There is too much to love and he hardly shows any faults. 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! When his. I asked a source at Alabama about his character and he told me, "That's the best thing about him." Anderson is very explosive in short ranges. This is the. Anderson was a top recruit coming out of high school, but he has had a hard time taking on a large role for the Bulldogs, who have been loaded at the position and utlizing a steady rotation. Smart as a pass rusher, has a very good understanding of how to leverage his quickness to his advantage. At 6-4, 245 pounds, linebacker Will . Anderson Jr. is just as likely to overwhelm an offensive lineman with a vicious straight arm while exploding off the edge. The Alabama EDGE has a strong and compact frame with good length. He also does not have a very powerful punch that forces the offensive lineman to drop the anchor. Will Anderson Jr. is one of the most hyped players in the 2023 NFL draft class. Versatility. After visiting only Georgia Tech and Alabama, he quickly decided that he wanted to play for Nick Saban. Will Liberty's Malik Willis be the next dual-threat quarterback to make scouts salivate? All Rights Reserved. Against the run, he easily stacks single blocks and sets the edge. OLB | JR | Alabama. While Anderson may go on to be one of the best EDGE prospects over the past few cycles, he falls a bit short of the generational label. 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. 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. Takes on blocks with low pad level and quick, accurate hands on the offensive linemans chest to gain leverage. NFL and the NFL shield design are registered trademarks of the National Football League.The team names, logos and uniform designs are registered trademarks of the teams indicated. He signed with the vaunted Alabama Crimson Tide and immediately factored into the starting equation. Between Anderson and Jalen Carter, draft evaluators have a split between who is 1a and who is 1b. You must be logged in to post a comment Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. is one of the top prospects, regardless of position, as we look ahead to the 2023 NFL Draft. Anderson has been hailed by many as the best prospect in this draft class, and he's someone who's a disruptive pass . However, I was most blown away by his performance on extra-point attempts. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. At times, he eats up too much space before engaging and cant manipulate angles or load up his hands. He is able to record this many sacks because of his high motor and agility through traffic. A quarterback, turned running back, turned fullback, turned linebacker, the Dillon, Montana native checks . He is an athletic, explosive disruptor who has exceedingly rare talents. Youve now completed your Big Board, but if you want to save it youll need to become a TDN Premium member. And he can flip his hips in tight spaces, making it easier to clog lanes in run defense. Height: 6-4 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. It tells you everything about the competitiveness of a player. His hips sometimes lock up at the apex, and with his high-cut frame, he doesnt have elite bend or sinking capacity. There is big-time buzz about Ohio State's C.J. The 21 year old put together one of the most astonishing seasons we have ever seen from a defender during his sophomore year. 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. Raiders are still the odds favorite to land Packers QB Aaron Rodgers, Nine Georgia Bulldogs football players have been arrested in the past 14 months, Five Biggest Losers from Day 1 of the NFL Scouting Combine, Five Biggest Winners from Day 1 of the NFL Scouting Combine, Florida Quarterback Anthony Richardson is absolutely crushing interviews at the NFL Scouting Combine, Bryce Young says he cannot control his size, but he can control his play. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Doesn't have a go-to outside move that he consistently wins with, and lacks top-tier bend to turn a tight corner at the top of outside rushes. NFL Draft Scouting Reports: The Definitive Will Anderson Jr. 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. 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. 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. Where does Anderson win, where can he improve, and where might he be limited? His versatility makes him a prospect any team would want. He reminds me of: Von Miller. 5 Free Agent Team Fits For Pro Bowl Wide Receiver, Baltimore Ravens Backup Quarterback Options for 2023. By his sophomore season, Anderson had become the leader of the Crimson Tide defense. One analyst Daniel Kelly even called him lazy. 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. 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 finished his career with 34.5 sacks and 62 tackles for loss, trailing only Derrick Thomas in school history. Against power, counter and split zone, doesnt get his eyes inside to see and get underneath pullers as the spill player in run fits. Powerful for his size as a bull-rusher to put offensive tackles on skates. It wouldn't be too far-fetched to say Anderson is a more violent player too. Anderson is an awesome physical talent, but the other elements of his game are almost more impressive. Will Anderson Scouting Report: The Next Great EDGE Rusher in the NFL??? With that being said, hes shown flashes with the hand-swipe and arm-over moves mentioned above. