2023 NFL Draft Prospects: 3-4 Outside Linebacker

4/24/23: Anderson has done well in the team interviews and ran well in the combine 40. In 2022, Anderson totaled 51 tackles, 10 sacks and an interception returned for a touchdown. He had some painful penalties against Texas, but he also made some clutch plays for the Crimson Tide. Anderson was clutch against Texas A&M as well, but he was unusually quiet versus Tennessee.

A number of team sources told WalterFootball.com, however, they do not see a freak athlete or generational talent with Anderson. “I love Will Anderson but have some question as to how well his dominance will translate to the NFL,” said an AFC director of player personnel. “What is his dominant trait other than instincts? Size? No. Speed? No. Strength/power? No. He’s not special athletically, so are these sack numbers inflated? Then, you ask yourself could he be an anomaly guy like a Shaq Barrett? You aren’t sure how he’s getting all those sacks, but you can’t argue with the production.”

7/7/22: Anderson was the rare freshman to start on Nick Saban’s defense, but Anderson proved his special ability with a superb 2020 season. He was third in the SEC in sacks, with seven, while also recording 10.5 tackles for a loss and 52 tackles. Anderson was phenomenal in 2021 and the most dominant defensive player in college football, recording 101 tackles, 17.5 sacks and three passes defended. Not only was he a overwhelming pass rusher, but he was a strong, tough run defender.

Anderson has size, speed and athleticism, plus is an explosive playmaker. He lines up as an outside linebacker and will put his hand in the ground as a defensive end. Known as “The Terminator” by his teammates, Anderson is said to have a serious work ethic with an intensity that he expects his teammates to match. Anderson is a true “Alpha Dog” prospect for the NFL.

The NFL advance scouts gave Anderson the highest grade of any player eligible for the 2023 NFL Draft on the preseason watchlist of 2023 prospects. Anderson has the look of a No. 1-overall caliber prospect, like Myles Garrett or Jadeveon Clowney, and the only issue that might cause him not to go first overall could be the quarterback needs and market.

4/24/23: In 2022, Murphy totaled 40 tackles, 6.5 sacks, one forced fumble and two passes defended. He tailed off down the stretch and seemed to be protecting himself. Murphy is a freak athlete who has a crazy combination of size, speed, athleticism and strength. Murphy has the skill set to do whatever he wants on the football field; he can burn tackles with speed, use his strength to set the edge in the ground game, dominate tight ends, and simply take over games.

7/6/22: Murphy was excellent as a freshman defensive end for Clemson in 2020, recording 51 tackles, 12 for a loss, four sacks, three forced fumbles and a pass broken up. Murphy has versatile size and could grow into being a defensive tackle for the next level. In 2021, Murphy recorded 37 tackles and seven sacks.

4/24/23: Smith totaled 18 tackles, three sacks and a pass batted for 2022. His play disappointed, and he did not make a big impact as a pass rusher. However, Smith has gotten a lot of first-round hype for the 2023 NFL Draft even though he never produced first-round production or impact at Georgia. Smith helped himself with an excellent combine workout. He also has great character and is a leader, so he impressed in the team interviews.

7/7/22: In 2021, Smith was a dangerous edge rusher for Georgia. He played hard and totaled 55 tackles, 3.5 sacks, one interception and three forced fumbles. In 2020, Smith had 22 tackles and 2.5 sacks.

Smith is quick off the edge, but he needs to grow stronger for the NFL. He flashed ability as an underclassman and should improve as he gains experience. Smith’s bigger role as a pass rusher and run defender should only grow in 2022.

4/24/23: McDonald recorded 36 tackles, five sacks and a pass batted in 2022. Team sources rave about his speed, athleticism, and natural quarterback-hunting talent. They think he could be a 15 sacks-per-year player in the NFL. However, they also view him as limited to being a designated pass rusher because he struggles significantly as a run defender. McDonald is said to be a good, nice kid, but one who needs a lot of babysitting and escorting to be where he is supposed to be. Multiple pro team sources think McDonald will go in the back half of the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft and won’t last long if he slips to Round 2.

7/7/22: Team sources rave about McDonald’s pass-rush ability and his natural skills at getting after the quarterback. He is fast and athletic, allowing him to shoot past blockers and put steady heat on the signal-caller. NFL teams, however, say McDonald is terrible versus the run and even bad opponents can destroy him in the ground game. Hence, he might be more of a designated pass rusher as a pro. McDonald totaled 36 tackles, 11.5 sacks, five forced fumbles and three passes batted in 2021. He recorded 10.5 sacks and 33 tackles in 2020 after recording six sacks in 2019.

4/24/23: White put up 54 tackles and 7.5 sacks in 2022. There are some projections of White going in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, but he is more of a second-day prospect, per team sources.

