2022 Scouting Report: Alabama OT Evan Neal

Evan Neal is widely considered an elite offensive tackle prospect. He’s considered one of the best players – regardless of position – in the nation.

Neal was moved back to left tackle in 2021 where he played 1,073 snaps while starting 16 games and gave up two sacks with just one holding penalty.

Strengths

At 6-foot-7 and 350 pounds, Evan Neal is a mountain sized tackle with a height and size that’s unfathomable. He’s got raw power and natural strength to wash out defenders in space.

Additionally, this offseason, Neal clocked 18.5 MPH on the GPS, routinely hitting box jumps at 48 inches. Neal has also bench pressed 475 pounds, and squatted 650.

Evan Neal listed at 6’7 360 which makes this illegal in 19 states pic.twitter.com/TAV8mGSoBm

— Josh Pate (@LateKickJosh) July 12, 2021

On tape, Neal is versatile. The Alabama prospect has played both left and right tackle while also logging snaps at left guard his freshman year. He’s the best run blocker in the nation and a dominant force in the run game. However, he does not have elite foot speed. But he is fluid enough to get to the attack point. 

Evan Neal…bench escort. pic.twitter.com/G4hP6jB4Bo

— Cole Cubelic (@colecubelic) January 5, 2022

Neal is a clear cut NFL left tackle where he could become an All-Pro at that position. He’s explosive out of his stance, has surprising agility and lateral movement considering his body type. Overall, Neal is the most athletic offensive lineman in the 2022 NFL Draft with huge upside.

Weaknesses

However, Neal is not a flawless prospect. He needs to work on his technique in pass protection. He just has to be more consistent in moving his feet and staying low.

With his size, he may be a liability in short yardage situations as defenders can get underneath him to hold the line. He’ll need to use more consistent leverage and continue to move his feet.

I've been watching Evan Neal. A ton to like with size and strength. His initial quickness is good. At first I noted that you'll see him lose balance. But now I'm just seeing a trend of him being on the ground.

Will keep watching. pic.twitter.com/aI0BeWdwft

— CROCK-MAN⚡️ (@eric_crocker) December 14, 2021

Neal tends to stop his feet after the first contact, relying on his length and power. He routinely allows defenders to work the corner or spin inside.

He is susceptible against speed rushers as he cannot accelerate fast enough to stop defenders getting past him. His hand technique has to improve as a pass blocker. Many times he is reliant on his athletic talent. He leans into his blocks in both the passing and running game.

I like Evan Neal a lot, but there’s a considerable amount of spotty film. And not just in 2020 when he was a RT. He still has a tendency to get too far out over his skis and off balanced. And here he jumps Trayvon Walker, but he gets torqued and thrown out of the club. pic.twitter.com/YMiPESU1tc

— Simon Clancy (@SiClancy) January 19, 2022

Neal is the consensus #1 tackle in the 2022 NFL Draft and is viewed as an almost can’t miss prospect by most scouts.

I think Evan Neal has some balance issues, Florida got him several times by using his leverage against him with the push-pull move. If Bama didn’t get the ball out so fast I wonder if he’d still be viewed as a 1st overall type of prospect pic.twitter.com/DhFC3gnKjS

— Theo Ash (@TheoAshNFL) January 19, 2022

He is an amazing athlete along the offensive line and has the traits and skill sets OL coaches look for. However, he is not perfect. With this in mind, he can very well be trained in the offseason to polish his pass protection skills. Teams with a good OL coach will undoubtedly turn Neal into one of the best offensive tackles in the NFL.

*** This article was originally posted at PhinManiacs***

Hussam Patel is a Miami Dolphins contributor at Five Reasons Sports Network, Director of Scouting at PhinManiacs and Editor at Dolphins ATB. Follow him on Twitter at @HussamPatel