Will Anderson Jr Be Drafted to the NFL?
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The NFL draft is just around the corner, and one of the big questions is whether or not Will Anderson Jr will be drafted. Some experts say yes, while others are not so sure. So, what do you think? Will Anderson Jr be drafted to the NFL?
Anderson’s Chances
Anderson has good size for a defensive end at 6’5″ and 260 pounds. He was a production machine in college, putting up 19.5 sacks and 37.5 tackles for loss over his last two seasons. He’s also a good athlete, running a 4.69 forty-yard dash at his Pro Day. However, there are a few concerns about his game. Anderson didn’t face top competition in college and he’s a bit undersized for an NFL defensive end.
Anderson’s NFL Combine Results
Will Anderson Jr be drafted to the NFL?
Anderson’s NFL Combine Results:
40-yard dash: 4.48 seconds
Bench press: 21 reps of 225 pounds
Vertical jump: 33.5 inches
Broad jump: 121.0 inches
Anderson’s Pro Day Results
After a strong showing at his pro day, many experts are now saying that Anderson Jr has a good chance of being drafted into the NFL.
His pro day results were as follows:
-40 yard dash: 4.47 seconds
-Bench press: 27 reps
-Vertical jump: 35.5 inches
-Broad jump: 9 feet, 11 inches
The Mock Drafts
ESPN
The ESPN NFL mock draft is out and they have the New York Jets selecting former Baylor quarterback Will Anderson Jr. with the sixth overall pick.
This would be a great selection for the Jets as they get a young quarterback who has a lot of upside. Anderson Jr. has a strong arm and is very accurate. He also has the ability to make plays with his feet.
NFL.com
In their latest mock draft, NFL.com has the New Orleans Saints selecting former LSU cornerback Greedy Williams with the No. 27 overall pick in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft.
CBS Sports
The full seven-round 2020 NFL Mock Draft by CBS Sports
With the 2020 NFL Draft now just two months away, it’s time for another mock draft. And with the NFL Combine in the rearview mirror, there are a few changes from our last mock. Here’s our latest first-round projection:
1. Cincinnati Bengals — Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
2. Washington Redskins — Chase Young, EDGE, Ohio State
3. Detroit Lions — Jeffrey Okudah, CB, Ohio State
4. New York Giants — Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson
5. Miami Dolphins — Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
6. Los Angeles Chargers — Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
7. Carolina Panthers — Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn
8. Arizona Cardinals — Mekhi Becton, OT
The Final Verdict
After much discussion and debate, it seems that the answer to the question is a resounding yes. Anderson Jr will more than likely be drafted into the NFL come May. All signs point to him being a high draft pick, and some believe he could even go in the first round. While there is still a chance that something could happen to prevent him from being drafted, it seems very unlikely at this point.
Why Anderson Will Be Drafted
The biggest reason Anderson will be drafted is his potential. Anderson is 6’8 and 300 pounds, so he has the ideal size for an NFL offensive tackle. He also has good speed for his size, running a 4.96 40-yard dash at his Pro Day. Anderson is still raw and needs to improve his technique, but he has the physical tools to be a very good NFL offensive tackle.
Why Anderson Won’t Be Drafted
As an undrafted free agent, Will Anderson Jr. will have a very uphill battle to make an NFL roster. Though he had a productive college career, there are several factors working against him as he tries to make the jump to the professional level.
First, at 6’0″ and only 185 pounds, Anderson is on the small side for an NFL wide receiver. He’ll need to put on some weight and muscle if he wants to be able to compete against the bigger, stronger defensive backs at the pro level.
Second, Anderson ran a 4.6-second 40-yard dash at his pro day. While that’s not a terrible time, it’s not particularly fast either, and speed is always at a premium in the NFL. He’ll need to find a way to separate himself from defenders with his quickness and route-running ability if he wants to catch the eye of NFL scouts.
Finally, Anderson played his college ball at a small school (Stony Brook) that isn’t exactly known for producing NFL talent. He’ll need to prove that he can perform against tougher competition if he wants to make an NFL roster.
All of these factors make it unlikely that Anderson will be drafted by an NFL team next year. However, if he’s willing to put in the hard work and show that he can overcome these obstacles, he may be able to latch on with a team as a free agent and eventually earn his way onto an NFL roster.
