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2022 NFL Mock Draft: Matt Corral becomes the future in Atlanta

By Christopher Thomas

Oct 9, 2021; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Matt Corral (2) during warmups prior to the game against Arkansas Razorbacks at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2021; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Matt Corral (2) during warmups prior to the game against Arkansas Razorbacks at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /
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2022 NFL Draft, Evan Neal, 2022 NFL Mock Draft. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images) 2022 NFL Mock Draft
2022 NFL Draft, Evan Neal, 2022 NFL Mock Draft. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images) 2022 NFL Mock Draft /

2. Detroit Lions: Evan Neal, Offensive Tackle, Alabama

Last year the Detroit Lions took Penei Sewell in the first round despite having a great left tackle in Taylor Decker. It created a lot of questions for where he would play because Sewell played left tackle at Oregon and struggled when he trained to potentially play right tackle before the draft. Decker has not played a snap this season yet because of a finger injury. But the plan is for Decker to resume playing left tackle and Sewell to move over to the right side once he returns.

If Detriot is not in a position to take Kayvon Thibodeaux they should consider doubling down at the tackle position and take Alabama tackle Evan Neal with their first-round pick. Neal has by far been the best offensive tackle in college football this year and has a case to be the best offensive player overall. If Neal continues to play this way he could be considered a generational tackle prospect.

It would be against everything that Detriot has built their culture around to bypass Neal with the second overall pick. New general manager Brad Holmes is an outstanding evaluator of talent who believes in taking the best player available. While new head coach Dan Campbell believes a team’s strength comes from the play in the trenches. Campbell’s offense is centered around a strong running game which would increase production if Neal was added to their elite offensive line.

One trait about Neal that Sewell didn’t possess was the versatility to play all over the offensive line. Neal began his college career at left guard. Then he replaced 2020 first-round pick Jedrick Wills at right tackle. This season is the first time that Neal is starting at left tackle for Alabama now that the Raiders took Alex Leatherwood in the first round of this past draft.

Drafting Neal with the second overall pick could clear the log jam at the left tackle position. Neal has shown that he is extremely capable of playing left tackle. However, he was outstanding at right tackle last year. So the Lions would have two options with their offensive line if they took Neal. They could play Neal at right guard and have an elite offensive line that features four first-round picks including Decker, Sewell, and Frank Ragnow. The other and more likely possibility is that the Lions could play Penei Sewell at left tackle, play Evan Neal at right tackle, and trade Taylor Decker.

Evan Neal is the same caliber of prospect as Sewell they are both potentially perennial Pro Bowlers and All-Pros. While Decker an extremely solid left tackle that could be a Pro Bowler if he played elsewhere. However, Decker has not made a Pro Bowl five seasons. He would be able to land the Lions some extremely valuable draft capital. The left tackle position is extremely important and a talent like Decker isn’t available frequently. Teams like the Carolina Panthers, Pittsburgh Steelers, Indianapolis Colts, and  Washington Football Team would be willing to trade a pick to add Decker to their struggling offensive lines.

By taking Evan Neal in the first round the Lions could give themselves an upgrade at left tackle, right tackle, and acquire a first-round pick in the process.

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