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Although he is good at bending the edge and making a play on the QB from the outside of the line, he is also proficient at performing stunts and twists. In his collegiate career, the Hampton, Georgia, native racked up 204 tackles, 58.5 tackles for loss and 34.5 sacks, as well as an eye-popping 206 quarterback pressures. He has enough ankle flexion to pinch tight angles around blockers when stunting. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. Going further, Andersons hand usage is advanced for his age. Derek Stingley Jr. heads into the 2021 season as one of the most hyped prospects in college football. They understand how to set up blockers and finish. But in 2022 season, his numbers were down quite a bit. He is explosive as a looper on stunts, too. This is the second entry in a series of scouting reports that will run throughout July. DraftDive is a trusted source for draft information and predictions. 13 G, 51 TOT, 17 TFL, 10 SK, 1 INT, 2 PD, A 5-star recruit in the 2020 class, No. Either they will take something #1 overall or trade the pick. Effort rusher who will get coverage sacks. He is not a generational talent like Garrett or Nick Bosa were deemed to be. Not only quick, but his reaction time to snaps is phenomenal. Will Anderson Jr. Best player in college football and still decides to compete today (when he could of sat and done nothing). It also stops them from getting their hands in the right position to neutralize Anderson Jr. Anderson ended up finishing third in the SEC with 7.5 sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss to go with 52 tackles and a team-high eight quarterback pressures. 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. But on the field, Anderson is just as imposing. As of now, Anderson is a power rusher who is reliant upon only a couple of moves to win as a pass rusher. Will Anderson Jr. rarely ever comes off the field. 1 overall in consecutive drafts and Jalen Hurts selected in the second round last year. The Alabama EDGE is very light on his feet and can capitalize on linemen lunging with brisk bursts of lateral movement. Has shown solid hand-swipe and arm-over moves to win on the outside that he can develop in the pros. Could Anthony Richardson go number one overall? 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 . Anderson is extremely proficient at recollecting his feet after impact and maintaining balance amidst adversity. This often confuses offensive linemen and gives Anderson the competitive edge to shed the block and sack the QB. Stroud To Be the No. I strongly encourage everyone to watch that video as it allows you to visualize everything I discuss in this scouting report. Weaknesses Despite getting good leverage on most pass rushing plays. Moreover, Anderson is an energetic, amped-up mover for his size, traversing congested areas with effervescent twitch. When lined up in a 3-point stance, he does a very good job of exploding forward and being the first one to engage in contact. His high motor allows him to get that first step off and quickly bend the edge. It also allows him to get past the tackle before they get to their set point. Class: Junior. He has a very quick first step which allows him to gain leverage immediately after the snap. Anderson has already fielded praise as one of the best prospects in a generation. 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. Scouting Report and Player Profile Analyst Matthew Lewis. He took over the starting JACK linebacker position from Day 1 of the 2020 season and. He reads the run very well, showing he can disengage in a timely manner and erase lanes. Manage Settings There is room for him to expand his pass rush arsenal, but all . 1 overall pass-rusher. 1 overall pick, but we could see several first-round picks traded as teams look to move up and take advantage of the talent at the top of this year's draft class. Please take a look and let us know what you think. Good on him. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. He is the number one overall prospect (on average) according to ESPNs top-four pundits. The only question is whether Will Anderson Jr. be the #1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Will Anderson Jr. is a direct replica of Von Miller. It also allows him to get past the tackle before they get to their set point. Stroud after his sensational first season as the Buckeyes' starter. The 2021 NFL Draft brought another bushel of hyped wide receivers, but the group lacked one thing: size. As a pass-rusher, Anderson is impressive with his inside countermoves. Not a big knock as hes simply more of a speed rusher as opposed to a power rusher. He routinely plays to the whistle with elite energy and effort. With that being said, there are not many weaknesses to his game. Will Anderson, Jr. Alabama edge rusher, ranked the No. Position: No. Likes to lunge and leave his feet to make tackles, leading to a high rate of missed tackles. He is the best pass rusher in the nation because he can effortlessly bend the edge and put pressure on the QB. Anderson is far from a liability with his size. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Daniel Jeremiah reveals his initial scouting report. Will Anderson with a 4.69 40-yard dash with a 1.61 10-yard split.
