Gap-disciplined, wont leave his assignment until the running back commits. Is he still the best player in the draft? Anderson is in a strong class of edge rushers, but he tops the list. He's coming off a 2022 campaign in which he won the Bednarik Award as well as the Lombardi Award. With that being said, hes shown flashes with the hand-swipe and arm-over moves mentioned above. Scouting Notes. Will Anderson Jr. NFL Draft 2023: Scouting Report for Alabama Edge | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors | Bleacher Report Home > College Football > Alabama Crimson Tide Football. 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. Will Anderson Scouting Report. Will Anderson Jr. with a 4.69u on his first run. His physicality and body lean also remind me of a more polished Kayvon Thibodeaux.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'draftdive_com-leader-2','ezslot_12',118,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-draftdive_com-leader-2-0'); Will Anderson Jr. The Detroit Lions defense gets faster and more athletic with the top corner in the draft. Hes able to use his finesse and lateral suddenness to scrape by moving blocks. 6. Against power, counter and split zone, doesnt get his eyes inside to see and get underneath pullers as the spill player in run fits. Will Anderson Jr. rarely ever comes off the field. Can the talented LSU cornerback live up to the hype? Get our free mobile app . With that being said, there are not many weaknesses to his game. 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. This allows offensive linemen to prepare themselves for power. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. 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. Having said this, Anderson is still a phenomenal prospect who very well could have competed for the EDGE1 mantle in the 2022 NFL Draft. From his movement skills to how effortlessly he took on blocks, it almost looked like he was getting bored out there. nyttksemme sinulle kohdennettuja mainoksia ja sislt kiinnostusprofiileiden perusteella, mitataksemme kohdennettujen mainosten ja sisltjen tehokkuutta. Will Anderson Jr. scouting report Anderson has elite production, to the level where him failing almost seems impossible. 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. 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. Daniel Jeremiah provides his initial scouting report, supplying a striking NFL comparison in the process. They are devastating on the backside versus the run and they play with excellent effort. For a complete report order Ourlads' Guide To The NFL Draft. Teams know what they will be getting with Anderson: a high-effort, tried-and-tested pass rusher. Manage Settings 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. I love it when we get to see big non-conference matchups. Continue with Recommended Cookies, Will Anderson Jr. . Solid 40 time for him but was admittedly expecting a little higher. Not a big knock as hes simply more of a speed rusher as opposed to a power rusher. In 1-on-1 situations, he can set up tackles with rushing angles, then capitalize on displacement and multitask around the apex. Anderson Jr. is a tier above even Aidan Hutchinson and Kayvon Thibodeaux from last year's batch. 1 overall pass-rusher. Login. I'm confident he could excel playing off the ball if called upon to do that at the next level. 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. is not purely a pass-rusher, although that is what he does best. Height, weight: 6-foot-4, 243 pounds (school measurements). Additionally, his motor shows up on the chase as well. Statistically, Anderson matches Thibodeaux in just 20 games: 110 tackles, 29.5 for loss and 18 sacks. 1 overall player in the 2023 NFL Draft. Heres a comprehensive look at all those factors. 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). He had 57 solo tackles, 17.5 sacks, and 2 pass deflections. 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. Scouting report "Anderson has little weakness. In what should be no surprise to anyone, Anderson Jr. had a plethora of Division I offers while at Dutchtown. Widely known as one of the best players in college football. Good get-off, quick to react to the snap with good acceleration while taking short, powerful steps to maintain his base. cnx.cmd.push(function() {
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. 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. Will Levis 40-Yard Dash: 4.65 (estimate) . Anderson has long arms and he keeps opponents away from his chest. It's clear that any team that lands Anderson will be getting a generational talent, and he further cemented his status as a top prospect in this year's draft class with his performance Thursday. 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;}. With his flexibility, he lowers his pads very naturally and constantly seeks superior leverage and positioning. Check out Will Anderson Jr.'s full 247Sports profile,here. But in 2022 season, his numbers were down quite a bit. Mock Draft Machine Beta Testing Has Begun! If he were draft-eligible, he would have been the #1 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. 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. He ranks in the top three in most major categories in program history. Anderson Jr. returned for a junior season that wasn't quite as dominant but impressive nonetheless. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'draftdive_com-banner-1','ezslot_4',113,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-draftdive_com-banner-1-0'); Anderson Jr. is a former 5-star recruit out of Dutchtown High School in Hampton, Georgia. Anderson has great acceleration to get past offensive linemen and close to the quarterback. Anderson Jr. is so explosive that he is regularly beating offensive linemen out of their stance - they never stand a chance! Here's a comprehensive look at all those factors. It also stops them from getting their hands in the right position to neutralize Anderson Jr. In 2021, as a sophomore, he led the nation in sacks (17.5) and tackles for loss (34.5) in winning the Bronko Nagurski Trophy. He's the best Alabama defender in the Nick Saban era and possibly the best Alabama defender in school history not named Derrick Thomas. That's part of the reason why hes been considered the top player in this years draft class since last January. The 2023 NFL Combine will be held from Thursday, March 2 to Sunday, March 5. When his. The only question is whether Will Anderson Jr. be the #1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Biggest takeaway: I could make a 20-minute highlight tape of impressive defensive snaps from Anderson during the 2021 season. He can be more consistent stacking counters, as his rushes sometimes die after initial moves. 