Anderson eager to show he’s worth top draft pick
INDIANAPOLIS — Will Anderson Jr. believes he’s the best defensive player in this year’s NFL draft pool.
He might even be the top overall pick next month in Kansas City, Missouri.
The 6-foot-3, 253-pound former University of Alabama star insists he’s willing to do whatever he must to earn both accolades, including working out at the annual NFL scouting combine currently taking place in Indianapolis.
Still, Anderson recognizes this week’s big stage for prospects is just another step in a potentially special journey toward hearing commissioner Roger Goodell call his name first on April 27.
“It’s about what you’ve got in here,” Anderson said Wednesday, tapping his heart, “and that’s what’s carried me through life. It would mean a lot. It would mean all the hard work is paying off.”
The reward would be sizable, with the prestige of being selected first overall accompanied by a lucrative contract. Travon Walker, the former University of Georgia star taken by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2022, and Anderson could become the first defensive players selected No. 1 overall in consecutive years since Miami Hurricanes tackle Russell Maryland (Dallas Cowboys) and Washington Huskies end Steve Emtman (Indianapolis Colts) in 1991-92.
Anderson, who is considered an edge rusher, also realizes this is not a coronation.
The Chicago Bears have the first overall pick but have also acknowledged they would be willing, for the right price and given the right trade partner, to swap their first-round selection with a team in need of a quarterback. Anderson would then need to impress another team that he’s the best option.
Even if the Bears stand pat, the competition just to be the first defensive player selected this year promises to be fierce.
Anderson’s biggest challenger was expected to be athletic tackle Jalen Carter (6-3, 314), a former Georgia Bulldogs star and a familiar competitor from the Southeastern Conference and the national championship hunt in recent seasons.
The Bulldogs have won the past two national titles since Alabama won the 2020 season’s championship. Alabama beat Georgia in the SEC title game in December 2021, but both schools made the four-team College Football Playoff and reached the national title game, where the Bulldogs avenged their loss by topping the Tide in Indianapolis. Alabama didn’t make the playoff this past season, and Georgia cruised past TCU in the title game to complete a 15-0 run.
A lot has happened off the field since then.
Carter, who announced earlier this week he was opting out of on-field drills, is now charged with reckless driving and racing in conjunction with the Jan. 15 crash that killed Georgia offensive lineman Devin Willock and a recruiting staff member.
In a statement he posted to Twitter on Wednesday, Carter said “there is no question in my mind that when all of the facts are known that I will be fully exonerated of any criminal wrongdoing.” Still, the misdemeanor charges could make general managers and coaches reconsider Carter’s evaluation and press him for answers as the draft process continues.
There is plenty of other defensive talent, too.
Tyree Wilson of Texas Tech and Will McDonald IV of Iowa State appear to be the top ends. Wilson has been climbing fast on some draft boards, something Anderson also has noticed. The two did combine prep work together after Wilson’s foot surgery in November.
“I think I’m real close to 100%,” said Wilson, who intends to work out at his pro day. “I just started running. After the combine, I’m going to take it to the next level and start opening up.”
Cornerbacks Christian Gonzalez of Oregon and Devon Witherspoon of Illinois also could be top-10 picks.
But working out with the linebackers, instead of what draft analysts believe are stronger, deeper position groups such as defensive linemen and cornerbacks, could help Anderson prove he’s the most dominant defender in Indy.
“Being at Alabama made me very versatile,” he said. “I was dropping into coverage, pass rushing. I can do a lot of things.”
His competition to be No. 1 goes beyond defensive prospects, too. Anderson must prove he’s more valuable than the four quarterbacks projected to go in the first round: C.J. Stroud of Ohio State, Will Levis of Kentucky, Anthony Richardson of Florida and Bryce Young, the 2021 Heisman Trophy winner and a former teammate at Alabama.
Anderson certainly understands the appeal of Young.
“If I’m in the position to take him,” Anderson said, “I’d take him.”