By his sophomore season, Anderson had become the leader of the Crimson Tide defense. Hes a lot stronger than his frame would suggest. I am also impressed with his ability to fight away an offensive linemans hands. 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. In the run game, his style is all about attacking and physically imposing his will on offensive linemen to be a dominant run defender. At 6-4, 245 pounds, linebacker Will . If he were 65 and 265 pounds, perhaps hed meet that threshold. Throughout the course of the week, teams will be allowed to interview players to help them make their choices easier when it comes time for the NFL draft in April. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. He consistently wraps up and has the strength to make solo tackles. With that frame, the Alabama EDGE has elite explosiveness, top-notch lateral agility, great artificial power capacity and play strength, and good bend. Will Anderson Jr. played for Alabama during his freshman season and dominated from the start. 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. And in 2021, he finished fifth in Heisman voting and took home the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, given to the nations best defensive player. With that being said, there are not many weaknesses to his game. 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. However, it should be noted that he won't be doing a lot of coverage as an off-ball linebacker because any team that drafts him would deploy him as a pass-rusher. Oklahoma's Lincoln Riley has churned out NFL quarterbacks, with Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray going No. Continuing with his pursuit, Anderson consistently pursues to the sideline and can get his hands up to deflect passes and clog the passing lane. Get our free mobile app But it's important to make no prospect untouchable. He is explosive as a looper on stunts, too. All rights reserved. But in 2022 season, his numbers were down quite a bit. Ever since his recruitment, he has been hyped up. Physical at the point of attack with plenty of strength to set the edge against offensive tackles versus outside zone. 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. Some naysayers point to the drop in production in 2022, to which we would say two things: 1) There was no way he could replicate the 2021 season. The Detroit Lions defense gets faster and more athletic with the top corner in the draft. I'm confident he could excel playing off the ball if called upon to do that at the next level. NFL Draft Scouting Reports: The Definitive Will Anderson Jr. Is there anything that Will Anderson Jr. cannot do? Will Anderson Jr. runs official 4.60-second 40-yard dash at 2023 combine Alabama Crimson Tide EDGE Will Anderson Jr. runs the 40-yard dash at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine. Always has a plan and is very decisive with his movements . Daniel Jeremiah reveals his initial scouting report. Here's a look at the Crimson Tide star. 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. With his flexibility, he lowers his pads very naturally and constantly seeks superior leverage and positioning. Will Anderson Jr. from Dutchtown High School was rated a 4-star recruit by ESPN and handed a 5-star grade by 247 Sports after making 22 sacks as a senior. Anderson brings good length at his size, with arms that will likely measure over 33. We'll. In fact, Andersons motor might be his best trait. In the ever-important 40-yard dash, Anderson ran an unofficial 4.69 in his first attempt, which was a solid time for a player of his size. In 2022, Anderson played in 13 games, amassing 51 tackles, 17 for loss, 10 sacks, one interception and one touchdown. Over the past few seasons, Anderson Jr. has been one of the nation's best pass rushers. Will Anderson has an imposing frame at 6-foot-4, 240lbs. Andersons agility allows him to work back inside and make a play on the QB in congested areas. This is the second entry in a series of scouting reports that will run throughout July. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. The former Alabama linebacker recorded a strong unofficial time of 4.69 seconds at 253 pounds. After high school, Anderson Jr. joined Alabama after being heavily recruited. Anderson isnt the largest edge rusher, but hes an exceptional athlete, and he also brings surprising play strength and power capacity for his frame. By the time his high school career ended, he had 39 offers. He is the number one overall prospect (on average) according to ESPNs top-four pundits. Might struggle to get extension versus NFL offensive tackles. mitataksemme sivustojemme ja sovellustemme kyttsi. As of today, nflmockdraftdatabase has Anderson as the 2nd best prospect in the nation. March 2, 2023, 9:25 PM. When forcing the QB up in the pocket, he does a good job of cutting back to the inside. Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. took home the Bronko Nagurski Trophy (presented each year to college football's top defensive player) as a true sophomore in 2021. Hopefully, whoever drafts him has the brains to stand him up as a 4-3 or 3-4 rusher and allow him to wreak havoc. Player Bio No prospect in the 2023 NFL Draft encapsulates the definition of hometown We break down the chances that Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson is the number one Vic Tafur of The Athletic does not believe the Las Vegas Raiders and new What is going on at the University of Georgia? Below is a comprehensive draft profile for Carter, including his scouting report, prospect ranking, pro comparison, college and high school accolades and overall NFL outlook. , Now we're talking, baby. Having said this, Anderson is still a phenomenal prospect who very well could have competed for the EDGE1 mantle in the 2022 NFL Draft. Everything you need to know about Alabama EDGE and 2023 NFL Draft prospect Will Anderson Jr. 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. . Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. is one of the top prospects, regardless of position, as the college football season comes to a close and we look ahead to the 2023 NFL Draft.. Below is a comprehensive draft profile for Anderson, including his high school and college accolades, scouting report and prospect outlook for one of the best players in college football. That was evident even in 2020 when Anderson logged seven sacks and 10 1/2 tackles for loss as a true freshman. A bit undersized at 6-foot-4, 243 pounds youd expect him to be at a disadvantage defending the run, but hes actually a very good run defender. 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. playerId: "67822575-a4f4-4fe4-9ca3-7a0abddbdd6f"
