The 2023 NFL Draft will be a great event for teams to start building for their future. Here is the Will Anderson 2023 NFL Draft Profile.
Position: Edge Rusher
School: Alabama
Size: 6-foot-4, 243 pounds
Class: Junior
2022 Stats: 51 total tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, 1 interception, 1 touchdown
Anderson was one of the best players in all of college football over the last three seasons. He is now in the 2023 NFL Draft.
As a prospect, Anderson was rated five stars and signed with Alabama out of Georgia. He immediately saw playing time and finished the 2020 season with 52 total tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks. His play helped Alabama win the National Championship. In 2021, Anderson finished fifth in the Heisman voting with 101 tackles, 31 tackles for loss and 15 sacks. The Crimson Tide won 13 games, but fell in the National Championship Game to Georgia. The 2022 season saw Anderson total 51 tackles, 17 tackles for loss and 10 sacks. Alabama lost two games during the regular season, but won the Sugar Bowl.
After participating in the bowl game, Anderson declared for the 2023 NFL Draft. He is currently projected to be a top-five pick.
Anderson is a premier athlete as an edge rusher. He shows a good burst at the snap of the ball and accelerates upfield quickly. He moves well both in a straight line and laterally. On top of his ability to move, Anderson has solid flexibility, which helps him bend around opposing offensive linemen. He is one of the best athletes in this draft class.
His run defense is elite as well. Anderson can set the edge as a run defender. He knows his role and maintains gap integrity. His ability to shed blocks is impressive and he can total plenty of tackles for loss. Anderson shows good pursuit of ball carriers and can complete the play with a clean tackle.
He also has shown that he has had great sack production over his career. Anderson can win with his athleticism, quickness and bend. He also uses his hands well to free himself. Anderson can utilize a push-pull, rip, swim and many more pass-rush moves in order to disengage from blocks and get after the quarterback.
Anderson’s size and length will come into question. At 6-foot-4 and 243 pounds, he will need to add some play strength to his frame for the next level. That will help him be a more complete player and shed blocks better. Because he doesn’t have great size, his length will also come into question.
There were plenty of times when Anderson was undisciplined. He often was flagged for jumping offsides and it sometimes happens multiple times a game like when Alabama played Texas. At other times he picked up personal foul penalties. Playing more disciplined football will make his whole defensive unit better.
His pad level can get too high at times. When Anderson is getting out of his stance, there are times where he gets too upright. He needs to keep his pad level low so that he can retain his power, which is especially important given that he has below-average size for an NFL edge rusher.
Projected Draft Range: Top 5 Pick
Draft Grade: First-Round Pick
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