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2023 NFL Mock Draft: Jonathan Gannon gets a new edge defender

With the 3rd overall pick in the 2023 Bleeding Green Nation community mock draft, Arizona Cardinals GM alwaysaphillyfan selects ...

Texas A&M v Alabama Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Will Anderson, EDGE, Alabama

Losing JJ Watt leaves a huge hole in the Arizona defense. Without a defensive superstar rushing the QB, the Cardinals won’t ever find success. Will Anderson is a stud. He could be the person to take Jonathan Gannon’s new team to the next level and make them a Baltimore Ravens-type team with a lockdown defense and a solid rushing offense, which could carry them back to the playoffs.

Scouting report:

Three-year starter for vaunted Alabama program with eye-popping production that encapsulates his potential impact. Anderson is well-built with long arms. He has the rush get-off and skill level to consistently shave edges or pry open rush paths with inside moves. Even when he’s blocked around the arc or on the diagonal, Anderson’s footwork, cornering and closing speed help him dive into the pocket. There is room for more growth with hand usage and he will need to prove he can keep racking up the sack totals outside of Nick Saban’s scheme. Anderson is suited to a 3-4 front, where he can play wider to better allow his length to overcome size deficiencies at the point of attack. His traits, athleticism and production against high-level competition are indicators of a Pro Bowl future.

Poll

Do you approve of this pick?

This poll is closed

  • 90%
    Yes
    (431 votes)
  • 9%
    No
    (44 votes)
475 votes total Vote Now

2023 BGN Mock Draft Order

1) Panthers (pheebthegoose): QB Bryce Young
2) Texans (Phoenix X Minimus): QB C.J. Stroud
3) Cardinals (alwaysaphillyfan): EDGE Will Anderson
4) Colts (eaglenomics)
5) Seahawks (The Player Formerly Known as Mousecop)
6) Lions (Sam2TheMaximum)
7) Raiders (joey2arms)
8) Falcons (Kephas)
9) Bears (chewy wellington)
10) Eagles (Philly21)
11) Titans (RachAttack)
12) Texans (Domonate)
13) Jets (JawnJam)
14) Patriots (Amish Eagle Lion)
15) Packers (bdawk4ever)
16) Commanders (the dog did it)
17) Steelers (Dr.MidnightGreen)
18) Lions (DreadPirateRocco)
19) Buccaneers (Neil Dutton)
20) Seahawks (wardbell92)
21) Chargers (Brendanekstrom)
22) Ravens (Rollinpin)
23) Vikings (FierceDisc65)
24) Jaguars (dkays)
25) Giants (roberticus01)
26) Cowboys (EHyungNim)
27) Bills (EHyungNim)
28) Bengals (mainmanham)
29) Saints (RiverCityEagle)
30) Eagles (ablesser88)
31) Chiefs (Hoosinole)


Now it’s time for you to vote for who YOU think should be selected in the 2023 BGN Community Consensus Mock Draft.

Poll

Who should the Cardinals draft at No. 3 overall?

This poll is closed

  • 81%
    DE Will Anderson
    (183 votes)
  • 3%
    DE Tyree Wilson
    (8 votes)
  • 7%
    DT Jalen Carter
    (17 votes)
  • 1%
    CB Christian Gonzalez
    (3 votes)
  • 3%
    QB Anthony Richardson
    (8 votes)
  • 2%
    QB Will Levis
    (5 votes)
224 votes total Vote Now

1) Panthers: QB C.J. Stroud
2) Texans: QB Bryce Young
3) Cardinals:

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