Todd McShay raves about Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal ahead of 2022 NFL Draft

Heading into NFL Draft season and there seems to be a clear top guy at the offensive tackle position. Evan Neal of the Alabama Crimson Tide will be a prospect that teams at the top of the draft will be hoping to get their hands on.

ESPN analyst Todd McShay released a mock draft on Tuesday, with Neal going No. 3 overall to the Jacksonville Jaguars. He had nothing but good things to say about the offensive tackle, raving over him on Wednesday.

“The [Jacksonville Jaguars] need to protect their investment in Trevor Lawrence, so I went with the offensive tackle, Evan Neal, from Alabama,” McShay said. “He’s the best offensive lineman in this class for a reason.

“He is massive, 370-pounds, but you don’t see many guys likes that can move and mirror, and slide in pass protection and get out as a second-level run blocker.  He moves so well.  He’s tough to get around.  I think he’d be a perfect with the Jaguars.  With Travis Etienne coming back healthy next year and Lawrence at the quarterback spot, they need to do better upfront.”

Outside of the quarterback position, left tackle can be the most important position to have stability at for a rebuilding program. With Lawrence already locked in, Neal would be an excellent addition to the Jaguars’ setup.

Will Anderson talks about facing Evan Neal

Linebacker Will Anderson and offensive tackle Evan Neal are two of those premier talents. 

Anderson took to the podium with no shortage of things to say about his teammate whom he gets to see on the field each practice.

“That is a 20 year old, myself, going against an NFL tackle every day in practice,” Anderson said of Neal with a huge grin. “He is strong, he’s a big man, he takes up a lot of space. He has a nice first step. He gets from point A to point B very fast. He’s great at run blocking. And that is definitely iron sharpens iron every day.”

Another product Alabama has plucked out of Florida, the 6-foot-7, 360-pound tackle was a five-star recruit out of IMG Academy and the nation’s top offensive line prospect. He began starting at guard as a freshman, and he has been critical to Alabama’s offensive success since.

“I think he’s the best tackle in college football,” Anderson said.

Neal has been widely cited as the top offensive line prospect for this year’s NFL Draft. In 350 pass attempts this season, he has allowed just 1.5 sacks and 5.5 pressures, per the Alabama website. He leads the Crimson Tide with 20 knockdown blocks.