Will Anderson Jr. is about to be some NFL franchise’s 21st century version of Derrick Thomas.
By declaring for the 2023 NFL Draft, Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. projects as the best defensive player to star in Tuscaloosa since the legendary Derrick Thomas.
In three years playing for Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide, what didn’t Anderson accomplish? He won a national title as a true freshman before becoming a two-time unanimous All-American and bringing back to Tuscaloosa so much impressive hardware. Anderson is essentially a fail-proof NFL Draft prospect. He will be coming off the board inside of the top five. Do not overthink this.
Here are three NFL teams that should look to bolster their pass rush by drafting Anderson high.
Alabama pass-rusher Will Anderson has declared for the 2023 NFL Draft.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 2, 2023
Will Anderson Jr. declares for 2023 NFL Draft: 3 teams for Alabama pass-rusher
Atlanta Falcons would have to trade up to draft hometown hero Will Anderson Jr.
With the Atlanta Falcons probably picking in the latter part of the top 10, the Dirty Birds would presumably have to trade up to draft the former high school star from Henry Country. It would be a huge hit if the Falcons were to end up with either Anderson or Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter. However, they are going to have to get inside of the top five to potentially land either star.
The ideal trade partner for the Falcons would be the Seattle Seahawks, who possess the Denver Broncos’ first-round pick. Seattle massively overachieved this season. The Seahawks still need a few pieces to really contend, so they will need to amass more draft capital to do so. If they stayed in the top five with Denver’s pick, Carter is probably their guy over Anderson. Atlanta can move up.
The sooner the Falcons get a competent pass rush, the sooner they can end their playoff drought.
Arizona Cardinals should be contracted if they passed over Will Anderson Jr.
With J.J. Watt retiring and the Arizona Cardinals having just gone through another miserable season, they simply cannot afford to let a generational playmaker like Anderson slip through their fingers. Arizona already has a Pro Bowl-level franchise quarterback in Kyler Murray, a well-compensated one at that. Drafting Anderson this high is all about shoring up the defensive line.
Anderson should be one of the first two defensive players taken in this draft, along with Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter, should he declare after the national championship game vs. TCU. So if the Cardinals are picking at No. 4 or No. 5 and Anderson somehow has not heard his name called, the franchise should be contracted for making such an egregious error by passing on him.
By taking Anderson, he has the potential to be Arizona’s best defensive star since Patrick Peterson.
Chicago Bears should make it back-to-back Alabama picks with Will Anderson Jr.
Few organizations in professional sports make the simple look as complicated as the Chicago Bears. The good news is the franchise seems to finally be moving on from 1985. They have the quarterback in Justin Fields, but not much else. The wins will come eventually, maybe. In the meantime, just take Anderson at No. 2 overall, or even at No. 1 if the Houston Texans win Sunday.
Anderson could be everything Shaquille Leonard was for Matt Eberflus in Indianapolis, and then some. Since Ryan Poles did not have a first-round pick to work with last spring, this is the one that he will inevitably be defined by. He is not going to Mitch Trubisky this up. By taking Anderson at No. 2 overall, no one will ever blame Poles or the Bears organization if this pick did not pan out.
There are fewer certainties in the 2023 NFL Draft besides Anderson being a perennial Pro Bowler.
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