NFL Scout Warns Bears Would Regret Passing On Will Anderson

The Chicago Bears have two games left. They are guaranteed at least the #2 pick in the 2023 draft if they lose both. It could be the #1 pick if the Houston Texans win one of their two remaining games. That by itself has fans excited. Yet what raises the hype even further is this might be a great year to have a top pick for teams that don't need a quarterback. Initial thoughts are there are two generational talents in Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson and Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter. Debates have already begun about who GM Ryan Poles should take if given the opportunity.

Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune spoke to a national scout from another team about the situation. While he has a high opinion of Carter, as most others do, he is of the belief the best player in the draft is Anderson. He didn't struggle painting a picture why.

“If I was going to take an edge guy, I would take Anderson in a second,” one national scout said. “He is worthy of being the first pick, really. He is better than both of those dudes last year that went 1-2.”

He is referring to Travon Walker and Aidan Hutchinson. Walker has 3.5 sacks this season, while Hutchinson has seven. Neither has wowed this year, but both have loads of potential to be great. It sounds like Anderson is head and shoulders above them.

Will Anderson is drawing big-time comparisons.

The two names mentioned most often are Von Miller and Micah Parson. Both may not be traditional 4-3 defensive ends but were elite athletes and lethal pass rushers. Miller is the closest comparison. Like Anderson, he made his name at an SEC school (Texas A&M), racking up 33 sacks. He became the #2 overall pick in 2011 and is on his way to the Hall of Fame. Anderson has 34.5 sacks for the Crimson Tide. The idea of adding somebody like Miller to their front seven would have to make Bears decision-makers drool.

Everybody remembers how rapidly Miller changed the entire landscape of Denver's defense in the 2010s. Will Anderson could do the same. It's been a long time since the Bears drafted an elite pass rusher. They've survived on expensive free agents and trade acquisitions for years. The big question is whether Matt Eberflus can overlook Carter to make that pick. The defensive tackle is a rare specimen and fits the three-technique position perfectly. However, his lack of production raises some concerns. He would be a much bigger gamble.