Evan Neal is widely believed to be the premier offensive tackle in the 2022 NFL Draft, but would the Alabama product fit the New York Giants?
The NFL Draft is just a little over two weeks away and the New York Giants currently hold the fifth and seventh overall pick, which could put Joe Schoen in position to nab a blue-chip prospect and multiple immediate starters.
There have been many mock drafts with Evan Neal linked to the Giants at pick five.
Neal is an offensive tackle and played football at the University of Alabama. He is 6’1 and 351 lbs, and was among the SEC’s most dominant offensive linemen.
Here are some pros and cons to the New York Giants drafting Evan Neal
Offensive Tackle Pros:
Neal is extremely explosive and smooth out of his stance. He shows excellent mobility and pad level as a run-blocker. Neal syncs his hands and feet together really well. B
ruce Feldman’s annual “Freaks List” has Neal as the most physically gifted player in the nation.
"“You can put me anywhere other than center and I’ll be able to come in and make an impact,” Neal told reporters during his Alabama Pro Day. “I do see myself as a left or right tackle. But wherever a team needs me, I feel like I can come in and make an impact.”"
My Top 10 Offensive Tackles in the 2022 NFL Draft Thread (1/11)
— MRCROCKPOT (@mrcrockpot) April 9, 2022
#1 Evan Neal, Alabama
Draft Range: Top 10
Neal has a rare blend of size, athletic ability, balance & play strength, has very good foot quickness & overwhelms defenders with his size and agility in the run game pic.twitter.com/CfmTC59nzf
Offensive Tackle Cons:
Neal needs to work on his technique in pass protection, using more leverage, and continuing to move his feet.
He will need to work on how to keep his weight down since he’s had struggles with it in the past. Neal sometimes has a problem lunging, but his skill overweighs that weakness.
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Why Neal would be a great fit for New York?
Evan Neal would be a great fit for the New York Giants because it’s one of the team’s biggest needs to help quarterback Daniel Jones and running back Saquon Barkley.
Neal would fit in at right tackle well alongside left tackle Andrew Thomas.
Putting Neal at right tackle would work well because he is the only one of the top three tackles in the class with experience on the right side, and if he slides to five, the Giants should have no hesitation on who to pick.