All Rights Reserved. But at 64, 243 pounds, he projects more as a stand-up edge rusher with relatively little inside-outside versatility. The 2023 NFL Combine will be held from Thursday, March 2 to Sunday, March 5. I was surprised to see how comfortable Anderson was in coverage when given the opportunity to drop back. And within that frame, he has high-end athletic traits. Check out the full scouting report. Where does Anderson win, where can he improve, and where might he be limited? . Bet $5+ on any sport pre-game ML, Get $150 If Your Bet Wins. 1 |Rating:94.40 (All-Pro). FULL LIST OF 2023 SCOUTING REPORTS Height: 6'4" Weight: 243 Lbs Position: Edge Rusher School: Alabama Year: Junior BACKGROUND Will Anderson is one of the top-ranked, elite prospects available for the 2023 NFL Draft. Against power, counter and split zone, doesnt get his eyes inside to see and get underneath pullers as the spill player in run fits. That's part of the reason why hes been considered the top player in this years draft class since last January. 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? Texas is starting to build some buzz and is loaded with offensive skill-position talent. Daniel Jeremiah provides his initial scouting report on the Crimson Tide quarterback after studying his game tape. Ultimate Scouting 128 subscribers Subscribe 1 No views 1 minute ago Thanks so much for checking out my Will Anderson. At times, he eats up too much space before engaging and cant manipulate angles or load up his hands. He had 57 solo tackles, 17.5 sacks, and 2 pass deflections. As far as even fronts go, Anderson can play with his hand in the dirt as a defensive end as well, so hes scheme-versatile and a plug-and-play type of player. His strong hands allow him to control reps, and he brings visible knock-back power at the point of attack. });
, 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. Scouting Notes. And, the good news for him is that Anderson isn't eligible for the 2022 NFL. 1 EDGE|Overall: No. Will Anderson out here moving better than all of the actual linebackers after the NFL put him in this group is objectively hilarious. According to 247sports, Anderson was the best prospect coming out of the state of Georgia in the 2020 recruiting class. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. 2023 NFL Draft Measurements. And he can flip his hips in tight spaces, making it easier to clog lanes in run defense. Will Anderson, Jr. Alabama edge rusher, ranked the No. Anderson Jr. Is not just elite athletically, but hes very good technically as he knows how to use his hands to win leverage battles. Add him to yourbig boardhere. He is the best pass rusher in the nation because he can effortlessly bend the edge and put pressure on the QB. Heres a comprehensive look at all those factors. Anderson has been hailed by many as the best prospect in this draft class, and he's someone who's a disruptive pass . Brown. After visiting only Georgia Tech and Alabama, he quickly decided that he wanted to play for Nick Saban. 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. In a similar vein, his hands can be somewhat lax on occasion. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. They can also track down the ball carrier and make a tackle. Scouting Report - Draft Dive | 2023 NFL Draft LB Spotlight Will Anderson Jr. His lack of elite athleticism simply does not warrant such a label. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. It wouldn't be too far-fetched to say Anderson is a more violent player too. Login. Andersons frame is lighter than average, and while he has good strength for his frame, he can sometimes be locked up in 1-on-1 situations. All Rights Reserved. @AlabamaFTBL. Will Anderson Jr. is not purely a pass-rusher, although that is what he does best. But on the field, Anderson is just as imposing. When rushing, Anderson has a violent disposition. And when you factor in his burst, agility, strength, and other qualities, that makes him more exciting. He has enough ankle flexion to pinch tight angles around blockers when stunting. Daniel Jeremiah scouts the Oregon star and provides an eye-opening player comp. Here, we see if he lives up to that reputation. It was an excellent final season with the Crimson Tide. With all that said, Anderson is a high-floor prospect. Additionally, his motor shows up on the chase as well. Biggest takeaway: I could make a 20-minute highlight tape of impressive defensive snaps from Anderson during the 2021 season. Will Anderson Jr.'s measurements/results from the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine will be added once they become available. Can the talented LSU cornerback live up to the hype? Recognizes and anticipates chip blocks well, which allows him to take them on and avoid getting caught off guard or put on the ground. Pete Golding has coached plenty of elite players at Alabama, but Will Anderson Jr. might be the best of the bunch. All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. 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. Sep 3, 2022 Alabama defender Will Anderson Jr. has a chance to go down as one of the top draft prospects in recent memory. Also works to get on an edge and has developed several inside countermoves off the bull rush. Where he needs to improve: There isn't much to mention here. Played 60+ snaps in 20 games in his career. After pushing my body to the limit, I need to fit in time to relax and recover. Can be lethal when slanting with his get-off and movement skills. Hes extremely active on the backside, and he can engulf runners with his brisk closing speed and wingspan. It also allows him to get past the tackle before they get to their set point. . 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). An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. SEC Football Way-Too-Early 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Alabama OLB Will Anderson Jr. Positives: The minute you turn on the tape to evaluate Will Anderson Jr. - the explosiveness off the line of scrimmage is disarming. When his. The agility of Will Anderson on full display in these positional drills.
