Alabama Crimson Tide edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. is widely regarded as the top prospect eligible for the 2023 NFL Draft. His history of production as a pass rusher is well documented; he trails only Hall-of-Famer Derrick Thomas on Alabama's all-time sack list.
Here is our 2023 NFL Draft breakdown of Anderson ahead of April's draft weekend.
Will Anderson Jr. Scouting Report
Height: 6040(E) Weight: 243(E) Speed: 4.57(E)
Production:
As of post time, Will Anderson had 51 tackles, 10 sacks, 1 interception, and 17 tackles for loss in 2022. In 2021, Anderson totaled 101 tackles, 17.5 sacks, and 31 tackles for loss. Anderson's final stat line will be updated after the 2022 season.
Accolades (from Anderson's team profile page):
2022: Nagurksi Trophy finalist for a second straight year ... also tabbed as a finalist for the Lombardi Award and the Lott IMPACT Trophy ... selected as a semifinalist for the Walter Camp Player of the Year ... named a semifinalist for the Bednarik Award, presented annually to the nation's top defensive player ... selected as a midseason All-American by CBS Sports, The Sporting News and the Associated Press ... tabbed to the watch lists for the Nagurski along with the Bednarik, Lombardi and Lott ... also earned watch list recognition for the Maxwell and Walter Camp, both of which recognize the top player in college football at any position ... a preseason first team All-America candidate by the AP, Pro Football Focus, TSN and Walter Camp
2021: Selected as the Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner, presented annually to the nation's top defensive player ... unanimous first-team All-American (AFCA, Associated Press, FWAA, The Sporting News, Walter Camp) ... also earned first-team honors from CBS Sports, ESPN.com, Pro Football Focus and USA Today ... named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year by both the AP and the conference coaches ... also earned All-SEC First Team honors from both groups.
High School/Recruiting:
Anderson was a four-star recruit from Dutchtown High School in Georgia. He was born in Hampton, Georgia. Anderson had 40 scholarship offers out of high school, ultimately choosing Alabama over almost every major program in the country.
Evaluation:
Will Anderson Jr. is an exciting edge rusher whose traits profile similarly to some of the NFL's elite players at the position. He possesses a big-enough frame to project well as a hand-in-the-dirt defensive end, and his top-shelf movement skills profile favorably as a stand-up OLB in a 3-4. Anderson is scheme diverse. Anderson has enough arm length to keep opposing tackles at bay, and his muscular body composition confirms the strength he displays on tape.
Anderson's most exciting trait is his athletic ability. His first step out of his stance is above average, and his closing speed is elite. He can change directions like a player who's 30 pounds lighter. Once his sights are set on a ball carrier, whether the quarterback or a running back, it's game over.
Few players have the kind of internal navigation system that Anderson possesses as a pass rusher; he's always pursuing the quarterback and creates some pocket disruption on nearly every snap. Anderson's elite closing speed forces opposing passers to panic and make bad decisions even when he doesn't finish the sack. His pass-rush arsenal is adequate, although he's gotten away with pure athletic dominance so far in his career. He's flashed good hand play and a capable swim move, but more refinement will help him reach his incredible ceiling.
Anderson's athleticism helps him as a run defender, too. No play is out of his range. He can run down scrambling quarterbacks or running backs on plays designed away from him. He has more than enough core and lower-body strength to anchor against power plays running at him, too. The only thing stopping Anderson from being an all-around force is himself; his motor can run cold at times, which could be a concern in some NFL draft rooms.
Overall, Anderson is a surefire first-round prospect who should be selected among the first 10 players in any draft class. He reminds me of a bigger version of Micah Parsons, who's taken the NFL by storm since being selected 12th overall in the 2021 NFL draft. While I don't think Anderson will have quite as big of an impact as Parsons, he won't be far off. Anderson is a plug-and-play upgrade to any team's pass rush right away as a rookie in 2023.
Grade*: 1st round
How Will Anderson fits with the Chicago Bears:
Anderson would fill the most pressing need on the Bears' roster entering the 2023 offseason. Chicago's lack of an impact pass-rusher makes him a logical priority at the top of the first round, where the Bears currently hold a top-five pick. Anderson is a fine fit in Matt Eberflus' 4-3 system, assuming he weighs in at or above his estimated weight of 243-ish pounds. He'd qualify as a no-brainer for GM Ryan Poles in Round 1.
If Chicago's draft slot holds steady, Anderson will be a popular pick for the Bears in most mock drafts.
*final grade issued after NFL scouting combine and pro day