2023 mock NFL Draft 2.0: Fallout from free agency wave and NFL Combine
Crimson Tide . Will Anderson. 3. player. 829. . EDGE
On the clock: NFL Draft Pick No. 3: Arizona Cardinals – Will Anderson, EDGE, Alabama
Mock Draft 1.0 – Jalen Carter, Defensive Tackle, Georgia
Ideally the Arizona Cardinals are going to emulate the Chicago Bears and auction off this pick for a quarterback-needy team to go for the signal caller of their choice (presumably Anthony Richardson as of writing).
But no trades here, but also no worries for the Cardinals. They’re desperate to rebuild their defense and with the No. 1 and No. 2 pick all but certain to be quarterbacks, they get their pick of the defensive prospects.
EDGE Will Anderson is the hot favorite to be the first non-quarterback off the board. Anderson had 51 tackles, 10 sacks and an interception returned for a touchdown for the season for Alabama.
Anderson chose not to work out at the Alabama pro day but he didn’t really have to after blitzing the NFL Combine with a 4.6 second 40-yard time that’s very good for his frame and an excellent 1.61 10-yard split. Anderson is an exceptional prospect and a safe pick to anchor a NFL defensive line.
Fancy footwork from @AlabamaFTBL LB Will Anderson Jr.
— NFL (@NFL) March 3, 2023
📺: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork
📱: Stream on NFL+ pic.twitter.com/KRSlLLyAAv
Anderson is a well-rounded prospect equally adept against the pass or the run. While it’s debatable how high his ceiling is given he’s a jack of all trades and master of none, that shouldn’t scare away teams from taking him.
Unless something drastic happens between now and draft day, Anderson should be the first non-quarterback off the board on the Thursday night.