1. Will Anderson Jr. – Alabama

6’3 1/2″ 253 lbs.
Enter the best player in the 2023 NFL draft, Will Anderson Jr. playing arguably the most impactful position on the defense, Anderson plays the position at an extremely high level. He has the genetic makeup to be a generational type of player thanks to his genetic makeup, and constant motor going 100%. What makes him so special is his ability to get after the quarterback, as well as play the run. He is able to shed blocks off the get go, and blow plays up in the backfield. He has shown this countless times while playing at Alabama. Anderson plays with a high football iq, allowing him to diagnose plays, and fly across the defensive front to stop the run. Despite his lighter frame, Anderson utilizes his agility to shed blocks and set the edge well. He does a good job of utilizing his tools when rushing the quarterback, throwing different things at the offensive lineman lined up across from him. One of his only knocks is the fact that he can get too excited and overcommit in the run game. With such a strong quarterback class, Anderson will drop a few picks due to teams looking for a franchise cornerstone. He could go at 2, or drop to 5 if the Cardinals believe that Jalen Carter could produce more than Anderson Jr. in their defense. 

2. Tyree Wilson – Texas tech

6’6″ 271 lbs.
Tyree Wilson has incredible size and length at the edge rusher position, and is able to play through contact at a very high level. Each year throughout his college career you saw in increase in production, showing no signs of plateauing. He was also moved around the defensive line fairly often, getting different looks against smaller lineman. Wilson has the speed and bend to attack the edge, and utilizes his change of direction quickness well to cutback inside. Wilson diagnoses plays well, and is able to read and attack the run. He had the athletic ability to chase down runners from the backside, and maintain a strong contain on the edge. Wilson is a very strong tackler and rarely misses them thanks to his size and extremely long arms. He has an explosive first step when rushing the quarterback, and has long strides to close space in the backfield. Wilson was always a mismatch no matter where you lined him up across the line of scrimmage because of his size, strength, and speed. He was able to physically dominate offensive lineman in college, but will need to develop a wide range of moves to translate that success to the NFL. Due to his long frame, he plays with inconsistent pad level and can get knocked off his rush as he gives the offensive lineman the leverage advantage. Wilson lacks the elite speed you look for in an edge rusher, but makes up for it with his play speed. Wilson could go anywhere in the top 10 and is a hard prospect to gage where teams have him. 

3. Nolan Smith – Georgia

6’2″ 238 lbs.
One of the biggest risers at the defensive edge position is Nolan Smith who had an excellent showing at the NFL combine. Smith has the ability to play a sa 4-3 edge or in a 3-4 as an outside linebacker. Speed and power is Smith’s game and he shines with his run defense. He is violent off the snap of the ball, and has the unteachable trait of being relentless on every single snap. Smith is able to attack the edge with speed, and has good flexibility to get underneath offensive tackles when bending outside. Thanks to his explosive first step, Smith is able to close space between himself and blockers quickly. He has shown good coverage skills when dropping in zone, and reads quarterbacks eyes to take up passing lanes. He’s very instinctive in the run game, and is able to locate the football with his eyes and chase down ball carriers with his speed. He does a good job of jabbing forward when engaging blockers, but still needs to work on shedding off those blocks. He tends to be too reliant on his first step and length to beat blockers and will need to develop a repertoire of moves to succeed at the next level. He has great athleticism but lacked production at Georgia, only recording 9 sacks within his last 2 seasons. Overall Smith plays with good aggression, physicality, and speed, but needs to work on his hands in order to show up in the stat sheet in the NFL. Smith has the potential to go anywhere in round 1, and although I have him listed as an edge rusher, I think his future is at outside linebacker. 

4. Lukas Van ness – Iowa

Lukas Van Ness is a raw prospect that shows tremendous upside thanks to his athleticism and ability to utilize his massive frame. As a redshirt in 2020, Van Ness played more as an interior defensive lineman in 2021. In 2022 he made the transition to play primarily on the edge for the Hawkeyes. Despite the fact that Van Ness played in 2021 and 2022, he never actually started a game in his college career. He did have lots of opportunities as a rotational player and was able to produce when given the chance. Van Ness demonstrates good ability to convert speed to power and play through blockers well. He possesses a huge frame and good length, and for a man that big he has surprising burst that catches offensive lineman off guard. Thanks to his versatility on the line of scrimmage, teams can feel confident to move him inside throughout games. He has good functional strength that shows off wherever he is lined up across the defensive front. Despite showing the ability to play the run well, Van Ness needs to develop his game when it comes to block recognition. As he is fairly raw as a prospect teams may have him lower on their draft board, leading him to drop in the first round. But given his high upside and ability to play multiple positions well, I have him being called in the tail end of the first round.