Texas A&M linebacker Aaron Hansford was a four-star recruit coming out of high school and played in the Under-Armour All-American game. He was highly regarded entering the Aggie program, however injuries slowed his development. He suffered a season-ending injury in his freshman year, resulting in a medical redshirt. In 2018 he missed the entire year due to injury as well. In 2019 he made the move from wide receiver to linebacker and has played in every game since.
Sixth-round pick Devin Harper had a phenomenal showing at the NFL combine, posting a 9.51 RAS score, which is likely one of the reasons he got drafted over Hansford. However, based on the film alone, did the Cowboys get better value in their undrafted free agent Hansford? Let’s dive into the film and find out.
Measurables and Stats
Listed Height: 6-foot-2
Listed Weight: 239 pounds
Jersey Number: 1
Stats (2021): 45 solo tackles, 89 total tackles
Impact Plays (2021): 8.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 4 pass deflections, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 touchdown
Film Study Information:
Games Watched: South Carolina (2020), Kent State (2021), Alabama (2021)
Best Game: Kent State (2021)
Worst Game: Alabama (2021)
Physical Skills Evaluation:
Range: Accelerates out of his stance quickly and is able to cover a decent amount of ground through that. Displays moments of adequately showing off good range.
Processing Speed: Steps toward the quarterback and the line of scrimmage with his first step. Can be slow to recognize the play as it develops.
Tackling: Sound tackler, if he gets hands on you, he is likely wrapping you up and bringing you to the ground.
Toughness/Power @ POA: Doesn’t posses a lot of power and can often get rendered ineffective. There is no visible pop in his pads when he attacks an offensive lineman.
Versatility: Coverage ability and range lead him to be on the field for third-down scenarios. He fills run lanes nicely but he lacks power at the POA so he can be a liability on early downs.
Performance Evaluation:
Coverage Ability: Doesn’t anticipate the routes breaking point at a high level, and can be left grasping at air when a receiver breaks off their route. Reads the QBs eyes at an effective level and can jump throwing lanes.
Motor/Effort: Wouldn’t classify him as having a hot motor, but he isn’t lazy either. Shows the ability to be willing to chase down ball carriers.
Block Shedding: Good at leveraging himself to optimize his ability to get past the blocker, but lacks a refined plan or a wide array of moves to effectively disengage from blocks.
Blitzing/Pass Rush: Closes space in a hurry and effective at shooting gaps. Doesn’t have a wide arsenal of moves he uses to rush the passer, relies on the timing of his blitzes mostly.
Run Defense: Adapt at moving laterally and meeting ball carriers at their target when carrying the football. Good at stepping up and filling run lanes.
Strengths:
Shows adequate display of range and navigates traffic around the box well. Generally a sure tackler and fills run lanes well. Adapt at reading the QBs eyes when in zone coverage and jumping throwing lanes. Capable of being on the field for all three downs, but will need development to be reliable in the first two downs.
Weaknesses:
Doesn’t play with any visible power and it hurts his ability to disengage from blocks. He also lacks and refined pass rush moves when rushing the passer and relies on timing rather than attacking with a refined plan. Doesn’t anticipate routes breaking points at a high level.
Fit with the Cowboys:
Hansford will be fighting for a roster spot, but he might beat out Harper. He possesses good range and is a sure tackler.
Dallas has their starters lined up at the position with Micah Parsons, Leighton Vander Esch and Jabril Cox. Their primary backup is penciled in to be Luke Gifford, who has primarily been a special teams player. Beyond that, spots are available. Damone Clark will redshirt, but Harper, Hansford and fellow UDFA Storey Jackson will compete with Devante Bond for spots five and possibly six or seven.
Hansford is serviceable in zone coverage, but needs development in man coverage and anticipating routes breaking points. He navigates traffic around the box at a high level and is generally a sure tackler. He needs to develop better play strength and develop pass rushing moves in order to find a full time role. All in all, he might be better used on the practice squad as he develops all the assets to be a full time player.
Prospect Grade:
| Range (15) | 9 | Block Shedding(10) | 4 |
| Processing Speed (10) | 6 | Blitzing/Pass Rush(10) | 4 |
| Coverage Ability (10) | 6.5 | Run Defense(10) | 7.2 |
| Motor/Efford (5) | 4 | Toughness/Power @ POA (10) | 4 |
| Tackling (5) | 7 | Versatility (10) | 7.5 |
Final Grade:
59.2, 7th round player
