PFF 2026 NFL Draft Guide: Aaron Anderson NFL projection, advanced stats & scouting report

LSU Tigers

Height: 5’8″
Weight: 188 pounds
Position: WR
Big Board Rank: 186

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WR Aaron Anderson, LSU Tigers

• Height: 5’8″
• Weight: 188 pounds
• 
  Big Board Rank: 186
  

Scouting report

Anderson is a small but explosive slot-only receiver with strong separation ability and yards-after-the-catch potential. While his size may limit his appeal, he profiles as a solid Day 3 option who can contribute in a rotational role.

Player Traits

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Player Traits

• Route running: 7/10
• Vertical ability, long speed: 8/10
• Release, footwork: 7/10
• Hands: 5/10
• Change-of-direction acceleration: 8/10
• Change-of-direction flexibility: 8/10
• Run after the catch/contact: 7/10
• Play strength, blocking: 3/10
• Competitive toughness: 7/10

2025 Advanced Data (Ranks among 432 FBS qualifiers)

Target rate by situation (2025)

Separation by coverage look (All routes of 5-plus yards, 2025)

Production vs. Coverage Looks (2025)

ManZone

BracketCover-0Cover-1Cover-2Cover-3Cover-3 CloudCover-3 Double CloudCover-3 SeamCover-6QuartersRed ZoneCover 2-Man
×ManTargets: 12Receptions: 9Yards: 101PFF receiving grade72.6Targets12Receptions9Receiving yards101Yards per reception11.2Receiving touchdowns0First downs6Drops1Contested targets4Contested catches3Yards after catch33YAC per reception3.7Avg depth of target9.3Yards per route run3.06Explosive plays2Missed tackles forced1WR rating99.7ZoneTargets: 34Receptions: 23Yards: 283PFF receiving grade70.8Targets34Receptions23Receiving yards283Yards per reception12.3Receiving touchdowns0First downs14Drops2Contested targets3Contested catches1Yards after catch184YAC per reception8.0Avg depth of target6.2Yards per route run2.28Explosive plays7Missed tackles forced5WR rating93.1BracketTargets: 2Receptions: 1Yards: 14PFF receiving grade71.7Targets2Receptions1Receiving yards14Yards per reception14.0Receiving touchdowns0First downs1Drops0Contested targets0Contested catches0Yards after catch8YAC per reception8.0Avg depth of target5.0Yards per route run4.67Explosive plays0Missed tackles forced0WR rating72.9Cover-0Targets: 0Receptions: 0Yards: 0PFF receiving grade56.6Targets0Receptions0Receiving yards0Yards per reception0.0Receiving touchdowns0First downs0Drops0Contested targets0Contested catches0Yards after catch0YAC per reception0.0Avg depth of target0.0Yards per route run0.00Explosive plays0Missed tackles forced0WR rating0.0Cover-1Targets: 11Receptions: 9Yards: 101PFF receiving grade79.0Targets11Receptions9Receiving yards101Yards per reception11.2Receiving touchdowns0First downs6Drops0Contested targets4Contested catches3Yards after catch33YAC per reception3.7Avg depth of target8.1Yards per route run3.61Explosive plays2Missed tackles forced1WR rating104.9Cover-2Targets: 4Receptions: 4Yards: 39PFF receiving grade70.9Targets4Receptions4Receiving yards39Yards per reception9.8Receiving touchdowns0First downs2Drops0Contested targets1Contested catches1Yards after catch15YAC per reception3.8Avg depth of target6.0Yards per route run2.05Explosive plays1Missed tackles forced1WR rating107.3Cover-3Targets: 8Receptions: 6Yards: 73PFF receiving grade70.3Targets8Receptions6Receiving yards73Yards per reception12.2Receiving touchdowns0First downs5Drops0Contested targets0Contested catches0Yards after catch20YAC per reception3.3Avg depth of target10.8Yards per route run1.92Explosive plays1Missed tackles forced1WR rating102.6Cover-3 CloudTargets: 5Receptions: 4Yards: 63PFF receiving grade71.9Targets5Receptions4Receiving yards63Yards per reception15.8Receiving touchdowns0First downs3Drops0Contested targets0Contested catches0Yards after catch63YAC per reception15.8Avg depth of target2.8Yards per route run4.85Explosive plays2Missed tackles forced2WR rating118.8Cover-3 Double CloudTargets: 1Receptions: 1Yards: -2PFF receiving grade60.9Targets1Receptions1Receiving yards-2Yards per reception-2.0Receiving touchdowns0First downs0Drops0Contested targets0Contested catches0Yards after catch0YAC per reception0.0Avg depth of target-2.0Yards per route run-2.00Explosive plays0Missed tackles forced0WR rating79.2Cover-3 SeamTargets: 2Receptions: 1Yards: 22PFF receiving grade71.0Targets2Receptions1Receiving yards22Yards per reception22.0Receiving touchdowns0First downs1Drops0Contested targets1Contested catches0Yards after catch7YAC per reception7.0Avg depth of target11.0Yards per route run7.33Explosive plays1Missed tackles forced0WR rating89.6Cover-6Targets: 8Receptions: 3Yards: 22PFF receiving grade50.2Targets8Receptions3Receiving yards22Yards per reception7.3Receiving touchdowns0First downs1Drops2Contested targets0Contested catches0Yards after catch27YAC per reception9.0Avg depth of target2.4Yards per route run1.29Explosive plays0Missed tackles forced1WR rating45.8QuartersTargets: 6Receptions: 4Yards: 66PFF receiving grade64.0Targets6Receptions4Receiving yards66Yards per reception16.5Receiving touchdowns0First downs2Drops0Contested targets1Contested catches0Yards after catch52YAC per reception13.0Avg depth of target8.2Yards per route run2.00Explosive plays2Missed tackles forced0WR rating103.5Red ZoneTargets: 1Receptions: 0Yards: 0PFF receiving grade44.6Targets1Receptions0Receiving yards0Yards per reception0.0Receiving touchdowns0First downs0Drops1Contested targets0Contested catches0Yards after catch0YAC per reception0.0Avg depth of target8.0Yards per route run0.00Explosive plays0Missed tackles forced0WR rating39.6Cover 2-ManTargets: 1Receptions: 0Yards: 0PFF receiving grade44.4Targets1Receptions0Receiving yards0Yards per reception0.0Receiving touchdowns0First downs0Drops1Contested targets0Contested catches0Yards after catch0YAC per reception0.0Avg depth of target22.0Yards per route run0.00Explosive plays0Missed tackles forced0WR rating39.6

