But in 2022 season, his numbers were down quite a bit. He's the best Alabama defender in the Nick Saban era and possibly the best Alabama defender in school history not named Derrick Thomas. After giving up a touchdown, you often see defensive players give marginal effort on extra-point tries. He combines explosiveness, power, violent hands, and a hot motor to constantly make his presence felt by quarterbacks. From there, he shows off his incredible body lean to close out and apply pressure on the QB. As a five-star recruit and the No. Will Anderson Jr. with a 4.69u on his first run. According to NFL Mock Draft Database, Anderson Jr. is a consensus top 5 pick. He decided to commit to the Crimson Tide . Will Anderson Jr. is a direct replica of Von Miller. Will Anderson has an imposing frame at 6-foot-4, 240lbs. Wasnt routinely locking out tackles in college, more just getting them off his frame with enough room to shed the block. Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. is one of the top prospects, regardless of position, as we look ahead to the 2023 NFL Draft. He is easily amongst the best players in this class as he projects to develop into an elite edge rusher in the NFL. Will Anderson Jr. is the premier pass-rusher we have yearned for in recent years. 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. He consistently wraps up and has the strength to make solo tackles. Here's how he fared from an advanced analytics perspective, with. 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report - Will Anderson. Oklahoma's Lincoln Riley has churned out NFL quarterbacks, with Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray going No. Scouting Report 0 Alabama Crimson Tide Linebacker USFL Draft 2023 Standouts Chase Brown Scouting Report Evan Hull Scouting Report: Is he the next Christian McCaffrey? Anderson has great contact balance on running plays, very rarely losing his center of gravity even when taking on two blockers. Jos et halua meidn ja kumppaneidemme kyttvn evsteit ja henkiltietoja nihin listarkoituksiin, napsauta Hylk kaikki. });
, if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'nfldraftdiamonds_com-large-billboard-2','ezslot_34',138,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-nfldraftdiamonds_com-large-billboard-2-0');report this ad. It's the adjective that swamps his evaluation when asked about Montana State do-it-all prospect Troy Andersen. It's rare to find a player with his combination of talent and intangibles. He has a very quick first step which allows him to gain leverage immediately after the snap. Finally, Anderson is a very reliable tackler in the pursuit phase. Recognizes and anticipates chip blocks well, which allows him to take them on and avoid getting caught off guard or put on the ground. 1 Pick. Will Anderson Jr. scouting report Anderson has elite production, to the level where him failing almost seems impossible. Height: 6'4. Anderson is extremely proficient at recollecting his feet after impact and maintaining balance amidst adversity. As of today, nflmockdraftdatabase has Anderson as the 2nd best prospect in the nation. According to ESPN, as a true freshman, he had 33 solo tackles, 7 sacks, and a forced fumble. Not a big knock as hes simply more of a speed rusher as opposed to a power rusher. As prospects prepare to see what their future holds, they will go through the Combine and Pro Days to impress NFL scouts, coaches and execs. Gap-disciplined, wont leave his assignment until the running back commits. Heres a comprehensive look at all those factors. Good get-off, quick to react to the snap with good acceleration while taking short, powerful steps to maintain his base. Scouting report A five-star from outside Atlanta, Will Anderson Jr. has been as good as -- and maybe better than -- advertised since arriving in Tuscaloosa. Will Anderson Jr. played for Alabama during his freshman season and dominated from the start. He decided not to do a second attempt, telling NFL Network that he was satisfied with his time. He can sustain acceleration while flexing his lower body and leaning into direction changes, making for dangerous closing speed in tight space. But, evidently, potentially not being generational fails to amount to any real criticism of Anderson: he is essentially as flawless a draft prospect as they come at a valuable position. Even if he lacks elite size, Anderson is a potential blue-chip prospect and an early frontrunner to be a top-five pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Hed fit best as a stand-up outside linebacker in a scheme that uses a lot of odd fronts and occasionally has edge-rushers drop into coverage. If he were draft-eligible, he would have been the #1 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. While Anderson may go on to be one of the best EDGE prospects over the past few cycles, he falls a bit short of the generational label. When he is put in a position to take a traditional pass-rush track on the outside edge of the tackle, he has an explosive first step and his functional strength shows when he can convert speed to power to get to the quarterback. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'draftdive_com-leader-1','ezslot_5',115,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-draftdive_com-leader-1-0'); As I briefly mentioned earlier, Anderson Jr. has an elite first step off the snap. Miller, an eight-time Pro Bowl selectee, bends a little better than Anderson but I'd give the Bama edge rusher the nod when it comes to pure power. 