Will Anderson Jr. - NFL Mock Draft Roundup

With his power, quickness and instincts, Anderson is a rare prospect and a blocker's worst nightmare. He would have been drafted No. 1 in the 2022 NFL Draft if he were eligible and will be the first non-quarterback drafted next April barring injury or anything off the field.

The Bears traded Khalil Mack in an attempt to rebuild, so they'll have to find a new dominant edge rusher to pair with Robert Quinn.

Will Anderson has ridiculous speed and athleticism. He was a force in Alabama's defense this past season.

Even after grabbing two promising pass rushers in the 2022 draft, the Falcons wouldn't pass up the best overall player in next year's class, especially after stealing their quarterback of the future in third-rounder Desmond Ridder.

If (when?) the QBs fall, Anderson could be in contention to go first overall if he has another year like 2021, when he led the country in sacks (17.5) and tackles for loss (33.5) as a sophomore.

Anderson led the country in total pressures (81) as a sophomore in 2021. The 6-foot-4, 243-pounder may be a touch undersized, but he has the frame to add muscle. Even if he doesn't, he's lightning-quick enough to get by in the league at his size.

If Will Anderson was in the 2022 NFL Draft, he would've been the first player taken. Of course, a year ago, Kayvon Thibodeaux was the slam-dunk, write-it-in-Sharpie No. 1 overall player and then Travon Walker came on the scene late. Whatever happens on April 27, 2023, Anderson is a special talent and was dominant for Alabama last season.

How good is Alabama's Will Anderson Jr. to be considered the top overall prospect despite an intriguing quarterback class? Quite simply, the 20-year-old is a dominant force working off the edge and one of the most productive pass-rushers in recent memory.

The Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner simply takes over games. Anderson led the nation last season with 17.5 sacks and 33.5 tackles for loss. To put the last number into context, he accumulated 11.5 more tackles for loss than any other player in major college football. His 81 quarterback pressures were the most by an edge defender since 2014, according to Pro Football Focus.

If the Texans own the No. 1 overall pick, Davis Mills likely didn't develop as the organization hoped. A strong argument could and should be made in favor of a quarterback. In this instance, Anderson is too special of a talent to pass when Houston has another first-round pick to address quarterback.

After opting to grab their young franchise passer in the 2022 draft, the Falcons can go back to locking into the best defensive player available. Anderson is an awesome and prolific disruptor, the nation's most impactful athlete at any position.

After using the second pick in 2021 on Zach Wilson, the Jets aren't going to take another quarterback, so they could trade No. 2 to a QB-desperate team that wants Bryce Young. If they stay here, Anderson makes the most sense. He's a monster pass rusher, he can line up anywhere and he's already got a 17.5-sack season in the books -- most by a BCS player in seven years.

Anderson is a blue-chip prospect that is among the most exciting pass rushers to enter the NFL in recent years. He would provide the Falcons with a game-changer in its front seven.

In a 2023 NFL Draft with viable QB talent and after a 2022 NFL Draft without it, it's notable that the best player in the class is likely going to fall a few picks. Will Anderson Jr. would've been the top pick this past weekend and doesn't have much in way of warts to his game. He's as much of a freakish athlete as Jacksonville Jaguars' Travon Walker (1st overall) and he's got the polish and production of Michigan's Aidan Hutchinson (2nd overall).

If Will Anderson was eligible in this year's draft, he probably would have gone number one overall. When you turn on any Alabama game from the 2021 season, Anderson stands out above the rest. At 6-foot-4, 245 pounds, Anderson is a freaky athlete who racked up 17.5 sacks in 2021 alone. Jermaine Johnson, Will Anderson, and Carl Lawson would be the top edge group in the NFL.

The Houston Texans could very well be in the market for a quarterback here. After all, they are selecting with the first overall pick with Davis Mills at the helm. But this was always a long-haul rebuild for the franchise.

And Will Anderson Jr. is clearly the most talented player returning to college football. He's a true game-wrecker with his combination of speed and strength. What he demonstrated in 2021 gave glimpses of perhaps the best pass rusher we've ever seen in college football.

I actually think the Jets will be pretty good next year after the insane Draft Joe Douglas and his staff just put together. With 4 picks in the top 36, they took my #3, #5, #16, & #27 players in the Draft in CB Sauce Gardner, EDGE Jermaine Johnson II, WR Garrett Wilson, and RB Breece Hall. Will Anderson Jr. would have been the clear cut #1 player in this draft and could contend for the #1 overall pick even in a QB-heavy year.

The Jets had a fantastic 2022 draft but their young roster is still going to experience some growing pains. But Jets fans can be happy with landing Will Anderson - one of the most talented pass rushers I've seen. Anderson is in the category of Chase Young and Myles Garrett. Anderson is a little undersized but he still plays with great strength.

It should be clear: Will Anderson IS the best player in the country regardless of position and should be the No. 1 pick except for the fact that the 2023 draft will have two elite quarterbacks. If he had been eligible for the 2022 NFL Draft, Anderson would have easily -- no questions asked -- been the first pick on Thursday night. He's as good a bet for the Hall of Fame as we've seen the last several draft cycles.

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