Receiving snaps by alignment (2025)

Target Depth Chart (2025)

86.9

77.6

–

58.5

86.1

62.8

–

89.5

68.4

60.7

75.4

–

90+80+70+60+50+<50N/A
×Outside Left — 20+ yardsTargets: 1Receptions: 1Yards: 21PFF receiving grade86.9Targets1Receptions1Receiving yards21Yards per reception21.0Touchdowns0Interceptions0First downs1Drops0Drop rate0.0%Fumbles0Contested targets1Contested receptions1Contested catch rate100.0%Yards after catch0YAC per reception0.0Catch rate100.0%Avg depth of target21.0Avoided tackles0QB rating when targeted118.8Yards per route run10.50Longest reception21Between Numbers — 20+ yardsTargets: 3Receptions: 2Yards: 48PFF receiving grade77.6Targets3Receptions2Receiving yards48Yards per reception24.0Touchdowns0Interceptions0First downs2Drops1Drop rate33.3%Fumbles0Contested targets1Contested receptions1Contested catch rate100.0%Yards after catch4YAC per reception2.0Catch rate66.7%Avg depth of target22.0Avoided tackles0QB rating when targeted109.7Yards per route run4.80Longest reception25Outside Right — 20+ yardsTargets: 0Receptions: 0Yards: 0Targets0Receptions0Receiving yards0Touchdowns0Interceptions0First downs0Drops0Fumbles0Contested targets0Contested receptions0Yards after catch0Avoided tackles0QB rating when targeted0.0Yards per route run0.00Longest reception0Outside Left — 10-19 yardsTargets: 2Receptions: 0Yards: 0PFF receiving grade58.5Targets2Receptions0Receiving yards0Touchdowns0Interceptions0First downs0Drops0Fumbles0Contested targets0Contested receptions0Yards after catch0Catch rate0.0%Avg depth of target14.0Avoided tackles0QB rating when targeted39.6Yards per route run0.00Longest reception0Between Numbers — 10-19 yardsTargets: 8Receptions: 4Yards: 68PFF receiving grade86.1Targets8Receptions4Receiving yards68Yards per reception17.0Touchdowns0Interceptions0First downs4Drops0Drop rate0.0%Fumbles0Contested targets1Contested receptions0Contested catch rate0.0%Yards after catch17YAC per reception4.3Catch rate50.0%Avg depth of target13.4Avoided tackles0QB rating when targeted79.2Yards per route run3.24Longest reception23Outside Right — 10-19 yardsTargets: 3Receptions: 1Yards: 22PFF receiving grade62.8Targets3Receptions1Receiving yards22Yards per reception22.0Touchdowns0Interceptions0First downs1Drops0Drop rate0.0%Fumbles0Contested targets1Contested receptions0Contested catch rate0.0%Yards after catch7YAC per reception7.0Catch rate33.3%Avg depth of target16.7Avoided tackles0QB rating when targeted60.4Yards per route run2.44Longest reception22Outside Left — 0-9 yardsTargets: 0Receptions: 0Yards: 0Targets0Receptions0Receiving yards0Touchdowns0Interceptions0First downs0Drops0Fumbles0Contested targets0Contested receptions0Yards after catch0Avoided tackles0QB rating when targeted0.0Yards per route run0.00Longest reception0Between Numbers — 0-9 yardsTargets: 16Receptions: 12Yards: 129PFF receiving grade89.5Targets16Receptions12Receiving yards129Yards per reception10.8Touchdowns0Interceptions0First downs8Drops1Drop rate7.7%Fumbles0Contested targets3Contested receptions2Contested catch rate66.7%Yards after catch79YAC per reception6.6Catch rate75.0%Avg depth of target4.3Avoided tackles3QB rating when targeted98.2Yards per route run3.69Longest reception31Outside Right — 0-9 yardsTargets: 4Receptions: 2Yards: 25PFF receiving grade68.4Targets4Receptions2Receiving yards25Yards per reception12.5Touchdowns0Interceptions0First downs2Drops1Drop rate33.3%Fumbles0Contested targets0Contested receptions0Yards after catch7YAC per reception3.5Catch rate50.0%Avg depth of target7.5Avoided tackles0QB rating when targeted69.8Yards per route run2.27Longest reception16Outside Left — Behind LOSTargets: 1Receptions: 1Yards: 7PFF receiving grade60.7Targets1Receptions1Receiving yards7Yards per reception7.0Touchdowns0Interceptions0First downs0Drops0Drop rate0.0%Fumbles0Contested targets0Contested receptions0Yards after catch9YAC per reception9.0Catch rate100.0%Avg depth of target-2.0Avoided tackles0QB rating when targeted95.8Yards per route run3.50Longest reception7Between Numbers — Behind LOSTargets: 11Receptions: 10Yards: 78PFF receiving grade75.4Targets11Receptions10Receiving yards78Yards per reception7.8Touchdowns0Interceptions0First downs3Drops1Drop rate9.1%Fumbles0Contested targets0Contested receptions0Yards after catch102YAC per reception10.2Catch rate90.9%Avg depth of target-2.5Avoided tackles3QB rating when targeted96.2Yards per route run3.12Longest reception39Outside Right — Behind LOSTargets: 0Receptions: 0Yards: 0Targets0Receptions0Receiving yards0Touchdowns0Interceptions0First downs0Drops0Fumbles0Contested targets0Contested receptions0Yards after catch0Avoided tackles0QB rating when targeted0.0Yards per route run0.00Longest reception0

Box score data (2023-25)

PFF Grades (2023-25)

Production vs. man and zone coverage (2023-25)

Red-zone performance (2023-25)

Production profile (2023-25)

Performance in contested situations (2023-25)

Stable metrics (2023-25)

Route Tree (2023-25)