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. Some notable players he was ranked above include Myles Murphy, Broderick Jones, Brian Branch, and Jahmyr Gibbs. And in 2021, he finished fifth in Heisman voting and took home the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, given to the nations best defensive player. He can sustain acceleration while flexing his lower body and leaning into direction changes, making for dangerous closing speed in tight space. He has a very quick first step which allows him to gain leverage immediately after the snap. You would be hard pressed to find any ranking that lists Anderson below third. 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. 2023 NFL Draft scouting report: Alabama EDGE Will Anderson Jr. Ryan Moran Jan 10, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Will Anderson Jr. (31) defends against Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Stetson Bennett (13) in the 2022 CFP college football national championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. According to a police report, LeCroy's vehicle was traveling at 104 mph when the crash occurred around 2:30 a.m. near downtown Athens, and a toxicology report indicated the driver had a blood . An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Height: 6-4 17 overall prospect in the 2020 class, Anderson received 39 offers coming out of high school. In the run game, his style is all about attacking and physically imposing his will on offensive linemen to be a dominant run defender. Position: Edge I am also impressed with his ability to fight away an offensive linemans hands. Will Anderson Jr. has been one of the most productive EDGE rushers in the nation since he arrived in Tuscaloosa. Effective on stunts as both the penetrator or looper. The 2021 NFL Draft brought another bushel of hyped wide receivers, but the group lacked one thing: size. 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. Height: 6'4. 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. Looked very comfortable from the stand up position as a 3-4 OLB. Pro Football Focus: DT Jalen. Prolific looping around the middle on stunts due to his speed/burst. Against the run, he easily stacks single blocks and sets the edge. NFL Draft Scouting Reports: The Definitive Will Anderson Jr. 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! After high school, Anderson Jr. joined Alabama after being heavily recruited. And within that frame, he has high-end athletic traits. But its important to make no prospect untouchable. In his impressive 2021 season, Anderson secured 101 tackles, 31 for loss and a whopping 17.5 sacks in 15 games. Also works to get on an edge and has developed several inside countermoves off the bull rush. Anderson could improve by adding spin counters, hesitation moves, and cross-chops to cross the face of offensive linemen. Big selling point to his game as he can play at a high level across a lot of snaps. He is an athletic, explosive disruptor who has exceedingly rare talents. 2021: 873 snaps in 15 games- tied for first amongst EDs in FBS. Moreover, the Alabama EDGE shows minor stiffness when changing directions in space at times. High School: Dutchtown HS (Hampton, GA)if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'nfldraftdiamonds_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_11',113,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-nfldraftdiamonds_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); Recruit (247): 2020 class- No. With all that said, Anderson is a high-floor prospect. DraftDive is a trusted source for draft information and predictions. In the last two seasons for the. Copyright 2019-2023. This page is intended to provide links to Ourlads' Draft . We have seen what type of impact they can have at the NFL level. That last drill was the one I felt Will Anderson Jr's power through the television--rushing the curve to his right. Anderson is very explosive in short ranges. 2023 NFL Draft: Will Anderson Jr. Will Anderson Scouting Report: The Next Great EDGE Rusher in the NFL??? Hes extremely active on the backside, and he can engulf runners with his brisk closing speed and wingspan. 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. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. And when defending the ground game, Anderson has the strength to set the edge, the burst to surge into lanes, and the effort and range to be a constant tackling threat. Additionally, we'll look at a 40 time, injury history, full scouting report breakdown, and a future projection for Will Anderson Jr. Be sure to follow NFL Draft Lounge for more scouting report coverage, as well as more on Will Anderson Jr. He consistently wraps up and has the strength to make solo tackles. His high character is merely another bonus to his exceptional portfolio. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. Anderson burst onto the scene in 2020. If he were 65 and 265 pounds, perhaps hed meet that threshold. Stroud after his sensational first season as the Buckeyes' starter. 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. Andersons agility allows him to work back inside and make a play on the QB in congested areas. When in the phone booth, he needs to work on his ability to shed blocks by using his strength. The atmosphere will be electric and I'm expecting Anderson to more than meet the moment. They understand how to set up blockers and finish. (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=67822575-a4f4-4fe4-9ca3-7a0abddbdd6f&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; cnx.cmd.push(function() { cnx({ playerId: "67822575-a4f4-4fe4-9ca3-7a0abddbdd6f" }).render("3041736b0f044fda91b1005ee0ab4330"); }); if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'nfldraftdiamonds_com-box-1','ezslot_4',139,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-nfldraftdiamonds_com-box-1-0');report this ad,