:6.0
Forced fumbles:5
Fumble recoveries:2
Pass deflections:1
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Early years

Anderson attended Daphne High School in Daphne, Alabama. He had 75 tackles and 14.5 sacks for the football team during his junior year. As a senior, he had 105 tackles and 12 sacks as a senior. A 4-star recruit, Anderson committed to Alabama to play college football over offers from Illinois, Kentucky, Memphis, South Alabama, South Florida, Tennessee, UAB, and Western Kentucky.[1][2]

College career

After redshirting his first year at Alabama in 2012, Anderson played in all 13 games in 2013 and had 1.5 sacks. As a sophomore in 2014, he played in all 14 games, recording 25 tackles and three sacks. As a junior in 2015, he had 37 tackles and six sacks.[3][4][5] He returned to Alabama for his senior year in 2016.[6] As a senior, Anderson recorded 61 tackles, 8.5 sacks, one interception, three forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, three pass deflections and a defensive touchdown.[7]

Professional career
Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span40-yard dash10-yard split20-yard splitThree-cone drillVertical jump
6 ft 2 in
(1.88 m)		 253 lb
(115 kg)		 31+1⁄2 in
(0.80 m)		 9+3⁄8 in
(0.24 m)		4.78 s1.76 s2.79 s7.73 s28+1⁄2 in
(0.72 m)
All values from NFL Combine/Alabama's Pro Day[8][9]

Anderson received an invitation to the Senior Bowl, but was unable to play in the game after he dislocated his thumb during the first day of practice.[10] He attended the NFL Combine and decided to not perform the short shuttle, broad jump, bench press, and three-cone drill. Anderson also participated at Alabama's Pro Day, but opted to only perform the three-cone and positional drills. He was projected to be a second to fourth round pick by several analysts.[11][12][13]

Washington Redskins / Football Team

The Washington Redskins selected Anderson in the second round (49th overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft.[14] On May 11, 2017, the Redskins signed Anderson to a four-year, $5.32 million contract with $2.71 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $2.01 million.[15] Along with being a backup outside linebacker behind starters Ryan Kerrigan and Preston Smith, Anderson took offensive snaps at fullback during his rookie season.[16]

Anderson (left) in a game against the New York Giants in 2019

In Week 13 of the 2019 season, Anderson got his first career start against the Carolina Panthers as a replacement for Ryan Kerrigan, who suffered a concussion the previous game. Anderson was ejected in that game due to a helmet-to-helmet hit he inflicted on tight end Greg Olsen.[17] The next game against the Green Bay Packers, he recorded a strip sack against quarterback Aaron Rodgers as well as recovered the fumble.[18] Anderson would be named a starter before Week 15 after Kerrigan was placed on injured reserve. In his second start against the Philadelphia Eagles, Anderson had a dominating performance recording two sacks and three force fumbles.[19] Anderson was placed on injured reserve on December 12, 2020,[20] and left the team via free agency the following offseason.

New York Giants

Anderson signed a one-year, $1.13 million contract with the New York Giants on March 25, 2021.[21][22] On August 28, 2021, Anderson was suspended for the first six games of the 2021 season due to violating the NFL's policy on performance enhancing substances.[23] He was released two days later.[24]

Pittsburgh Steelers

On September 13, 2022, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed Anderson to their practice squad.[25] He was promoted to the active roster on October 8.[26] He was released on November 8.[27]

References
  1. Alabama commitment Ryan Anderson wants to be judged by his play on the field
  2. "Ryan Anderson, 2012 Outside Linebacker - Rivals.com". N.rivals.com. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  3. Ryan Anderson preaches patience in final go-around at Alabama
  4. Don't call Alabama LB Ryan Anderson a pass rusher
  5. Tide linebacker Ryan Anderson eager to deliver some blows
  6. Another Alabama defender to pass on draft, this time Ryan Anderson
  7. "Ryan Anderson College Stats".
  8. "NFL Draft Profile: Ryan Anderson". NFL.com. Retrieved May 15, 2017.
  9. "Ryan Anderson, DS #8 OLB, Alabama". nfldraftscout.com. Retrieved May 15, 2017.
  10. Aaron Suttles (January 26, 2017). "Ryan Anderson in search of bigger spotlight at Senior Bowl". Alabama.rivals.com. Retrieved May 30, 2017.
  11. Chris Burke (April 22, 2017). "2017 NFL draft rankings: Top prospects by position". si.com. Retrieved May 30, 2017.
  12. Jeff Legwold (April 22, 2017). "Ranking the 2017 Drafts Top 100 Prospects". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 30, 2017.
  13. Bucky Brooks (April 25, 2017). "Bucky Brooks' top 5 2017 NFL Draft prospects by position 3.0". NFL.com. Retrieved May 30, 2017.
  14. Kring-Schreifels, Jake (April 28, 2017). "Redskins Select Ryan Anderson With Second-Round Pick In 2017 NFL Draft". Redskins.com.
  15. "Spotrac.com: Ryan Anderson contract". spotrac.com. Retrieved May 15, 2017.
  16. Inabinett, Mark (November 7, 2017). "Linebacker Ryan Anderson does double duty as fullback for Washington Redskins". AL.com. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
  17. Newton, David (December 1, 2019). "Panthers' Greg Olsen concussed; Ryan Anderson ejected". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
  18. Stackpole, Kyle (December 8, 2019). "Game Balls: Three Standout Players In The Redskins' Loss To The Packers". Redskins.com. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
  19. Selby, Zach (December 17, 2019). "From Rookie To Fullback To Starter, Ryan Anderson Has Come A Long Way In Three Years". Redskins.com. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
  20. Russell, Chris. "WFT Roster Moves: Washington calls up two, sends key defensive end to IR". SI.com. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
  21. Terranova, Justin (March 23, 2021). "Giants sign pass rusher Ryan Anderson as active NFL free agency continues". New York Post. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
  22. Eisen, Michael (March 25, 2021). "Giants sign former Washington OLB Ryan Anderson". Giants.com. Retrieved March 25, 2021.
  23. Schwartz, Paul (August 28, 2021). "NFL suspends Ryan Anderson, which could prolong his time on Giants roster". NYPost.com. Retrieved August 28, 2021.
  24. Eisen, Michael (September 1, 2021). "New York Giants announce 53-man roster". Giants.com. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
  25. Varley, Teresa (September 13, 2022). "Steelers add two to practice squad". Steelers.com.
  26. Varley, Teresa (October 8, 2022). "Steelers make multiple roster moves". Steelers.com.
  27. Varley, Teresa (November 8, 2022). "Steelers make multiple roster moves". Steelers.com. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
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