GoScreenFlatSlantCrossOutInComebackHitchCornerPostWRBall

×ScreenPFF receiving grade76.3Targets28Receptions27Receiving yards186Touchdowns0WR rating94.3×FlatPFF receiving grade65.2Targets10Receptions7Receiving yards37Touchdowns0WR rating75.8×SlantPFF receiving grade93.0Targets11Receptions9Receiving yards172Touchdowns1WR rating149.1×CrossPFF receiving grade83.1Targets22Receptions15Receiving yards283Touchdowns0WR rating111.0×OutPFF receiving grade74.5Targets13Receptions9Receiving yards114Touchdowns1WR rating122.0×InPFF receiving grade51.3Targets5Receptions1Receiving yards14Touchdowns0WR rating39.6×HitchPFF receiving grade60.7Targets16Receptions10Receiving yards107Touchdowns0WR rating56.0×CornerPFF receiving grade58.5Targets5Receptions1Receiving yards21Touchdowns0WR rating44.6×GoPFF receiving grade53.7Targets6Receptions1Receiving yards46Touchdowns0WR rating59.0×Seam RoutePFF receiving grade90.8Targets11Receptions8Receiving yards206Touchdowns3WR rating154.4×Post-Corner RoutePFF receiving grade86.2Targets1Receptions1Receiving yards20Touchdowns0WR rating118.8×Whip Route (Breaking Out)PFF receiving grade74.2Targets3Receptions3Receiving yards39Touchdowns0WR rating118.8×JetPFF receiving grade67.5Targets6Receptions6Receiving yards25Touchdowns0WR rating84.0×ShovelPFF receiving grade61.3Targets2Receptions2Receiving yards8Touchdowns0WR rating83.3×GhostPFF receiving grade60.8Targets1Receptions1Receiving yards-3Touchdowns0WR rating79.2×Slot WheelPFF receiving grade54.4Targets4Receptions1Receiving yards16Touchdowns0WR rating4.2×Scramble AdjustmentPFF receiving grade53.8Targets9Receptions3Receiving yards36Touchdowns0WR rating6.9×Backfield FlarePFF receiving grade53.0Targets1Receptions1Receiving yards4Touchdowns0WR rating83.3

ScreenFlatSlantCrossOutInHitchCornerGoSeam RoutePost-Corner RouteWhip Route (Breaking Out)JetShovelGhostSlot WheelScramble AdjustmentBackfield Flare

