Mel Kiper takes hilarious victory lap on Todd McShay's Will Anderson mock draft explanation

The NFL draft experts at ESPN, Todd McShay, and Mel Kiper, are breaking down their most recent 2023 mock draft and Will Anderson again caused debate. In McShay’s 4.0 mock, he has the top-three picks, all quarterbacks: C.J Stroud one, Bryce Young two, and Anthony Richardson three. But currently sitting at four is the Arizona Cardinals, who appear to be set at quarterback with Kyler Murray. So, what is their plan with the fourth pick? McShay has one player in mind.

“Will Anderson, edge rusher from Alabama,” said Todd McShay. “And listen, if Arizona stays at three and takes him, great. If you move back and get some additional picks, even better. Will Anderson, in 20-plus years of talking to Nick Saban, I’ve never seen him light up about a player more than he did with Will Anderson. He said I give him the key to the building. This guy is a throwback. He’s like guys I’ve played with.

“His energy level on the practice field, in the film room, and certainly on game day is next level. His production: 34 ½ sacks, 66 tackles for loss. Over three years playing the SEC at Alabama. Yes, he’s not Myles Garrett physically; he’s not Nick Bosa or some of the top premier pass rushers in terms of stature and maybe bend. But he brings power and an unbelievable feel for the game. His hand use, it’s so explosive. And the way he plays with relentlessness, it’s not gonna fail in the NFL.”

Kiper is in agreement with McShay having Anderson headed to Arizona. But he had to pat himself on the back for his original assessment of the former Alabama star.

“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.”

Time will only tell if McShay is on point with his mock draft selections. The NFL Draft is less than a month away, with the first round going down on Thursday, April 27. The owners of the first pick, the Carolina Panthers, will be on the clock officially at 7 p.m. CT to start the draft.