Mel Kiper weighs NFL Draft decision between Will Anderson, Jalen Carter

Will Anderson and Jalen Carter will not battle on the field for the rest of the college football season, instead the two star defenders from Alabama and Georgia will battle for NFL Draft positioning. ESPN NFL Draft expert Mel Kiper rated Anderson and Carter as his two top defenders in the upcoming class. 

“It’s going to come down to Anderson vs. Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter, just like we predicted last May,” Kiper wrote. “Anderson, who has 56 tackles for loss and 27.5 sacks over the past two seasons, gives offensive tackles nightmares because of his get-off speed and ability to wreck plays. But Carter has rare physical traits for an interior pass-rusher, with quickness and power to blow up interior linemen.”

Anderson and Carter could be the top picks that are not quarterbacks, such as potentially Alabama’s Bryce Young, Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud or Kentucky’s Will Levis. Anderson received Heisman Trophy buzz last season while Carter helped anchor a national championship defense for the Bulldogs and could do so again.

But, Anderson could have an advantage over Carter considering the Crimson Tide linebacker won the SEC Defensive Player of The Year award, as well as the Bronko Nagurski award for the second straight year.

“As for which defender goes first off the board, it’ll come down to team fit,” Kiper wrote. “Anderson is atop most boards right now, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see Carter go to the first team that needs a defensive player. You might be surprised by my Big Board on Thursday.”

In his college career, Anderson has 204 total tackles, 114 solo tackles, 58.5 tackles for loss, 34.5 sacks, one interception, four pass deflections, one forced fumble and one defensive touchdown. For Carter, he has 80 total tackles, 41 solo tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss, six sacks, three pass deflections and two forced fumbles.

As a member of the Class of 2020, Anderson was a five-star prospect out of Hampton (G.A.) Dutchtown, according to the On3 Consensus. He was the No. 4 overall prospect in the state, the No. 3 linebacker in the class and the No. 17 overall prospect in the class.

As far as Carter is concerned, he was also a five-star prospect in the Class of 2020 out of Apopka (Fla.) High. He was the No. 2 overall prospect in the state, the No. 4 defensive lineman in the class and the No. 14 overall prospect in the class.