×ScreenTargets: 28Receptions: 27Yards: 186PFF receiving grade76.3Targets28Receptions27Receiving yards186Yards per reception6.9Receiving touchdowns0First downs6Drops1Contested targets0Contested catches0Yards after catch268YAC per reception9.9Avg depth of target-3.0Yards per route run3.88Explosive plays1Missed tackles forced10WR rating94.3FlatTargets: 10Receptions: 7Yards: 37PFF receiving grade65.2Targets10Receptions7Receiving yards37Yards per reception5.3Receiving touchdowns0First downs3Drops1Contested targets0Contested catches0Yards after catch39YAC per reception5.6Avg depth of target-0.1Yards per route run1.76Explosive plays0Missed tackles forced3WR rating75.8SlantTargets: 11Receptions: 9Yards: 172PFF receiving grade93.0Targets11Receptions9Receiving yards172Yards per reception19.1Receiving touchdowns1First downs8Drops0Contested targets3Contested catches2Yards after catch110YAC per reception12.2Avg depth of target6.6Yards per route run11.47Explosive plays3Missed tackles forced5WR rating149.1CrossTargets: 22Receptions: 15Yards: 283PFF receiving grade83.1Targets22Receptions15Receiving yards283Yards per reception18.9Receiving touchdowns0First downs11Drops1Contested targets5Contested catches2Yards after catch106YAC per reception7.1Avg depth of target13.6Yards per route run4.96Explosive plays8Missed tackles forced2WR rating111.0OutTargets: 13Receptions: 9Yards: 114PFF receiving grade74.5Targets13Receptions9Receiving yards114Yards per reception12.7Receiving touchdowns1First downs8Drops0Contested targets1Contested catches1Yards after catch31YAC per reception3.4Avg depth of target10.3Yards per route run2.48Explosive plays2Missed tackles forced0WR rating122.0InTargets: 5Receptions: 1Yards: 14PFF receiving grade51.3Targets5Receptions1Receiving yards14Yards per reception14.0Receiving touchdowns0First downs1Drops1Contested targets1Contested catches0Yards after catch1YAC per reception1.0Avg depth of target12.4Yards per route run0.47Explosive plays0Missed tackles forced0WR rating39.6HitchTargets: 16Receptions: 10Yards: 107PFF receiving grade60.7Targets16Receptions10Receiving yards107Yards per reception10.7Receiving touchdowns0First downs6Drops1Contested targets4Contested catches2Yards after catch40YAC per reception4.0Avg depth of target6.9Yards per route run1.10Explosive plays1Missed tackles forced6WR rating56.0CornerTargets: 5Receptions: 1Yards: 21PFF receiving grade58.5Targets5Receptions1Receiving yards21Yards per reception21.0Receiving touchdowns0First downs1Drops0Contested targets1Contested catches0Yards after catch2YAC per reception2.0Avg depth of target18.0Yards per route run2.63Explosive plays1Missed tackles forced0WR rating44.6GoTargets: 6Receptions: 1Yards: 46PFF receiving grade53.7Targets6Receptions1Receiving yards46Yards per reception46.0Receiving touchdowns0First downs1Drops1Contested targets3Contested catches0Yards after catch10YAC per reception10.0Avg depth of target30.0Yards per route run1.53Explosive plays1Missed tackles forced0WR rating59.0Seam RouteTargets: 11Receptions: 