Very good initial burst off the line of scrimmage shows in that 10-yard split. 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. 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. In his 3 seasons with the Crimson Tide, he played in 39 games, starting all of them. But its important to make no prospect untouchable. This allows him to sack the QB or force them outside of the pocket. Could afford to add weight to maintain his physical playing style in the NFL. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. In a similar vein, his hands can be somewhat lax on occasion. Anderson is in a strong class of edge rushers, but he tops the list. Wasnt routinely locking out tackles in college, more just getting them off his frame with enough room to shed the block. . By the time his high school career ended, he had 39 offers. Below are some of the college football awards won by Will Anderson: NFL Scouting Combine Results When Anderson declares for the NFL Draft, we will post his NFL Scouting Combine on-field workout results in the table below. He has experience playing all over the defensive line including the 7-technique, 5-technique, 4-technique, and even inside in a 3 technique. School: Alabama. Where he needs to improve: There isn't much to mention here. His balance and leverage stand out as particular strong points. . The outside linebackers will join defensive linemen . Anderson Jr. is also good at effectively running the arc. 2021 statistics (15 games played): 102 tackles (58 solo), 34.5 for loss (17.5 sacks), three passes defensed. 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. Will Anderson, Through the Lens of Our OLB Scouting Algorithm: -- Two-time Bronko Nagurski award winner, two-time SEC Defensive Player of the Year, two-time consensus All-American. Anderson Jr. is so explosive that he is regularly beating offensive linemen out of their stance - they never stand a chance! While Anderson led the nation with 17.5 sacks in 2021, he's probably an even better run defender. This combined with excellent instincts leads to him putting himself in very good positions to make plays in the run game. Many view him as the best player in the draft that is not a quarterback. 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. When his alignment is loose on the edge, he uses that runway to devastate offensive tackles with speed-to-power rushes. Daniel Jeremiah provides his initial scouting report, supplying a striking NFL comparison in the process. With his hands, Anderson sometimes fails to drive power directly, losing coordination and control at impact. Rankings and scouting reports courtesy of Sports Illustrated NFL Draft Bible. 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. A five-star prospect out of Dutchtown High School in Georgia, Anderson immediately became a force along Alabama's defensive line. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'draftdive_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_8',116,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-draftdive_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0'); Anderson Jr. is the most polished prospect in the 2023 NFL Draft class. This year's draft clearly goes through Chicago, and in this mock, the Indianapolis Colts fresh off their hiring of coach Shane Steichen make a blockbuster trade with the Bears to land their future franchise quarterback. He can win on stunts with his physical traits or in 1-on-1 battles with various hand moves and combos. He checks every box. Starting with bend, Anderson pops up a bit upright out of his stance at times, which can sap at initial explosiveness. The Detroit Lions defense gets faster and more athletic with the top corner in the draft. Height: 6'4. 2) After dominating collegiate athletes for two seasons, it is possible that Will Anderson Jr. got bored. His freshman year was quieter, but still impressive. Recognizes blocking schemes well to put himself in a good position to take on blocksi.e., working wide versus reaches or shooting his hands to play the cut. . Anderson is a stud and we still believe in him. Stroud Jalen Carter Bryce Young NFL.com analyst and former NFL scout Daniel Jeremiah takes a "first look" at some of college football's top players for 2022. Scouting Report by Jonathan Givony. Anderson Jr. is a tier above even Aidan Hutchinson and Kayvon Thibodeaux from last year's batch. Will Anderson Jr. has been one of the most recognizable and decorated defensive prospects of this era. Continue with Recommended Cookies. In his career for Alabama, Anderson has recorded 24.5 sacks in just 3 seasons. Also uses his hands well to get clean wins that lead to sacks. The 2023 NFL Combine will be held from Thursday, March 2 to Sunday, March 5. Over the past few seasons, Anderson Jr. has been one of the nation's best pass rushers. Will Anderson Jr.'s measurements/results from the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine will be added once they become available. Position: Edge Detroit Lions (from Los Angeles Rams): Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon. When his rush does not get home, he shows the awareness to peel off and get his hands in passing lanes. Miller, an eight-time Pro Bowl selectee, bends a little better than Anderson but I'd give the Bama edge rusher the nod when it comes to pure power. However, there is no denying that both players are blue-chip prospects. With the NFL Scouting Combine ready to kickoff this week an. 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. Anderson could improve by becoming more diverse as a pass rusher and adding more speed and counters to his game. Is there anything that Will Anderson Jr. cannot do? He also isn't super bendy to turn tight corners at the top of the rush or around the edge. In 2021, Will was an absolute wrecking ball with 101 tackles and 17.5 sacks. Both of these players are explosive off the snap and play with a very high motor. 17 overall prospect in the 2020 class, Anderson received 39 offers coming out of high school. 