Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. is one of the top prospects, regardless of position, as we look ahead to the 2023 NFL Draft. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. The Chicago Bears currently hold the No. Scouting report "Anderson has little weakness. For a complete report order Ourlads' Guide To The NFL Draft. As the looper, his change of direction and agility allow him to move laterally without losing ground, and he has the acceleration to win and close on the quarterback. The former Alabama linebacker recorded a strong unofficial time of 4.69 seconds at 253 pounds. He can then use his violent hands to disengage from the block and make a play on the QB. By the time his high school career ended, he had 39 offers. Note: This profile will be updated as more information becomes available. 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. EDGE, Alabama. He consistently seeks to replace hands and re-exert power when anchored and can accomplish this with his torque and explosion. 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. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. The Case for Anthony Richardson To Be the No. Scouting Notes. cnx.cmd.push(function() {
NFL Draft Scouting Reports: The Definitive Will Anderson Jr. That's part of the reason why hes been considered the top player in this years draft class since last January. Pro Football Network strives to passionately deliver purposeful, captivating, and exceptional football content. Potential Bears first-round pick Will Anderson Jr. appreciates the rare opportunity he has and expressed this to media members at the NFL Scouting Combine. Best part of Will Anderson's workout today was how fluid he looked dropping into coverage and redirecting. Anderson is a stud and we still believe in him. What I liked: I'm tempted to say everything. Please take a look and let us know what you think. In a similar vein, his hands can be somewhat lax on occasion. 13 G, 51 TOT, 17 TFL, 10 SK, 1 INT, 2 PD, A 5-star recruit in the 2020 class, No. 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. When he's aligned on the inside shoulder of the tackle, he wins with quickness to slip blocks and create havoc. Will Anderson Jr. rarely ever comes off the field. Height: 6'4. But on the field, Anderson is just as imposing. He can sustain acceleration while flexing his lower body and leaning into direction changes, making for dangerous closing speed in tight space. 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. Following three highly successful years at Alabama, Will Anderson Jr. enters the 2023 NFL Draft aged 21. Anderson is in a strong class of edge rushers, but he tops the list. If he goes to a DL who utilizes him well on stunts hell pick up a few sacks every year on them alone. Hes a lot stronger than his frame would suggest. The 2023 NFL Combine will be held from Thursday, March 2 to Sunday, March 5. Check out the full scouting report. Against power, counter and split zone, doesnt get his eyes inside to see and get underneath pullers as the spill player in run fits. 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. In his career for Alabama, Anderson has recorded 24.5 sacks in just 3 seasons. It also allows him to get past the tackle before they get to their set point. Statistically, Anderson matches Thibodeaux in just 20 games: 110 tackles, 29.5 for loss and 18 sacks. As we head toward the 2022 college football season, the Will Levis hype train is picking up steam. Although he is a polished pass rusher, he is also effective against the run. Recognizes and anticipates chip blocks well, which allows him to take them on and avoid getting caught off guard or put on the ground. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Will Anderson Jr., Edge, University of Alabama by Evan Bachman January 21, 2023 Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. is a blue chip prospect in the 2023 NFL draft. Anderson has long arms and he keeps opponents away from his chest. This often confuses offensive linemen and gives Anderson the competitive edge to shed the block and sack the QB. He is the number one overall prospect (on average) according to ESPNs top-four pundits. Both of these players are explosive off the snap and play with a very high motor. Manage Settings 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. Copyright 2019-2023. He routinely plays to the whistle with elite energy and effort. Will Anderson just performed his first 40-yard dash attempt at the NFL Scouting Combine. 1 Pick, The Case for C.J. I soak in Dr Teal's Epsom Salts to help speed up my recovery time & recharge my sore muscles all season. Pete Golding has coached plenty of elite players at Alabama, but Will Anderson Jr. might be the best of the bunch. He has a brutal forklift move and can also win with rips, swims, swipes, and cross-chops. With the NFL Scouting Combine ready to kickoff this week an. 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report - Will Anderson. 