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. Kun kytt sivustojamme ja sovelluksiamme, kytmme, tarjotaksemme sivustomme ja sovelluksemme sinulle, todentaaksemme kyttjt, estksemme roskapostia ja vrinkytksi sek toteuttaaksemme tietoturvatoimia. According to NFL Mock Draft Database, Anderson Jr. is a consensus top 5 pick. Note: This profile will be updated as more information becomes available. Continue with Recommended Cookies, Will Anderson Jr. 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. 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. Finally, Anderson is a very reliable tackler in the pursuit phase. Anderson is very explosive in short ranges. Anderson Jr. is a tier above even Aidan Hutchinson and Kayvon Thibodeaux from last year's batch. He routinely plays to the whistle with elite energy and effort. Special! Will Anderson Jr. rarely ever comes off the field. This is when the pass rusher gets about 7-8 yards deep in the backfield often forcing the QB up in the pocket. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. It also allows him to get past the tackle before they get to their set point. Excellent change of direction for a defensive lineman to test offensive linemens ability to redirect and consistently win with inside pass-rush moves. Widely known as one of the best players in college football. The NFL Draft and NFL Draft Logo are copyright of the National Football League and in no way are owned by Ourlads Scouting Services LLC. 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. 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). 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! His freshman year was quieter, but still impressive. Brown. Also uses his hands well to get clean wins that lead to sacks. This often confuses offensive linemen and gives Anderson the competitive edge to shed the block and sack the QB. March 2, 2023, 9:25 PM. In 1-on-1 situations, he can set up tackles with rushing angles, then capitalize on displacement and multitask around the apex. Excluding off-ball linebackers, Anderson's pressure rate of 18.3% placed fourth in the FBS, and his 3.8% sack rate tied for third. Anderson weighed in at 253 pounds, 10 more than his listed playing weight with the Crimson Tide: . First two-time Nagurski Award winner since 1996 (Best defensive player in college football), 2022: 14 sacks, 65 pressures- tied for second in the power five, 2021: 15 sacks, 82 pressures- most in FBS, Dominant as a run stopper in all 3 seasons, Run defense grades: 2022- 86.0 2021- 89.6 2020- 81.1, 53 stops in 2021 was second amongst FBS EDs. He is good at clogging lanes at the line, not allowing the running back to gain positive yardage. Anderson could improve by adding spin counters, hesitation moves, and cross-chops to cross the face of offensive linemen. According to ESPN, as a true freshman, he had 33 solo tackles, 7 sacks, and a forced fumble. 2021 statistics (15 games played): 102 tackles (58 solo), 34.5 for loss (17.5 sacks), three passes defensed. Ever since his recruitment, he has been hyped up. He is currently the second overall prospect on Mel Kiper Jr.s big board and the third overall prospect on PFFs. The Case for Anthony Richardson To Be the No. Best part of Will Anderson's workout today was how fluid he looked dropping into coverage and redirecting. His hips sometimes lock up at the apex, and with his high-cut frame, he doesnt have elite bend or sinking capacity. The Will Anderson scouting report is that he is a versatile, highly-athletic EDGE player. 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. He's as polished and explosive as any pass rusher I've ever evaluated. 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. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. With his high pedigree and gargantuan size, Evan Neal certainly has the NFL's attention. 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. He has been elite for Alabama since he first stepped foot on the field. When his rush does not get home, he shows the awareness to peel off and get his hands in passing lanes. 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.. No rookie is cant-miss but Anderson is very close. 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. Scouting report "Anderson has little weakness. As we head toward the 2022 college football season, the Will Levis hype train is picking up steam. But at 64, 243 pounds, he projects more as a stand-up edge rusher with relatively little inside-outside versatility. Relentless as a pass rusher and in run game. He checks every box. Main Photo: Gary Cosby Jr. USA Today Sports. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2023 Draft Network. cnx.cmd.push(function() {
Lastly, Anderson sometimes sacrifices leverage trying to stonewall blockers with sheer momentum, using his frame as a projectile. Finally, in his final season with Alabama, he had 24 solo tackles, 10 sacks, 1 interception, and a pass deflection. He had 57 solo tackles, 17.5 sacks, and 2 pass deflections. And he can flip his hips in tight spaces, making it easier to clog lanes in run defense. But its important to make no prospect untouchable. His 83.6 PFF grade tells the story. I'm blown away that he's even working out when so many top players don't. He doesn't have wow chase speed deep down the field but he is excellent in short areas (SEE: Anderson's quick redirect and tackle against electric Georgia RB James Cook early in the second quarter of the national title game). Daniel Jeremiah reveals his initial scouting report. February 7, 2023 Jack Brentnall NFL Draft, Scouting Reports. Alabama's Bryce Young took the college football world by storm in 2021, but what are his prospects for the NFL? Exceptionally high motor and