NFL Draft Rumors: Alabama's Will Anderson Declared 2023's Top Prospect by AFC Exec

The College Football Playoff National Championship figures to be a great showcase for Will Anderson Jr. on Monday night, but the Alabama star's NFL draft stock may not have much higher to climb.

The MMQB's Albert Breer spoke to an executive from an AFC team who said there's "no doubt" Anderson is the No. 1 player on the 2023 draft board.

Bryce Young lifted the 2021 Heisman Trophy, but the Crimson Tide quarterback may not even be the best player on his own team.

Anderson has had one of the most dominant defensive seasons in recent memory. He's second on the team with 98 tackles, and he has been in a class by himself as a pass-rusher. In addition to 17.5 sacks, he has 34.5 tackles for loss, an FBS record.

The 6'4", 243-pound linebacker has drawn comparisons to another Alabama legend, Derrick Thomas. Thomas had 27 sacks in 1988 and wreaked havoc on opposing offensive linemen during his time with the Tide.

Former Mississippi State quarterback Tony Shell played against Thomas and saw shades of the Hall of Famer when watching Anderson.

"They have a lot in common with the way they can take over a game," he said to ESPN's Alex Scarborough. "Against my Bulldogs, I can't tell you how many sacks he had."

Alabama defensive coordinator Pete Golding explained to Glynn A. Hill of the Washington Post how Anderson's physicality sets him apart from others at his position:

"Obviously, he’s an elite pass rusher, but I think one of his best traits is how physical he is at the point of attack and knocking guys back and being able to play the run. Everybody from a draft standpoint is looking for guys that specialize in certain things, and I think he’s got all the tools that you’re looking for from an every-down standpoint. You throw that on top of who he is as a person, his character, his want-to, his leadership ability. He’s as special as I’ve been around."

Barring something unforeseen, Anderson figures to firmly be in the conversation for the No. 1 pick in 2023. 

Some of his stiffest competition may come from within his own team since Young will also be draft-eligible next year. Ohio State star quarterback C.J. Stroud will likely be in the conversation as well.

Between Oregon's Kayvon Thibodeaux and Michigan's Aidan Hutchinson, there's a good chance an edge-rusher will go first overall in 2022. Anderson could make it two years in a row.