Selecting Will Anderson Jr. in the 2023 NFL Draft makes sense for the Arizona Cardinals
Edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. will likely be a top-5 pick in the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft. The Arizona Cardinals, who need help defensively, would be wise to select the former Alabama star.
The Cardinals finished 4-13 in 2022. With that said, they obviously need to address several positions this offseason. They simply can't pass up an impact defensive standout like Anderson.
The Hampton, Georgia, native is coming off a marvelous three-year career at Alabama. He helped the school win the 2021 College Football Playoff National Championship as a freshman and later became the second player to ever win the Bronko Nagurski Trophy (honors the top defensive player in college football) twice.
The best defensive player in America, the 2022 Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner, Will Anderson Jr. of @AlabamaFTBL. https://t.co/xMaSMcr9cM
Anderson is also the first player to win back-to-back SEC Defensive Player of the Year awards.
2021 was the best season of his career as he produced 101 tackles (31 for loss) and 17.5 sacks. He finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting behind Alabama teammate Bryce Young, Michigan's Aidan Hutchinson, Pitt's Kenny Pickett, and Ohio State's C.J. Stroud.
Anderson recorded 51 tackles and 10 sacks last season. His 34.5 career sacks are the second-most in Alabama history. Only Pro Football Hall of Famer Derrick Thomas has more with 52.
Drafting Will Anderson Jr. would be a great decision by the Arizona Cardinals
Arizona owns the third overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Since they already have a franchise QB in Kyler Murray, it wouldn't be surprising if they traded back and moved the pick to a quarterback-needy team like the Indianapolis Colts. If Arizona stays at No. 3, a talented defensive player like Anderson should be the selection.
Arizona struggled defensively last season with only 36 sacks, which tied the Denver Broncos for the ninth-fewest in the league. With the retirement of J.J. Watt, who led the team with 12.5 sacks, and the possible loss of free agent Zach Allen (5.5 sacks), life could get a lot worse on the defensive side of football.
Arizona Cardinals star defensive end JJ Watt retires after this season - CNN
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Adding Anderson's superb pass-rushing skills would bolster the Cardinals' D in 2023. Anderson possesses a powerful lower body, which helps him in terms of the running game. He also has the speed to get around the edge and put a lot of pressure on the opposing team's quarterback. These, of course, are attributes that the Cardinals truly need added to their defensive line.