Mel Kiper Jr. gives hot take on Will Anderson’s draft stock: Really good, not special

Most of the attention is on the quarterbacks in the 2023 NFL Draft, but former Alabama defender Will Anderson is also in that top-five pick conversation. He’s the first defensive player off ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr.’s board in his latest mock draft, and he’s the only non-quarterback in Kiper’s top five picks.

Based on Kiper’s comments on his Mock Draft 3.0 special, though, that’s a case of need more than getting a “special” player.

“Will Anderson Jr., if you want him, you go three to four,” Kiper said. “Get a guy who certainly uses his hands so well. Incredibly productive two years ago, solid year this past season. He doesn’t have the bend. He doesn’t have that explosiveness out of the blocks of a Von Miller or a Myles Garrett.

“I think he’s a really good player. I don’t think he’s a special player. But for the Cardinals, he’s exactly what they need: an EDGE rusher.”

The Cardinals currently have the No. 3 overall pick and — barring a trade — will likely be in the market for an pass rusher, especially in light of J.J. Watt’s retirement. Because of the amount of quarterback talent atop the board, there’s a rumored possibility of a trade down. Kiper predicted as much with Arizona moving down to No. 4 and taking Anderson as the Indianapolis Colts moved up to No. 3.

If Arizona was to trade down even father, though, there’s a possibility Anderson won’t be on the board. Although there will still be some impressive defensive talent and Arizona might be comfortable taking a cornerback, Kiper said that’s one of the factors in a decision to trade.

“That’s the key here because if you think about the Raiders at seven trading up to three, then the Arizona Cardinals will lose Will Anderson Jr. and have to settle for a corner, which they may be OK with,” Kiper said.

ESPN’s Todd McShay: I still think Will Anderson is going to be elite at the next level

Anderson finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting in 2021 after a monster year. He had 101 tackles, including 31.0 tackles for loss and 17.5 sacks. His production dipped in 2022 largely because teams threw more coverage at him. He finished the year with 51 tackles, 17.0 tackles for loss and 10.0 sacks.

Considering the big factors in those lower numbers in 2022, Kiper’s fellow analyst Todd McShay said he saw reason to believe Anderson can be elite in the NFL.

“You know what you’re getting with Will Anderson,” McShay said. “Jalen Carter from Georgia is the best player in this entire draft, offense and defense combined. But Will Anderson is the second best defensive player in this draft, in my opinion, and he has the character — football and personal — that you’re looking to bring into your locker room. And his work ethic is legendary at Alabama. They talked about it nonstop from Nick Saban and defensive coordinator, everyone in the building.

“This past year, I don’t know there was a player that had more attention — double teams, sliding protection, chips, everything you can do to take a player out of the game than Will Anderson and he still had … over 50 pressures this past season. So yeah, the sacks were down a little bit and yes, he lacks a little bit of bend and might leave a couple tackles and sacks on the field. But I still think this guy is going to be an elite edge rusher at the next level and can play the run.”