2021 statistics (15 games played): 102 tackles (58 solo), 34.5 for loss (17.5 sacks), three passes defensed. He has a strong lower body to hold his ground in the run game and great speed around the edge to apply pressure on the quarterback. Over the past few seasons, Anderson Jr. has been one of the nation's best pass rushers. On edge-contain plays, he shows to have great technique and functional strengthhe can properly set the edge and keep leverage by keeping his outside hand free to make a play. I strongly encourage everyone to watch that video as it allows you to visualize everything I discuss in this scouting report. Detroit Lions (from Los Angeles Rams): Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. Pro Football Network strives to passionately deliver purposeful, captivating, and exceptional football content. He took over the starting JACK linebacker position from Day 1 of the 2020 season and. Daniel Jeremiah scouts the Flames' star and sees shades of three different NFL signal-callers in his game, including the Eagles' Jalen Hurts. Versatility. But it's important to make no prospect untouchable. He has a brutal forklift move and can also win with rips, swims, swipes, and cross-chops. This year's draft clearly goes through Chicago, and in this mock, the Indianapolis Colts fresh off their hiring of coach Shane Steichen make a blockbuster trade with the Bears to land their future franchise quarterback. Birthdate: 9/2/2001if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'nfldraftdiamonds_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_9',144,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-nfldraftdiamonds_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'nfldraftdiamonds_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_10',144,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-nfldraftdiamonds_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0_1'); .large-mobile-banner-2-multi-144{border:none !important;display:block !important;float:none !important;line-height:0px;margin-bottom:7px !important;margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-top:7px !important;max-width:100% !important;min-height:50px;padding:0;text-align:center !important;}. Height, weight: 6-foot-4, 243 pounds (school measurements). He needs to do a better job of getting his eyes inside when unblocked to see pullers coming and shore up his tackling form, but those are two very fixable flaws. I have been seeing a lot of analysts an sites start to drop anderson a bit in rankings and on mock drafts. He was also named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year twice (2021, 2022), is a two-time unanimous All-American, two-time First-Team All-SEC and was named to the Second-Team All-SEC his freshman year. Will Anderson Jr. in Mock Drafts. He is able to record this many sacks because of his high motor and agility through traffic. During his time at Alabama, Anderson was utilized in multiple defensive lineman alignments, lining up as an edge player, 3-tech, and 4-tech, which put him in positions to attack the weak spots of a defense and disrupt plays with physicality. High school:Dutchtown (Hampton, Georgia)Class:2020Composite Rating: (0.9913), High school accolades:"Super 11" team and first-team All-State (Atlanta Journal-Constitution), All-American Bowl selection. Had he been in the 2022 NFL Draft, he likely would have gone first overall. Scouting report "Anderson has little weakness. In a 2-point stance, he shows amazing initial quickness to run the arc and beat the opposing lineman. Will Anderson Jr. C.J. Continue with Recommended Cookies. NFL+ gives you the freedom to watch LIVE out-of-market preseason games, LIVE local and primetime regular season and postseason games on your phone or tablet, the best NFL programming on-demand, and MORE! NFL Draft Scouting Reports: The Definitive Will Anderson Jr. Puts himself in position to make plays consistently, but at times struggles tackling. It's the job of a scout to not get caught up in the excitement and go to the film for a true evaluation of a player. Anderson has been hailed by many as the best prospect in this draft class, and he's someone who's a disruptive pass . After being this productive for one of the best college football programs, it is safe to say he is an elite talent. It also stops them from getting their hands in the right position to neutralize Anderson Jr. In 2021, Will was an absolute wrecking ball with 101 tackles and 17.5 sacks. Kun kytt sivustojamme ja sovelluksiamme, kytmme, tarjotaksemme sivustomme ja sovelluksemme sinulle, todentaaksemme kyttjt, estksemme roskapostia ja vrinkytksi sek toteuttaaksemme tietoturvatoimia. Although he is a polished pass rusher, he is also effective against the run. In the last two seasons for the Crimson Tide, he had 98 hurries and 29 sacks, and those numbers underscore how dominant he was, at times. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. Played 600+ snaps in 2022, 2021, and 2020 seasons. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. The Tide star led the FBS in tackles for loss (34.5; second-most in a single season in UA history) and sacks (17.5; third-most in UA history). It was one of the greatest seasons we have EVER seen. Your login session has expired. I asked a source at Alabama about his character and he told me, "That's the best thing about him." Former Alabama edge-rusher Will Anderson Jr. is considered one of the top talents in the 2023 NFL draft class, and he put his skills on display Thursday at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. Likes to lunge and leave his feet to make tackles, leading to a high rate of missed tackles. So, what's the book on the quarterback heading into the 2022 college football season? His best season came in 2021 -- when he led the nation with 34.5 tackles for loss and 17.5 sacks en route to finishing fifth in Heisman Trophy voting -- but he was dominant throughout his time in Tuscaloosa. Surprisingly strong for his size. The 2023 NFL Combine will be held from Thursday, March 2 to Sunday, March 5. Widely known as one of the best players in college football. Excellent change of direction for a defensive lineman to test offensive linemens ability to redirect and consistently win with inside pass-rush moves. EDGE, Alabama. They are devastating on the backside versus the run and they play with excellent effort. Good on him. 2023 NFL Enterprises LLC. More refinement with his hand usage, however, could help combat this. A ridiculous athlete for the position, Will Anderson Jr. will be a handful. Position: No. At 64, 243 pounds, Anderson isnt the hulking physical specimen that prospects like Myles Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney proved to be. When lined up in a 3-point stance, he does a very good job of exploding forward and being the first one to engage in contact. Hes a lot stronger than his frame would suggest. Manage Settings Check out Will Anderson Jr.'s full 247Sports profile,here. Anderson could improve by becoming more diverse as a pass rusher and adding more speed and counters to his game. There is room for him to expand his pass rush arsenal, but all . Is he still the best player in the draft? 