It seems like we were batting around this very scenario about a week ago. I had a kind of enforced vacation from here for a month or so and in that time I've spent some time going over this draft. Sanderson was pretty much top 10 through the first half of the year and then it seems like his game had a big surge--even his offense really picked up. He is one of three and the only defenseman to get rated a 9 on skating by the NHL draft black book--the other two were Stutzle and Foudy. 'Safe, reliable, eats minutes, great interview, no mistakes, offense is improved, fantastic skater, etc.' is how the main guy at the black book describes him.
To me even if he doesn't put up a lot of offense--we have D that can do that anyway. One of our main problems is really cleaning up our own zone--stopping the running around and the lost coverages. I get the Miller to Seth Jones comparison but Miller switching to D from forward at 14/15 years old is part of the issue with him still needing to catch up on some things. His size and skating and ability to recover quickly are real assets though--still I think we're going to see little reminders of Brady Skjei's mercurial defending now and again from Miller that are not going to be an issue with someone like Sanderson.
From Ottawa's point of view---you're looking at getting one of Stutzle or Byfield with a very good chance that Sanderson will be there at 5 and if not your Alfie reincarnation of Lucas Raymond. Byfield's big, a center and a great skater and he's one of the youngest players in the draft. Stutzle is also fantastic and another elite skater. So if I'm the Ottawa GM I'm pretty comfortable sitting where I'm sitting. Lafreniere would be a big score but if I'm asking I'm trying to keep Brady Tkachuk and the #5 OA out of it. I'm thinking the #3, the #22 and something else like a young player or a second rounder or two (of which they have four).