8Yards: 206PFF receiving grade90.8Targets11Receptions8Receiving yards206Yards per reception25.8Receiving touchdowns3First downs7Drops1Contested targets2Contested catches2Yards after catch35YAC per reception4.4Avg depth of target20.2Yards per route run10.30Explosive plays8Missed tackles forced0WR rating154.4Post-Corner RouteTargets: 1Receptions: 1Yards: 20PFF receiving grade86.2Targets1Receptions1Receiving yards20Yards per reception20.0Receiving touchdowns0First downs1Drops0Contested targets0Contested catches0Yards after catch0YAC per reception0.0Avg depth of target20.0Yards per route run20.00Explosive plays1Missed tackles forced0WR rating118.8Whip Route (Breaking Out)Targets: 3Receptions: 3Yards: 39PFF receiving grade74.2Targets3Receptions3Receiving yards39Yards per reception13.0Receiving touchdowns0First downs3Drops0Contested targets0Contested catches0Yards after catch31YAC per reception10.3Avg depth of target2.7Yards per route run3.00Explosive plays1Missed tackles forced1WR rating118.8JetTargets: 6Receptions: 6Yards: 25PFF receiving grade67.5Targets6Receptions6Receiving yards25Yards per reception4.2Receiving touchdowns0First downs0Drops0Contested targets0Contested catches0Yards after catch48YAC per reception8.0Avg depth of target-3.8Yards per route run3.57Explosive plays0Missed tackles forced1WR rating84.0ShovelTargets: 2Receptions: 2Yards: 8PFF receiving grade61.3Targets2Receptions2Receiving yards8Yards per reception4.0Receiving touchdowns0First downs1Drops0Contested targets0Contested catches0Yards after catch16YAC per reception8.0Avg depth of target-4.0Yards per route run4.00Explosive plays0Missed tackles forced0WR rating83.3GhostTargets: 1Receptions: 1Yards: -3PFF receiving grade60.8Targets1Receptions1Receiving yards-3Yards per reception-3.0Receiving touchdowns0First downs0Drops0Contested targets0Contested catches0Yards after catch1YAC per reception1.0Avg depth of target-4.0Yards per route run-3.00Explosive plays0Missed tackles forced0WR rating79.2Slot WheelTargets: 4Receptions: 1Yards: 16PFF receiving grade54.4Targets4Receptions1Receiving yards16Yards per reception16.0Receiving touchdowns0First downs2Drops1Contested targets1Contested catches0Yards after catch7YAC per reception7.0Avg depth of target16.5Yards per route run1.23Explosive plays1Missed tackles forced0WR rating4.2Scramble AdjustmentTargets: 9Receptions: 3Yards: 36PFF receiving grade53.8Targets9Receptions3Receiving yards36Yards per reception12.0Receiving touchdowns0First downs2Drops2Contested targets1Contested catches0Yards after catch1YAC per reception0.3Avg depth of target16.3Yards per route run1.06Explosive plays2Missed tackles forced0WR rating6.9Backfield FlareTargets: 1Receptions: 1Yards: 4PFF receiving grade53.0Targets1Receptions1Receiving yards4Yards per reception4.0Receiving touchdowns0First downs0Drops0Contested targets0Contested catches0Yards after catch11YAC per reception11.0Avg depth of target-7.0Yards per route run0.17Explosive plays0Missed tackles forced1WR rating83.3

Player Comp: Malik Washington