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Henry Anderson Ranked #3 on NFL’s Top 25 Breakout Prospects List

By Luke Schultheis

Jul 27, 2016; Anderson, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts defensive lineman Henry Anderson during training camp at Anderson University. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kryger/Indianapolis Star via USA TODAY Sports
Jul 27, 2016; Anderson, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts defensive lineman Henry Anderson during training camp at Anderson University. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kryger/Indianapolis Star via USA TODAY Sports /
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According to Football Outsiders Rivers McCown via ESPN Insider (subscription), Indianapolis Colts defensive end Henry Anderson is #3 on the NFL’s Top 25 breakout prospects for the upcoming season:

"3. Henry Anderson, DE, Indianapolis Colts450 defensive snaps, third-round pick (2015), age 25Anderson only qualifies for this list because he tore his ACL in the middle of the season. A strong run-stopping 5-technique, Anderson surprised the NFL with how much heat he was able to put on opposing QBs. He picked up 10 pressures in our charting despite playing on the interior in Indy’s 3-4. His rehab from injury aside, this is as nice a player as you can hope to find in the third round. The explosion off the line is rare for an interior player."

Of course, it confirms what Colts fans already knew, that Anderson is a beast when fully healthy.

Last year’s 3rd round pick out of Stanford started the first 9 games of last season before suffering a season-ending torn ACL. During that span, Anderson recorded 31 tackles and a sack.

Aug 29, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; Indianapolis Colts defensive end Henry Anderson (96) tackles St. Louis Rams running back Isaiah Pead (24) during the second half at the Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 29, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; Indianapolis Colts defensive end Henry Anderson (96) tackles St. Louis Rams running back Isaiah Pead (24) during the second half at the Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

However, those basic stats don’t paint the entire picture, as Anderson was among the league’s top run-stuffing defensive lineman. Specifically, per Pro Football Focus (subscription), his +10.2 run-stopping grade was the 14th best among all of the NFL’s 3-4 defensive ends.

Before his season was ended prematurely, Anderson was in the Defensive Rookie of the Year Watch, as he was arguably the Colts best defensive lineman.

As such, Anderson figures to give the Colts a huge boost upon his return; however, he’s still currently rehabilitating his knee and is a strong candidate to begin the regular season on PUP.

The Colts will likely be overly cautious with Anderson’s rehabilitation, as he could be a defensive cornerstone for the franchise for years to come.

It’s worth noting that one of Anderson’s Colts teammates, 2nd-year safety Clayton Geathers, was given “honorable mention” on the NFL’s Top 25 breakout prospect list as well.

Geathers is currently recovering from his own injury with a broken bone in his foot, but figures to be the starting safety alongside veteran Mike Adams if healthy. He stood out in limited action last season with his hard-hitting, physical style.

Thus, it looks as though the Colts could receive significant dividends from last year’s draft class defensively–that is, if they’re both fully healthy.

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