Could The Jacksonville Jaguars Select Evan Neal First Overall?

Could the Jacksonville Jaguars actually pass on both edge rushers at the top and select Alabama tackle Evan Neal?

The Jacksonville Jaguars will face a tough offseason in 2022. After firing Urban Meyer, the search will begin for a head coach, yet Trent Baalke remains the general manager. Free agency and the 2022 NFL Draft should place an emphasis on protecting Trevor Lawrence and adding weapons in the passing game for him.

The Jaguars currently have the first overall pick, and most believe (if the mock drafts are any indicator) that they’ll select one of the two edge rushers, either Oregon’s Kayvon Thibodeaux or Michigan’s Aidan Hutchinson. Jacksonville does place high importance on the defensive line, as recent first round selections on Josh Allen, Taven Bryan, and K’Lavon Chaisson show. Thibodeaux or Hutchinson would probably slide ahead of Chaisson to play opposite Allen.

However, what if the Jaguars call an audible with their selection and select Alabama’s Evan Neal?

It’s not something that should be looked at as farfetched. Cam Robinson is set to hit free agency this year, and Lawrence has taken a beating this season. Giving him the best opportunity to succeed means protecting him and making the pocket as clean as possible.

Neal has the athleticism and footwork to mirror rushers, and he’d be a fantastic asset in the run game to open holes up for James Robinson when he returns in 2022. He’s got elite size and has a really high ceiling. In fact, it’s not crazy to believe he’s up there with the top prospects in the class, as he could be considered a blue chip player.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have a good defensive line in place, and betting on Chaisson to make a jump in year three makes sense. What needs the biggest improvement is the offense, so why not kick that off by selecting an elite offensive tackle prospect in the 2022 NFL Draft? Don’t rule it out as we move closer and closer to draft time.