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). From his movement skills to how effortlessly he took on blocks, it almost looked like he was getting bored out there. . Anderson Jr. Is not just elite athletically, but hes very good technically as he knows how to use his hands to win leverage battles. Led by T.J. McCreight, The 33rd Team Scouting Department has been hard at work evaluating the top prospects in this . Where does Anderson win, where can he improve, and where might he be limited? The 2023 NFL Draft will run from April 27 to 29 in Kansas City, Missouri. 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. Scouting Report: Alabama Crimson Tide, Linebacker, #31. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'draftdive_com-box-4','ezslot_9',112,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-draftdive_com-box-4-0'); Will Anderson Jr. 40-Time 4.55-4.60 range. February 7, 2023 Jack Brentnall NFL Draft, Scouting Reports. We'll. Will Anderson Jr. is a menace off the edges. A ridiculous athlete for the position, Will Anderson Jr. will be a handful. During his time at Alabama, Anderson was utilized in multiple defensive lineman alignments, lining up as an edge player, 3-tech, and 4-tech, which put him in positions to attack the weak spots of a defense and disrupt plays with physicality. The Chicago Bears currently hold the No. As we head toward the 2022 college football season, the Will Levis hype train is picking up steam. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'draftdive_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_6',114,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-draftdive_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); Over the past few seasons, Anderson Jr. has been one of the nations best pass rushers. 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;}. On top of all this, Anderson has a degree of bend capacity as well. Will Anderson out here moving better than all of the actual linebackers after the NFL put him in this group is objectively hilarious. No rookie is cant-miss but Anderson is very close. In his impressive 2021 season, Anderson secured 101 tackles, 31 for loss and a whopping 17.5 sacks in 15 games. Manage Settings Here, we see if he lives up to that reputation. Anderson was a top-50 prospect on ESPNs board in the 2020 recruiting class after racking up 22 sacks as a high school senior. After seeing what he brings to an NFL team, I strongly believe he will not fall out of the top five.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'draftdive_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_11',117,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-draftdive_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0'); As I have mentioned several times throughout this article, Anderson is the best prospect in this draft class. According to NFL Mock Draft Database, Anderson Jr. is a consensus top 5 pick. Scouting Report - Draft Dive | 2023 NFL Draft LB Spotlight Will Anderson Jr. He just might be a little more effective as a stand-up outside 'backer. This is really nitpicking. 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. Will Anderson Jr. so fluid on the bags. 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? 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report - Will Anderson. In the run game, his style is all about attacking and physically imposing his will on offensive linemen to be a dominant run defender. 1 EDGE|Overall: No. Hes able to use his finesse and lateral suddenness to scrape by moving blocks. Adam Anderson 2021 Preview By Charlie Campbell Career Recap: Georgia has been a factory for top-notch defensive talent under Kirby Smart, and Anderson will continue that trend for the 2022 NFL Draft. He's the best Alabama defender in the Nick Saban era and possibly the best Alabama defender in school history not named Derrick Thomas. Bet $5+ on any sport pre-game ML, Get $200 If Your Bet Wins, Be the first one to comment on this story. They are devastating on the backside versus the run and they play with excellent effort. Moreover, he can sustain leg drive on power rushes and drive generated power forward. Hes hard to move one-on-one with his strength and leverage at the point of attack, and he has little to no issues getting off blocks with his excellent hand placement. After high school, Anderson Jr. joined Alabama after being heavily recruited. He is easily amongst the best players in this class as he projects to develop into an elite edge rusher in the NFL. 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. But at 64, 243 pounds, he projects more as a stand-up edge rusher with relatively little inside-outside versatility. 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. Anderson is a menace in pursuit. Will Anderson Jr. scouting report Anderson has elite production, to the level where him failing almost seems impossible. 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. mitataksemme sivustojemme ja sovellustemme kyttsi. All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. If he goes to a DL who utilizes him well on stunts hell pick up a few sacks every year on them alone. Anderson has long arms and he keeps opponents away from his chest. They can also track down the ball carrier and make a tackle. He's as polished and explosive as any pass rusher I've ever evaluated. Good get-off, quick to react to the snap with good acceleration while taking short, powerful steps to maintain his base. March 2, 2023, 9:25 PM. Anderson brings good length at his size, with arms that will likely measure over 33. Missed 14 tackles in 2022- 27.5% of his tackle attempts, Tackling grades at Bama- 2022: 46.6, 2021: 71.4, 2020: 64.0. . We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development.