Chris Mortensen reveals Alabama sat Will Anderson out of some practices to let offense work

On Tuesday, for ESPN’s mock draft special, senior NFL insider Chris Mortensen joined Mel Kiper Jr. to review Todd McShay’s mock draft 4.0. And in McShay’s most recent mock draft, he has quarterbacks CJ Stroud, Bruce Young, and Anthony Richardson going first, second, and third following a trade for the third pick. Currently holding the number four pick is the Arizona Cardinals. McShay sees it as a toss-up for the Cardinals on whether or not they will keep their pick or trade out of that spot to pick up more assets. If they stay where they’re at, he sees them selecting former Alabama Crimson Tide EDGE Will Anderson Jr.

After McShay gave his thoughts on Anderson heading to Arizona, Kiper joined in as well but took a moment to pat himself on the back following McShay’s change of heart. After two draft experts had their fun, Mortensen chimed in and gave his thoughts on it as well, along with what he’s hearing from his NFL friends in draft war rooms across the country.

“Listen, everything Todd said about Nick Saban, just the way he lights up when he talks about him, that’s all true,” said Mortensen. “He mentioned what a great practice player he was. So good that they had kind of sit him out of some practice periods so the offense could practice and run some plays because he was that disruptive.

“The one thing about this past year; I think his sophomore season was better than his junior season. Not that it makes his junior season bad. But, like against Tennessee and their right tackle Donald Wright, he got dominated. So that he can happen. And I think whoever drafts him is gonna be happy with him and gonna find the right scheme to use him in.”

Kiper takes a victory lap on McShay’s mock draft explanation on Anderson

Earlier, when Kiper discussed McShay’s mock sending Anderson to Arizona, he loved the idea. But he had to pat himself on the back for his original assessment of the former Alabama star. In previous mocks McShay was big on Anderson and thought he could be the next great pass-rusher. Now, not so much. But he’s still a great pick-up for Arizona.

“Love the pick,” said Kiper. “I think he’s a special young man. And Todd over there kept saying he was a special player and an elite player. Now, he’s saying he’s not Von Miller or Myles Garrett. Finally, Todd came around to that. He doesn’t have the bend, doesn’t have the initial explosiveness of those elite 18-sacks-a-year guys. But he’ll get you 10 to 12, and that’s more than enough.

“Great attitude, great approach. The stunts, the twists, the way they use him, they will use him there. I just like to see them learn the strip sack. That’s what his defensive line coach will teach him. He had zero force fumbles the last two years. The strip sacks got to be part of that repertoire. He’s certainly as hard of a worker as anybody. You want this kid on your football team.”