Raiders Scouting Report: Alabama EDGE Will Anderson Jr.

The Las Vegas Raiders need to get Maxx Crosby some serious help, or else fans are going to witness No. 98’s career being wasted. Chandler Jones has been a free agent bust, and more than likely, that’s not going to get any better. Drafting Will Anderson Jr. out of Alabama would be a nice start next year to help rectify Dave Ziegler’s largest offseason blunder thus far.

Raiders Mock: Drafting Will Anderson Jr., Alabama, EDGE

Measurables/Background

Ahead of the NFL Combine season, Anderson is listed at 6-foot-4 and 243 pounds. He’s arguably the top defensive prospect that’ll be available next April during the NFL Draft.

According to NFLDraftBuzz.com, Anderson was originally a four-star recruit coming out of high school. Hailing from Hampton, Georgia, Anderson attended Dutchtown High School and was one of the most sought-after prospects. Anderson started playing right away for Nick Saban, the head coach of Alabama. He played in 646 snaps as a freshman.

In the last three seasons, Anderson has amassed a whopping 32.5 sacks and 55.5 tackles for a loss. During this current collegiate season, the vaunted pass rusher has accumulated 195 total tackles. He’s been No. 1 in both the nation and the SEC since last season for tackles for a loss, with 31 in 2021 and 14 this year. Anderson has been near or atop several other key categories throughout his career, including sacks and solo tackles, and has received numerous awards. Among these awards were being named an All-American and the SEC’s Defensive Player of the Year for 2021.