NFL Draft Profile: Mohamad Sanu
Sanu has an excellent combination of size, hands and physicality that could make him a very effective possession receiver, but a lack of speed hurts his potential. Sanu was extremely productive and versatile at Rutgers totaling over 2000 yards receiving and 600 yards rushing with 21 TDs, some return work and even went 8 for 18, 206 yards, 4 TDs, 0 INTs as a passer. Sanu has the potential to be a fantastic possession WR, but is limited beyond that.
Stats:
2009 (Freshman): 51 receptions, 639 yards, 3 TDs
2010 (Soph): 44 receptions, 418 yards, 2 TDs
2011 (Junior): 115 receptions, 1206 yards, 7 TDs
Combine:
6'2" 211lbs
40 Yard Dash: 4.67 seconds
Bench Press: 19 reps
Vertical Jump: 36 inches
Broad Jump: 10 feet, 6 inches
3 Cone Drill: 6.88 seconds
20 Yard Shuttle: 4.22 seconds
Health Check by Laura Calaway:
Sanu was characterized by CBS Sports as being "hampered by injuries" throughout the 2010 season. The relevant injury seems to have been a chronic ankle injury that demoted him from a "vital" to a "forgotton" part of Rutgers' offense. The injury contributed to his having only 45 catches for 419 yards, but he seems to have recovered in 2011, with 115 catches for 1206 yards.
Pros:
Sanu is very sure handed and experienced working in the short passing game. A converted safety, he likes to hit people, which shows in his run blocking. His size, strength and physicality make him very hard to jam at the line or knock off his route, a big factor in his success in the short receiving game. Knows how to move with the ball in his hands, though more to eat up some extra yards than break a play open.
Cons:
Sanu is not a deep threat, only 9 of his 210 career receptions gained over 25 yards. Sanu's route running needs some more polish as he came to Rutgers as a safety. Even if he's wildly successful at the NFL level, it won't involve being much of a big play threat.
Further Reading:
Sanu had three true freshman QBs throwing to him during his time at Rutgers. He still managed some solid numbers. He definitely has things to improve on, but his positives seem to outweigh the negatives.
Sanu would be a perfect guy to study from Reggie as they seem very similar in there skill set. I wouldn't mind it at all if they picked him up although we desperately need someone to stretch the field and I'm not sure we will draft two WR in this draft. Seems like a good fit though.
1 Like
I like the guy, he looks fast enough on tape, he seems to have excellent hands too, and runs hard, a good blocker, I think if he runs a 4.5 during his pro day he could still get mention in the late 1st early 2nd.
I think he really surprised people with just how slow he was. I don't think anyone expected a 4.3 40 or anything, but I think they expected it to be a lot closer to 4.5. There was some talk about him going even in the late first (which was ridiculous), but now I don't know how you don't draft someone like Junior Hemmingway above him (though Sanu is a pretty smooth athlete).