Not only is he quick off the snap, but he's a smooth operator in space. Takes on blocks with low pad level and quick, accurate hands on the offensive linemans chest to gain leverage. Anderson was a standout performer for the Crimson Tide during his three seasons, establishing himself among the long line of great defensive linemen to play under legendary head coach Nick Saban. Anderson has long arms and he keeps opponents away from his chest. Excellent change of direction for a defensive lineman to test offensive linemens ability to redirect and consistently win with inside pass-rush moves. Scouting report "Anderson has little weakness. Entering his junior season, the hype surrounding Anderson is through the roof, as you might expect for such a highly decorated performer returning to one of CFB's powerhouse programs. You must be logged in to post a comment Here's how he fared from an advanced analytics perspective, with. But as a 2023 NFL Draft prospect, how does his scouting report stack up? More refinement with his hand usage, however, could help combat this. Curtis Leung is a UK-based writer covering the Arizona Cardinals and Baltimore Ravens for LWOS since 2022. Alabama EDGE Will Anderson Jr. returns in 2022 as one of the prevailing dominant forces in all of college football. Will Anderson Jr. After giving up a touchdown, you often see defensive players give marginal effort on extra-point tries. This page is intended to provide links to Ourlads' Draft . 2023 NFL Enterprises LLC. Anderson is far from a liability with his size. Watch the full on-field workout from Alabama Crimson Tide EDGE Will Anderson Jr. at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine. Will Anderson Jr. has been one of the most productive EDGE rushers in the nation since he arrived in Tuscaloosa. Anderson weighed in at 253 pounds, 10 more than his listed playing weight with the Crimson Tide: . Sign up to receive all the latest news and annoucements. The Chicago Bears currently hold the No. Copyright 2022 NFL Draft Diamonds. He can win on stunts with his physical traits or in 1-on-1 battles with various hand moves and combos. Looking at the details of Andersons skill set, there is an area for improvement for him as a pass rusher. 2021 statistics (15 games played): 102 tackles (58 solo), 34.5 for loss (17.5 sacks), three passes defensed. 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). : LSU (2022), Auburn (2022), Texas (2022), Tennessee (2022), Texas A&M (2022), Georgia CC (2021), Georgia NC (2021), Tradeable picks in the Mock Draft Machine. It also allows him to get past the tackle before they get to their set point. Both guys have very long arms. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. The 21-year-old has very good speed and power, has refined pass-rush moves, shows excellent hustle and is happy to run sideline-to-sideline. 2) After dominating collegiate athletes for two seasons, it is possible that Will Anderson Jr. got bored. Going further, Andersons hand usage is advanced for his age. Not only quick, but his reaction time to snaps is phenomenal. Ideal Role: Starting stand-up edge defender, TDN Consensus Grade: 92.50/100 (First-Round Value), Exposures: LSU (2022), Auburn (2022), Texas (2022), Tennessee (2022), Texas A&M (2022), Georgia CC (2021), Georgia NC (2021). Is he still the best player in the draft? It's the adjective that swamps his evaluation when asked about Montana State do-it-all prospect Troy Andersen. Smart as a pass rusher, has a very good understanding of how to leverage his quickness to his advantage. Has never given up on a play and will never give up on a play. Will Anderson Jr. with a 4.69u on his first run. That's just an added luxury. 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. Get in Touch. So, what's the book on the quarterback heading into the 2022 college football season? Had he been in the 2022 NFL Draft, he likely would have gone first overall. 1 WDE, 2022 Stats: 65 pressures 14 sacks 30 stops, 2021 Stats: 82 pressures 15 sacks 53 stops, Position Rank: ED1if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'nfldraftdiamonds_com-leader-2','ezslot_16',129,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-nfldraftdiamonds_com-leader-2-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'nfldraftdiamonds_com-leader-2','ezslot_17',129,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-nfldraftdiamonds_com-leader-2-0_1'); .leader-2-multi-129{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:250px;padding:0;text-align:center !important;}. But it was even more distinct in 2021 when Anderson ruled the trenches to the tune of 17 1/2 sacks and 31 tackles for loss. Special! Bet $5+ on any sport pre-game ML, Get $200 If Your Bet Wins, Be the first one to comment on this story. Anderson has great contact balance on running plays, very rarely losing his center of gravity even when taking on two blockers. 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. Anderson Jr. is also good at effectively running the arc. When his rush does not get home, he shows the awareness to peel off and get his hands in passing lanes. cnx({
