Evan Neal OT Alabama | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Evan Neal OT Alabama
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| SUB-POSITION: Multi-role OL | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 01/16/2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 5.37 seconds (28%*) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 24.1 DOB: 09/19/2000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| NFL Combine & Pro-Day Results | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SUB-POSITION: Multi-role OL | |
| Last Updated: 01/16/2022 | |
| Draft Year: 2022 | |
| 40 time: 5.37 seconds (28%*) | |
| Age: 24.1 DOB: 09/19/2000 | |
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| NFL Combine & Pro-Day Results |
| Overall Rating: | 95.0 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
| Defense Rating: |
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77% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Pass Blocking: |
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89% |
| Run Blocking: |
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92% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
1st - Top 5
Overall Rank:
#1
Position rank:
#1
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| College Games: 40 College Snaps: 2585 | ||
ESPN RATING: 91/100
College Combine Results
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OVR Rank:
#2
Pos Rank:
#2
State Rank:
#2
College Combine Results
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247 RATING: 98/100
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RIVALS RATING: 6.1 (100%)
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Drafted: ROUND: 1 - Pick Number: 7 (NYG)
Draft Profile: Bio
Evan Neal was widely considered an elite offensive tackle prospect and one of the best players regardless of position in the nation. He was rated as a five-star offensive tackle by all major recruiting outlets and one of the top players in the state of Florida. After a stellar high school career where he was the anchor of the offensive line at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. he was selected to play in the Under Armour All-America Game. Neal as a result was heavily recruited and ultimately opted to play for Alabama.As a freshman at Alabama, Neal started all 13 games a left guard and didn't give up a single sack while playing on 723 snaps. He was selected as a Freshman All-American by 247Sports and the FWAA while also being added to ESPN.com's Freshman All-America team.
As a sophomore he moved to right tackle where he played on 789 snaps and surrendered just 2 sacks while giving up 4 holding penalties.
Neal was moved back to left tackle in 2021 where he played a ridiculous 1073 snaps while starting 16 games and gave up 2 sacks with just one holding penalty. As a result of his continued dominance on the Alabama line he was selected as one of Alabama’s permanent team captains, he was a consensus first-team All-American by the AFCA, FWAA, The Sporting News, and Walter Camp. Neal also picked up first-team honors from CBS Sports, ESPN.com, and USA Today.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- King-sized tackle with the height and size that cannot be taught. Raw power and natural strength to overwhelm defenders in tight quarters.
- Amazingly powerful athlete: “At his size, he is the most impressive lower body power athlete we have ever seen,” Alabama director of sports science Matt Rhea said. “His jumping power is in the top 1 percent we have ever measured.”
- During the Tide’s national title run, Neal’s body fat was 22 percent, on par with what most offensive linemen who are some 40 pounds smaller usually measure at the NFL Scouting Combine.
- Topped Bruce Feldman's freaks list - This off-season, at 6-7, 350 pounds, he clocked 18.5 MPH on the GPS, routinely hits box jumps at 48 inches. Neal has bench pressed 475 pounds, squatted 650
- Very versatile has played both left and right tackle at an elite level
- A total dominator in the run game - the best run blocker in the nation
- Awareness is above-average for his limited experience. Sells trap block and can turn to seal. Fluid gets to and adjusts at the second level
- Foot speed and quickness are good, but not elite.
- Stays balanced and doesn't overextend in pass protection. Stays disciplined with good bend and leverage.
- Best on the left, where he could become a dominating even elite pro
- Explosive out of his stance and surprising agility and lateral movement considering his vast bulk
- Easily the most athletic offensive lineman in the 2022 NFL Draft with huge upside
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Needs to work on his technique in pass protection, using more consistent leverage and continuing to move his feet.
- Height can be a detriment in short-yardage, defender can get under his pads to hold the line.
- Stops his feet after initial contact, relying on length but allowing the defender to get the corner or spin inside.
- Can be susceptible to speed rushers. Doesn't have elite quickness off the snap and doesn't possess the top-level acceleration to corral defenders once they cross his face.
- Brilliant in the running game just needs to improve his hand technique as a pass blocker. Relies too much on athletic talent - something he will be less able to do at the next level
- His movement skills are only average for the most part and has had times when appears a little heavy footed
- Struggles to adjust if he loses the first move and can be slow in reacting with a counter
- Has had problems with his weight was 390 lbs while playing for IMG academy - will need to work had to keep his weight down
- Neal has an occasional problem lunging, but his skill set makes him an easy day one starter in the NFL
Scouting Report: Summary
Neal is the consensus #1 tackle in the 2022 NFL Draft and is viewed as an almost can't miss prospect by most scouts.He is an amazing specimen at the left tackle and has pretty much everything you can ask for in a player, however, he isn't perfect and has some issues - most notably is he is undeveloped as a pass protector and can be beaten by super fast edge rushers. Despite this, we are very high on Neal and consider him an elite talent we can see similarities to the Niners Tent Williams.
A top-three pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Evan Neal percentiles vs other Offensive Tackles (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate Evan Neal (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
3.9
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
1.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.