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Surprise pick at number one in this 2023 NFL mock draft

By Ronnie Eastham

2023 NFL Mock Draft: Bryce Young #9 of the Alabama Crimson Tide during the game against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on November 12, 2022 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)
2023 NFL Mock Draft: Bryce Young #9 of the Alabama Crimson Tide during the game against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on November 12, 2022 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images) /
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2023 NFL Mock Draft, Chicago Bears
NFL Draft – (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /

. 3. player. 829. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Edge. Will Anderson Jr.

3. Arizona Cardinals: Will Anderson Jr., EDGE, Alabama

The Arizona Cardinals are starting over with first-time head coach Jonathan Gannon and general manager Monti Ossenfort.  They have some talented players on the offensive side of the ball, starting with Kyler Murray, is he a top-five guy at the position, no but he’s still a legit signal caller in this league; however, with JJ Watt’s retirement who is going to create that pressure on the Cardinals’ defensive side.

Watt totaled 12.5 sacks a season ago and the next closest to him was defensive end, Zach Allen, with 5.5.  Watt’s retirement leaves a huge hole in the Cardinals’ pass rush, enter Will Anderson Jr.  Some scouts consider Anderson the best overall prospect in this draft, regardless of position.

Anderson is a three-year starter with the Alabama Crimson Tide, where he totaled 37 sacks during that span, with 29 of those coming during the last two seasons.  In that same three-span, he totaled an eye-popping 200 quarterback pressures.

Will Anderson is about as close to a sure thing as an edge rusher as you’re going to find coming into the NFL.  I have little doubt he’ll be right there in the conversation for defensive rookie of the year and is someone the Cardinals will be able to build their defense around.

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