7/6/22: White made it onto NFL teams’ preseason watch list mainly from his 2019 season at Old Dominion, when he collected 19 tackles for a loss, 62 total tackles, 3.5 sacks, one forced fumble, an interception and a pass batted. Old Dominion did not play football in 2020, and while White transfered to Georgia Tech for 2021, he missed the majority of the year with an injury.

4/24/23: Ojulari recorded 58 tackles, one forced fumble and 5.5 sacks in 2022. He is a good pursuit player with speed and athleticism, but he has problems getting off blocks. Ojulari declared for the 2023 NFL Draft, but he probably should have returned for his senior year.

7/7/22: The NFL advance scouts expected Ali Gaye to be the top edge defender for LSU in 2021, but Gaye ended up getting hurt, leaving the role to Ojulari, who put together an excellent season. On the year, Ojulari collected seven sacks and 54 tackles. In his impressive freshman season, he recorded four sacks, one forced fumble and 16 tackles. Ojulari could be a good fit in the NFL as a 3-4 outside linebacker.

4/24/23: Team sources say they were impressed with Anudike-Uzomah. In 2022, he collected 8.5 sacks, 46 tackles, a pass batted and two forced fumbles. Some sources who like Anudike-Uzomah feel he could be a quality pick on Day 2 of the 2023 NFL Draft.

7/7/22: Anudike broke out as a sophomore for the Wildcats in 2021, ripping off 11 sacks, six forced fumbles and 52 tackles. It was only his first season of significant playing time, and he could improve as he gains experience. Anudike-Uzomah might fit best in the NFL as a 3-4 outside linebacker.

4/24/23: Carter had a lot of scouting eyes on him for the 2022 season, but his production declined. He recorded 37 tackles, three sacks and two passes defended on the year. Carter had a solid week at the Senior Bowl to help solidify his status as a second-day prospect for the 2023 NFL Draft.

7/7/22: Carter was a beast for the Black Knights in 2021, ripping off 15.5 sacks in a stellar season. He also racked up 44 tackles, four forced fumbles, an interception and two passes batted. Carter is a long, tall defender, and he received a favorable rating from the NFL advance scouts.

4/24/23: In 2022, Young notched 37 tackles and seven sacks. He is a dangerous edge rusher with speed and athleticism. If Young weren’t undersized, he would be ranked higher.

7/7/22: Young had a solid 2021 season for the Volunteers with 5.5 sacks, 46 tackles and an interception. He has quality size and a skill set to develop. Young could easily be better in 2022 thanks to having a year of starting experience under his belt.

4/24/23: Gaye picked up 36 tackles, two forced fumbles, one pass batted and 2.5 sacks in 2022. He had a mixed week at the Senior Bowl, where he flashed ability but was inconsistent.

7/6/22: Gaye has never put together a big season of production, but he has an excellent skill set and could break out in 2022. In 2020, he recorded 32 tackles with two sacks, a forced fumble and an interception. Some of the NFL advance scouts had a high preseason projection on Gaye for 2021, but he only played in four games because of injury, totaling 19 tackles and 2.5 sacks. Gaye has a lot of upside.

4/24/23: Henry recorded 51 tackles, 3.5 sacks, six passes defended and a forced fumble in 2022. He was a solid defender for Clemson, playing better than the numbers illustrate.

7/6/22: Henry flashed some ability as a junior with 4.5 sacks, a forced fumble and 22 tackles. He could be poised for a big senior year because Bryan Bresee and Myles Murphy should command attention and leave Henry facing consistent one-on-ones. Henry could rise as a senior.

4/24/23: Hampton played well for Appalachian State in 2022, recording 39 tackles, seven sacks and three forced fumbles. He could be a sleeper mid-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

7/7/22: Hampton had a big 2021 season for the Mountaineers, ripping off 11 sacks and 68 tackles. He flashed pass-rush ability in 2020, with three sacks, and 2019, with a half sack, while totaling 66 tackles and three forced fumbles over that time. For the NFL, Hampton could stand to get stronger and add weight to his frame to help him get off blocks.

4/24/23: In 2022, Baldonado totaled 24 tackles, three passes batted and two sacks. He didn’t play in the final few games of the year. Baldonado should have returned to school, but he declared for the 2023 NFL Draft.

7/6/22: Baldonado broke out in 2021, racking up nine sacks, 41 tackles and one forced fumble. He had four sacks and 30 tackles as a freshman in 2019. Baldonado has quality size with disruptive speed.

4/24/23: In 2022, Herbig recorded 47 tackles, 11 sacks, two forced fumbles and two passes defended.

7/7/22: Herbig recorded 61 tackles with nine sacks, four passes batted and one forced fumble in 2021. He was a tough defender for the Badgers and showed upside to be a versatile defender who can rush the passer or drop into coverage.

