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Scout's analysis: Strengths, weaknesses of Will Anderson Jr.
Will Anderson Jr. Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports

Scout's analysis: Strengths, weaknesses of Alabama OLB Will Anderson Jr.

Drae Harris played collegiately at California and worked in NFL scouting departments for the Cardinals, Chiefs and Browns. (Go here for all Harris' scouting reports.)

Alabama outside linebacker Will Anderson Jr. finished his time in Tuscaloosa second on the Crimson Tide's career sack leaderboard (34.5) while logging 58.5 tackles for loss over three seasons. He is only the second player to win the Nagurski Award twice and also this past season earned the Chuck Bednarik Award as the nation's top defender.

Strengths: Anderson, who measured 6-foot-3.5 and 253 pounds at the NFL Scouting Combine, plays with outstanding agility and initial quickness off the snap. He consistently competed in the SEC for top conference marks in sacks, pressures and tackles for loss. Anderson can rush with finesse from the edge and has the speed to make it work -- at the NFL Scouting Combine, he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.6 seconds while turning in an eye-popping overall show.

Anderson shows excellent power in his hips and hands, easily converting “speed to power” on the edge. Against the run, he lands heavy at the point of attack and does a strong job of setting the edge. His length and the explosive “pop” in his hands allow him to disengage and wreck the ball carrier.

Weaknesses: Anderson finished with relatively decreased production in 2022 (31 tackles for loss in 2021 to 17), perhaps most notably in the drop in his sack total (17.5 to 10). Because he recorded 24.5 sacks over his first two seasons, opposing offensive coordinators made neutralizing his pass-rush ability a primary focus.

This past season, Anderson faced a lot of chips by running backs as well as double teams. Opposing offensive lines slid the protection toward his alignment.

Physically and technically, the linebacker does have some hip stiffness when turning the corner -- developing a more efficient counter after his initial move has been thwarted would serve him well in the NFL.

Conclusion: While there are questions surrounding most of the top-tier first-round draft picks in this year's class, Anderson may well be the closest thing to a “cant-miss” prospect as there is in the pool. Historically, dominant pass rushers in the SEC tend to have an easier time transitioning their collegiate success into the pros.

Anderson offers schematic versatility and is a player whom defensive coordinators can use as a strategic chess piece in any defensive structure. A Day 1 starter in the NFL, he will likely produce double-digit sacks if he remains healthy.

What others say | ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr.: "[A]fter the 2021 season I said, ‘Boy, he’s locked into being the No. 1 pick overall,’ but his production dropped from 17.5 sacks down to 10... Will he be a 10-sack-a- year guy or an 18- to 20-sack-a-year guy, that’s where there’s some differences of opinion.”

ESPN's Todd McShay: “Arizona is hoping that a quarterback goes number one, some team goes up to go get Bryce Young… so they can get Will Anderson [at No. 3], the best defensive player in this draft."

 Comp: Khalil Mack, Los Angeles Chargers

 Round: First

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