Evan Neal is one of the top offensive tackle prospects in the NFL Draft. He played a large role in Alabama’s 2020 National Championship. In 2021 Neal was named a consensus All-American and also earned first team All-SEC honors.
NFL Draft Measurables
| Height | 6’7-4/8” | Wingspan | 83” | Vertical | N/A |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 337 | 40-time | N/A | Bench | N/A |
| Hand | 10-1/8″ | Shuttle | N/A | 3-Cone | N/A |
| Arm | 34” | Broad Jump | N/A | RAS | N/A |
How We Grade Players
| Grade | Player Meaning | Grade | Player Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9.5-10 | Generational Player | 6.25-6.75 | Average Starter |
| 9-9.49 | Top of Position | 5.5-6.25 | Below-Average Starter |
| 8.5-8.99 | All-Pro Caliber | 5-5.4 | Developmental Player |
| 8-8.49 | High End Starter | 4.5-4.9 | Special Teams Player |
| 7.5-7.99 | Pro-Bowl Caliber Player | 4-4.4 | Practice Squad |
| 7-7.49 | Above Average Starter | 3-4 | Journeyman PS |
| 6.75-6.99 | Slightly Above-Average | 0-2.9 | Free Agent |
How We Grade Traits
| Grade | Trait Meaning | Grade | Trait Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9.5-10 | Nearly Perfect | 6-6.4 | Average |
| 9-9.4 | Top of Position | 5.5-5.9 | Below-Average |
| 8.5-9 | Great | 5-5.4 | Below-Average |
| 8-8.4 | Very Good | 4.5-4.9 | Poor |
| 7.5-7.9 | Good | 4-4.4 | Bad |
| 7-7.4 | Above Average | 3-4 | Very Bad |
| 6.5-6.9 | Slightly Above Average | 0-2.9 | Non-Existent |
NFL Draft Evaluation
| Trait | Grade | Trait | Grade | Trait | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 9 | Awareness | 8.25 | ||
| Movement | 7.75 | Versatility | 9 | ||
| Play Strength | 8.5 | Agility | 7 | ||
| Anchor | 8.75 | Finishing | 6.75 | ||
| Hand Placement | 9 | Second Level | 8.75 | ||
| Hand Power | 8.75 | Footwork | 8.25 | ||
| Run Blocking | 8.5 | Leg Drive | 8.25 | ||
| Pass Blocking | 8.5 | Overall (OT) | 8.33 | Overall (IOL) | 8.35 |
Strengths
Evan Neal has elite hand and arm usage to stave off defender’s moves. He has good arm length and is an elite tackle prospect in this NFL Draft class. Great recovery if he gets beat at the first meeting. Top tier use of leverage once he’s made contact. Fantastic arm and hand power. Great leg drive and elite level anchoring. Can push back defenders or set his feet. Has experience at both guard and tackle spots, and has expressed willingness to play anywhere. Plays with a high motor and high level of consistency. Low, consistent pad level. Good at locating second level defenders and making contact.
Weaknesses
Evan Neal is a top prospect in this NFL Draft class, but still has his weaknesses. He can overcommit and lunge too far on blocks, bringing himself out of the play. Not overly agile, hips will be somewhat stiff. Gets openly handsy when beat on pass protection. Inconsistent finisher on vertical sets.
Summary
Evan Neal has been in the conversation as a top pick since the start of the NFL Draft cycle. He is incredibly talented and will be a starting caliber tackle on day one. If you need, he’s willing to bump inside to guard, or flip to the other side of the line. He can play 4 out of 5 positions on the offensive line, and all at an elite level. He’s completely scheme diverse, and will fit on a team that wants to either run or pass. In a strong tackle year, he’s been consistently in competition for the number one spot. He brings a high motor, winning experience, and versatility to whichever team drafts him top 10 in the NFL draft.
Scheme Fit: Scheme Diverse
Team Fits: JAX, HOU, NYJ
Floor: Starting guard
Ceiling: Pro Bowl Tackle
Round Grade/Projection: Top-5 Pick
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