ESPN draft expert reveals NFL comparison for Will Anderson Jr.

Alabama linebacker Will Anderson has quite the NFL comparison, according to ESPN NFL Draft expert Matt Miller.

If you like Von Miller, then you’ll Anderson. Miller is one of the premier pass rushers in the pros and Anderson could be the second coming. Based on what Anderson did with the Crimson Tide, he won’t last long in the 2023 NFL Draft.

As Miller described him, Anderson is a “complete pass rusher.”

“A menace off the edge, Anderson saw his role increase in 2022 when the Alabama coaches needed more interior pressure and called on No. 31 to do the dirty work,” Miller wrote. “Over the past two seasons, the 6-4, 243-pounder produced 27.5 sacks, 54 tackles for loss, 130 pressures, a forced fumble and an interception. He shows unstoppable first-step quickness and has a great understanding of pass-rush angles and leverage. 

“Yes, Anderson misses some tackles in the backfield, but he is a complete pass-rusher who likely would have been the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 draft.”

Anderson is the next Miller? Sign any NFL team up for that.

Miller won two Super Bowls in his career, one with the Broncos and one with the Rams. He was Super Bowl 50 MVP. Perhaps that’s in Anderson’s future.

Anderson began his career at Alabama in 2020 as the No. 3 linebacker and No. 17 overall player in the class according to On3 Consensus. He made an instant impact on the Crimson Tide, amassing seven sacks in his first season on campus.

Afterwards, the defensive star proved the hype was real, continuing to grow from his fantastic freshman season. His sophomore season put him among the best of the best, as he accumulated 101 total tackles, 17.5 sacks and three pass deflections. Finding the backfield consistently and forcing opponents to scheme around him, Anderson was arguably the most dominant player in the entire country.

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That set high expectations for Anderson entering his junior season at Alabama in 2022, as he was considered one of the top overall prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft. He didn’t disappoint, as he recorded 51 tackles, 17 of which were for loss, and 10 sacks this season. All that sets up for Anderson to be a premium selection at the top of the 2023 NFL Draft in April and many expect he could be in the conversation for a top five pick.