1 overall pass-rusher. It also allows him to get past the tackle before they get to their set point. Has never given up on a play and will never give up on a play. He is good at clogging lanes at the line, not allowing the running back to gain positive yardage. Daniel Jeremiah provides his initial scouting report, supplying a striking NFL comparison in the process. March 2, 2023, 9:25 PM. #DrTeals #ad 0:16 13.2K views 17 38 This will present a wider area for offensive linemen to have to block and present better angles for Anderson to get to the quarterback. As it stands, Anderson is considered one of the best prospects in this years class. All Rights Reserved. Both guys have very long arms. He is not a generational talent like Garrett or Nick Bosa were deemed to be. The only reason why I dont think he will be the first defender taken is because of his lack of size leading to a lack of scheme versatility. He held his own when Alabama asked him to do the latter, which suggests he can be asked to zone-drop in the NFL as a change of pace. We don't want to get ahead of ourselves, but there aren't many weaknesses in Will Anderson's game. In 1-on-1 situations, he can set up tackles with rushing angles, then capitalize on displacement and multitask around the apex. And within that frame, he has high-end athletic traits. Overall, Anderson has proven to be a dominant edge player that plays with the passion and intensity wanted from a high draft pick and the character franchises want for a face-of-the-franchise player. Going further, Andersons hand usage is advanced for his age. He's a two-time unanimous All-American, two-time SEC Defensive Player of the Year and two-time Nagurski Trophy winner, given to the nation's best defender. Game tape watched: at Mississippi State (Oct. 16, 2021), vs. Georgia (SEC Championship Game; Dec. 4, 2021), vs. Cincinnati (College Football Playoff semifinal; Dec. 31, 2021), vs. Georgia (CFP National Championship; Jan. 10, 2022). Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. 1 Pick, The Case for C.J. During his first on-field drill, Anderson stumbled a bit early on and looked a bit slow. That's the player you'll get when you draft Will Anderson Jr. Anderson's official time was later revealed to be 4.60. 1 Pick, The Case for Will Levis To Be the No. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Anderson recovered nicely with an impressive showing in his next drill to close out the day strong: Fancy footwork from , Will Anderson completely owned the pass rush drills. Will Anderson Jr.'s measurements/results from the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine will be added once they become available. He is currently the second overall prospect on Mel Kiper Jr.s big board and the third overall prospect on PFFs. Not only quick, but his reaction time to snaps is phenomenal. Will Anderson is likely the best player in this draft class and the tape confirms that. Copyright 2019-2023. During his career at Alabama, Anderson has been named a two-time All-American, a two-time Nagurski Award winner, and a Bednarik Award winner. Former Alabama edge-rusher Will Anderson Jr. is considered one of the top talents in the 2023 NFL draft class, and he put his skills on display Thursday at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis . For his MaxPreps profile,click here. Pro Football Focus: DT Jalen. Alabama ran him on a ton of stunts up front, with him exploding around the corner, attacking the opposition's QB. Big selling point to his game as he can play at a high level across a lot of snaps. Also uses his hands well to get clean wins that lead to sacks. The NFL Scouting Combine kicked off yesterday with the defensive lineman and linebackers kicking Anthony Richardson the gunslinger from Florida is one of the most interesting prospects in Bryce Youngs biggest knock is his height and weight. And, the good news for him is that Anderson isn't eligible for the 2022 NFL. 6-keys: media/spln/nfl/draft/free/stories, at Georgia just had five defensive players taken in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, but is the best NFL prospect of all still in Athens? As we head toward the 2022 college football season, the Will Levis hype train is picking up steam. Against power, counter and split zone, doesnt get his eyes inside to see and get underneath pullers as the spill player in run fits. Relentless as a pass rusher and in run game. Statistically, Anderson matches Thibodeaux in just 20 games: 110 tackles, 29.5 for loss and 18 sacks. Powerful for his size as a bull-rusher to put offensive tackles on skates. He checks every box. Seven-round NFL mock draft, Round 1: Building a win-now team from active players for 2022 season, Baker Mayfield, first pick of 2018 NFL Draft, traded: Ranking the top five classes from that year. Anderson Jr. is also good at effectively running the arc. Scouting Report Following three highly successful years at Alabama, Will Anderson Jr. enters the 2023 NFL Draft aged 21. Below is a comprehensive draft profile for Anderson, including his scouting report, prospect ranking, pro comparison, combine results, college and high school accolades and overall NFL outlook.