always finishes plays; Good athletic profile all round, no real weaknesses to athleticism; Disciplined in run defense, can keep contain and has good eye discipline; Can chase down running backs from backside; Good at destructing blocks in the run game; Is able to drop into coverage if needed and has shown that he can run with tight ends; Has a sneaky amount of versatility having been used as an off-ball linebacker, 3-4 interior defensive lineman and even as a defensive tackle (aside from his usual edge role); Can win with both power and speed (and often uses the right one for different situations); Very experienced player, received a lot of gametime at college; Is able to beat double teams and overcome chipping blockers with ease; Has shown that he can overpower interior offensive lineman as well as beat offensive tackles; High character guy who is a leader in the locker room. The 2021 NFL Draft brought another bushel of hyped wide receivers, but the group lacked one thing: size. Pro Football Network strives to passionately deliver purposeful, captivating, and exceptional football content. Stroud after his sensational first season as the Buckeyes' starter. Will Anderson Jr. in Mock Drafts. Versatility. The biggest concern about the Alabama products pass-rush arsenal is that he hasnt shown a go-to move that he can win with on the outside. Copyright 2022 NFL Draft Diamonds. The outside linebackers will join defensive linemen . When rushing, Anderson has a violent disposition. After pushing my body to the limit, I need to fit in time to relax and recover. Effort rusher who will get coverage sacks. 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. 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 definitely deserved all that in 2021. Get in Touch. Will Anderson Jr. scouting report Anderson has elite production, to the level where him failing almost seems impossible. Some naysayers point to the drop in production in 2022, to which we would say two things: 1) There was no way he could replicate the 2021 season. Daniel Jeremiah scouts the Flames' star and sees shades of three different NFL signal-callers in his game, including the Eagles' Jalen Hurts. I was surprised to see how comfortable Anderson was in coverage when given the opportunity to drop back. Will Anderson Jr. is the premier pass-rusher we have yearned for in recent years. On pulling plays, Anderson attacks upfield to meet the offensive lineman and delivers a high-impact collision to disrupt the structure of the blocking scheme and it often results in a tackle for loss for Anderson or a teammate. Anderson can also improve his timing and spatial awareness. I asked a source at Alabama about his character and he told me, "That's the best thing about him." Teams will sometimes purposely leave him unblocked on runs to the other side, but he has the speed to track ball carriers down. 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. 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. Class: Junior. His lack of elite athleticism simply does not warrant such a label. He finished his career second in program history in both tackles for loss (62.0) and sacks (34.5) -- trailing only Pro Football Hall of Famer Derrick Thomas in both categories. But Andersons size is a notable hindrance in that pursuit. With that frame, the Alabama EDGE has elite explosiveness, top-notch lateral agility, great artificial power capacity and play strength, and good bend. 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 . Prolific looping around the middle on stunts due to his speed/burst. NFL Draft Scouting Reports: The Definitive Will Anderson Jr. Stroud To Be the No. In 2021, Will was an absolute wrecking ball with 101 tackles and 17.5 sacks. That's not the case with Arkansas' Treylon Burks, a beastly WR who reminds Daniel Jeremiah of Titans star A.J. Had he been in the 2022 NFL Draft, he likely would have gone first overall. It tells you everything about the competitiveness of a player. DraftDive is a trusted source for draft information and predictions. Sign up to receive all the latest news and annoucements. At times, he eats up too much space before engaging and cant manipulate angles or load up his hands. Will Anderson Jr. has been one of the most recognizable and decorated defensive prospects of this era. Youve now completed your Big Board, but if you want to save it youll need to become a TDN Premium member. Please logout and login again. Daniel Jeremiah provides his initial scouting report on the Crimson Tide quarterback after studying his game tape. Likes to lunge and leave his feet to make tackles, leading to a high rate of missed tackles. 2) After dominating collegiate athletes for two seasons, it is possible that Will Anderson Jr. got bored. Teams know what they will be getting with Anderson: a high-effort, tried-and-tested pass rusher. 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. A ridiculous athlete for the position, Will Anderson Jr. will be a handful. Daniel Jeremiah scouts the Oregon star and provides an eye-opening player comp. Between Anderson and Jalen Carter, draft evaluators have a split between who is 1a and who is 1b. 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. NFL.com analyst and former NFL scout Daniel Jeremiah takes a "first look" at some of college football's top players for 2022. Anderson is a stud and we still believe in him. 6-keys: media/spln/nfl/draft/free/stories, at This is the second entry in a series of scouting reports that will run throughout July. It's almost comical what he does to tight ends and running backs when they draw the unfortunate assignment to block him. Daniel Jeremiah provides his initial scouting report, supplying a striking NFL comparison in the process.