4/24/23: In 2022, Jean-Baptiste recorded 19 tackles, four sacks and one forced fumble.

7/6/22: Jean-Baptiste has yet to produce a big season for Ohio State but he has a good enough skill set to get on NFL teams’ preseason watch list. In 2021, he collected 14 tackles and 1.5 sacks. That was the same exact production as 2019, and he had six tackles and a sack in 2020. Jean-Baptiste needs to produce more as a senior.

4/24/23: Cox played well for Florida in 2022, putting more pressure on the quarterback than his numbers – two sacks and 35 tackles – indicate. However, Cox’s draft stock was dealt a serious blow when he was kicked off the team at the end of October. Cox has serious strength with good length and plays tough on the edge. He can rough up and challenge offensive tackles. If Cox were a little faster and more athletic, he would be a early-rounder – if his character were not a concern.

7/7/22: Cox recorded 41 tackles, 8.5 sacks and four passes batted in 2021. Almost half of his sacks came versus Florida State, but Cox ended the year with 7.5 sacks over the final four games. Cox recorded 41 tackles, four sacks and two passes broken up in 2020, but he played better than the numbers indicate.

While Cox has improved from 2020, he was wise to go back to Florida for his junior year and work on his pass-rushing moves before heading to the NFL. He plays hard and shows the ability to power rush with heavy hands.

4/24/23: Horton totaled 48 tackles, 10 sacks and four pass breakups in 2022. Team sources say they have Horton graded on Day 3 of the 2023 NFL Draft.

7/7/22: Horton is a thick outside linebacker who can set the edge. In 2021, he had 51 tackles and four sacks. Horton needs to show more pass-coverage ability as a senior.

4/24/23: Fehoko collected 69 tackles, nine sacks, two forced fumbles and a pass batted in 2022.

7/6/22: Fehoko put together an impressive 2021 season for the Spartans, totaling 37 tackles, seven sacks and three forced fumbles. In 2020. he had six sacks and 36 tackles. Fehoko also has totaled 11 passes batted over his collegiate career. If Fehoko builds on his 2021 performance, he could rise.

4/24/23: In 2022, Enechukwu totaled 37 tackles, 4.5 sacks and one forced fumble.

7/6/22: Enechukwu is a little undersized, but he flashed some ability to harass the quarterback and pursue to the ball in 2021. He totaled 49 tackles and 5.5 sacks on the year. Enechukwu will need to produce more to rise.

4/24/23: Plant recorded 55 tackles, seven sacks and three forced fumbles in 2022.

7/7/22: Plant notched 3.5 sacks in each of the past two seasons to go along with 76 tackles over that time. He has good size to him and needs to produce a big season to grade out as draft-able.

4/24/23: In 2022, Land totaled 22 tackles, seven sacks and one forced fumble. Land did well at the Senior Bowl, showing speed off the edge, but he has to get stronger and needs development for the NFL.

7/6/22: Land was a beast in 2021, leading the FCS with 19 sacks and 25.5 tackles for a loss. Land is a serious pass rusher, but he needs to add weight to be an edge defender in the NFL.

4/24/23: In 2022, Jackson recorded 41 tackles, six sacks and three passes defended.

7/6/22: Jackson had a solid junior year for the Cougars in 2021, totaling 46 tackles, five sacks, an interception and two passes defended. If he builds on that performance, he could rise.

4/24/23: Amaewhule recorded 23 tackles, two sacks and a pass batted during 2022.

7/7/22: Amaewhule showed some pass-rush potential in 2021, recording 38 tackles, 5.5 sacks, five passes batted and two forced fumbles. He also played well in 2020 with seven sacks, eight passes batted and one forced fumble. Amaewhule would be rated higher if he weren’t very undersized for an NFL defensive end.

4/24/23: Mathis totaled 48 tackles and 3.5 sacks in 2022. He did not impress in the outings against Northwestern and Oklahoma.

7/6/22: Mathis has been a decent contributor over the past three seasons for TCU ,recording tackle totals of 40, 46 and 45. His best season came in 2020, when he notched nine sacks and a forced fumble. He dipped to four sacks in 2021, and rebounding in 2022 is necessary for him to rise.

4/24/23: Friday recorded just three tackles in 2022. After playing three games in September, he missed nearly two months, coming back on Nov. 12. He then missed the final weeks of the season.

7/7/22: Friday has yet to produce a big season for the Buckeyes, but he has shown enough ability to make it onto NFL teams’ preseason watch list. Friday has quality size, but he needs to produce as a senior in order to get drafted.

4/24/23: McGuire recorded 39 tackles, seven sacks and two forced fumbles in 2022.

7/6/22: McGuire had a respectable season for the Tigers in 2021, recording 55 tackles, six sacks and a forced fumble. McGuire needs to build on that performance as a senior.