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. His lack of elite athleticism simply does not warrant such a label. Will Anderson Jr. with a 4.69u on his first run. Much like how he profiles as a run defender, Anderson also wins in the same ways as a pass rusher. Reminder to everyone that the 1.61 split is the important part for Will Anderson, not the 4.69 (which is still okay at 250+). Looking at the details of Andersons skill set, there is an area for improvement for him as a pass rusher. He can traverse entire gaps with immediacy, and he has the elite lateral agility to stunt gaps and sustain acceleration while testing angles. The Alabama EDGE is very light on his feet and can capitalize on linemen lunging with brisk bursts of lateral movement. And in 2021, he finished fifth in Heisman voting and took home the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, given to the nations best defensive player. Not only quick, but his reaction time to snaps is phenomenal. Here's a comprehensive look at all those factors. He can be more consistent stacking counters, as his rushes sometimes die after initial moves. Not only is Anderson explosive vertically, but hes also extremely explosive laterally. Alabama EDGE Will Anderson Jr. returns in 2022 as one of the prevailing dominant forces in all of college football. A talent with All-America honors on both sides of the football, he's a one-of-one in this year's draft class. It was one of the greatest seasons we have EVER seen. Teams will sometimes purposely leave him unblocked on runs to the other side, but he has the speed to track ball carriers down. When rushing, Anderson has a violent disposition. He can also take off toward the inside of the line to perform stunts and knock the interior offensive lineman off balance. Played 60+ snaps in 20 games in his career. A five-star prospect out of Dutchtown High School in Georgia, Anderson immediately became a force along Alabama's defensive line. Weight: 243 lbs. Helps him a lot in pursuit. With that frame, the Alabama EDGE has elite explosiveness, top-notch lateral agility, great artificial power capacity and play strength, and good bend. Puts himself in position to make plays consistently, but at times struggles tackling. Manage Settings 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? Will Anderson Scouting Report: The Next Great EDGE Rusher in the NFL??? Will Anderson Jr. played for Alabama during his freshman season and dominated from the start. Anderson, despite being the most talented player in college football, plays harder than anyone else on the field during what some would consider a meaningless snap. According to NFL Mock Draft Database, Anderson Jr. is a consensus top 5 pick. Anderson definitely deserved all that in 2021. He signed with the vaunted Alabama Crimson Tide and immediately factored into the starting equation. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Anderson could improve by becoming more diverse as a pass rusher and adding more speed and counters to his game. 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 that being said, there are not many weaknesses to his game. Will Anderson Jr. is most definitely a blue chip prospect. According to 247sports, Anderson was the best prospect coming out of the state of Georgia in the 2020 recruiting class. Here, we see if he lives up to that reputation. He has enough ankle flexion to pinch tight angles around blockers when stunting. This is a player that could become the bedrock of a defense for years to come. Versatility. 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;}. 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. It also allows him to get past the tackle before they get to their set point. It's almost comical what he does to tight ends and running backs when they draw the unfortunate assignment to block him. DraftDive is a trusted source for draft information and predictions. But it's important to make no prospect untouchable. Voit muokata valintojasi milloin tahansa napsauttamalla tietosuojan hallintapaneelin linkki sivustoissamme ja sovelluksissamme. The most unique element of Anderson as a defender is the called twist and stunts that Alabama utilizes, which allow Anderson to attack the interior gaps of an offensive line with momentum, overwhelming offensive linemen with power, speed, and physicality. With his talent and absurd production he projects very well to the NFL, so lets break down why that is the case.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'nfldraftdiamonds_com-banner-1','ezslot_0',107,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-nfldraftdiamonds_com-banner-1-0'); This scouting report is also available in a video format here. 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. Height, weight: 6-foot-4, 243 pounds (school measurements). 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. During his first on-field drill, Anderson stumbled a bit early on and looked a bit slow. Will Anderson Scouting Report. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. I saw him get sealed by down blocks when tightly aligned a few times. He is explosive as a looper on stunts, too. He is interested in the NFL, association football, NBA and field hockey but is keen to learn about other sports too. 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). Copyright 2022 NFL Draft Diamonds. Moreover, Anderson is an energetic, amped-up mover for his size, traversing congested areas with effervescent twitch. His 83.6 PFF grade tells the story. 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. Login. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. It tells you everything about the competitiveness of a player. He has a very quick first step which allows him to gain leverage immediately after the snap. Anderson Jr. is so explosive that he is regularly beating offensive linemen out of their stance - they never stand a chance! He just might be a little more effective as a stand-up outside 'backer. How will his scouting report evolve between now and April? Has no issues shedding blocks with his hand placement and strength, and has the agility to cross the face of the offensive lineman hes engaged with to make tackles in the adjacent gap. He is not a generational talent like Garrett or Nick Bosa were deemed to be. Has never given up on a play and will never give up on a play. Your login session has expired. Hes always battling in tight spaces, using rapid hands to fight through congestion. Big selling point to his game as he can play at a high level across a lot of snaps.