Some notable players he was ranked above include Myles Murphy, Broderick Jones, Brian Branch, and Jahmyr Gibbs. Position: Edge If he were draft-eligible, he would have been the #1 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. This is due to his hands being very active during his rush which forces the lineman to consistently lose leverage. On pulling plays, Anderson attacks upfield to meet the offensive lineman and delivers a high-impact collision to disrupt the structure of the blocking scheme and it often results in a tackle for loss for Anderson or a teammate. During his first on-field drill, Anderson stumbled a bit early on and looked a bit slow. Scouting Report Following three highly successful years at Alabama, Will Anderson Jr. enters the 2023 NFL Draft aged 21. Can Spencer Rattler reach the heights of his OU predecessors? Please take a look and let us know what you think. NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. Will Anderson Jr. Anderson has elite production, to the level where him failing almost seems impossible. 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. 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. I can't wait to watch him play: at Texas on Sept. 10. Though he is considered to be an edge-rusher, Anderson participated in drills with the linebackers group rather than the defensive linemen. He checks every box. The Alabama EDGE lacks quantifiably elite strength and length and can struggle to deconstruct around the apex against larger tackles. On high-percentage passing downs, Alabama utilizes him on twists and stunts which makes it difficult for offensive lines to key in on him and potentially double-team him. After bursting onto the scene in Nick Saban's defense as a true freshman in 2020, Will Anderson Jr. cemented himself in the elite class of college football talents in 2021, showing the ability to dominate off the edge against top competition. Scouting report "Anderson has little weakness. In this 2023 NFL Draft scouting report, we'll breakdown what makes Will Anderson Jr such a coveted prospect. Will Anderson Jr. was one of the best defensive players in college football over the last decade. However, Andersons production and tape really speaks for itself. When his alignment is loose on the edge, he uses that runway to devastate offensive tackles with speed-to-power rushes. But its important to make no prospect untouchable. Will Anderson is a dominant defender in Alabama's 4-3 defense. I soak in Dr Teal's Epsom Salts to help speed up my recovery time & recharge my sore muscles all season. Following three highly successful years at Alabama, Will Anderson Jr. enters the 2023 NFL Draft aged 21. Will Anderson The QB Hunter: Bears 2023 Draft Scouting Report By Erik Lambert - Jan 16, 2023 5030 The Chicago Bears have a big decision ahead of them with the 2023 NFL draft. Anderson Jr. returned for a junior season that wasn't quite as dominant but impressive nonetheless. The only question is whether Will Anderson Jr. be the #1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Scouting Report- January 6 | 2023 NFL Draft By Ryan Broyles Modified 07 Jan 2023 Follow Us Share Is Will Anderson Jr. the top. Wasnt routinely locking out tackles in college, more just getting them off his frame with enough room to shed the block. But Andersons size is a notable hindrance in that pursuit. While Anderson led the nation with 17.5 sacks in 2021, he's probably an even better run defender. 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. Where does Anderson win, where can he improve, and where might he be limited? It's rare to find a player with his combination of talent and intangibles. They are devastating on the backside versus the run and they play with excellent effort. He also does not have a very powerful punch that forces the offensive lineman to drop the anchor. He was also the best weakside defensive end in the nation. This is really nitpicking. Teams With Need At Position: Chicago Bears, Houston Texans, Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, Cleveland Browns, Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Rams, Green Bay Packers, Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Will Anderson Jr. is a direct replica of Von Miller. 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. 1 Pick, The Case for C.J. DraftDive is a trusted source for draft information and predictions. Andersons hand usage as an edge rusher shows in his two-hand swipe, and he also prefers to use a long-arm to apply force to the offensive lineman and collapse them back into the quarterback.