2023 NFL Draft: The Most Intriguing Prospect on Each Top 25 Team in the Preseason AP Poll

The Alabama Crimson Tide fell short of their ultimate goal last season, losing to the conference-rival Georgia Bulldogs in the National Championship Game. The team got to that point on the back of two players, Bryce Young and Will Anderson Jr.

The 2021 Heisman-Trophy winner, Bryce Young, kept the team in games week-in and week-out. That’s not usually something that Alabama signal-callers have to do, but Young did not falter under the pressure. He sparked multiple comeback victories and diced up the legendary Georgia Bulldogs’ defense in the SEC title game. While Young is not the ideal size for an NFL quarterback, he’s got more than enough talent to succeed anyway. We have seen shorter quarterbacks like Russell Wilson and Kyler Murray find success in the league, and as you could probably guess, those are the two names that often come up when talking about Bryce Young. Those two are exemplary human beings, and Young is no different. He will be looking to be the first-ever No. 1 overall pick to come from Alabama.

But hold your horses, because he’s going to have stiff competition. Will Anderson Jr. arguably was the most impressive player in the entire country in 2021. Anderson Jr. arrived to Alabama as a five-star pass rusher, and he’s more than lived up to that billing. As a true freshman in 2020, Anderson recorded seven sacks and double-digit tackles for loss. In 2021, he increased those numbers to 17.5 sacks and 31 tackles for loss… in only 15 games! He also recorded 101 tackles, which is unheard of by someone who spends a majority of the time rushing the passer. It sounds hyperbolic, but when you combine his production with his physical attributes, there’s a real argument to be made that Will Anderson Jr. is the best pass-rushing prospect of all time. After finishing fifth in Heisman voting, Anderson Jr. would have gone No. 1 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft if he was eligible. I cannot wait to see who ends up going first off of the board, but the leader in the clubhouse might be Anderson Jr. right now.

2023 NFL Draft: The Most Intriguing Draft-Eligible Player for Each Top 25 Team in the AP Poll

There you have it! The top prospect from each top 25 team has been highlighted, with a few schools have too many intriguing prospects to only name one. There is a number of other guys from programs outside of the rankings that will be in contention for high draft pick status, but a good chunk of the prospects featured in this article will find their way into the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. We are only one week away from “real” football being played. I, for one, cannot wait! Who is your favorite player in the nation?