2022 NFL Mock Draft: Panthers, Steelers, Lions All Take QBs In Round 1
By Evan Bachman
5. New York Giants: Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
The Giants offensive line was pretty poor last season, aside from Andrew Thomas. They can’t fix the whole offensive line with just one draft pick, however drafting Evan Neal would be an excellent addition for them in this 2022 NFL mock draft.
There also wouldn’t be any questions about Neal’s fit on the Giants as while Neal played left tackle for the Crimson Tide last season he played the 2020 season on the right side. He could start immediately at right tackle, with Thomas obviously staying on the left side.
There’s a lot to like about Evan Neal as he has massive size at 6-foot-7, 350 pounds, and possesses outstanding athletic ability and movement skills. Just check out this video of him doing a box jump, there simply aren’t many guys of his size that are capable of doing that.
A good tackle can be very valuable to an offense and Neal certainly has the makings of someone who can step in and be a consistent player for a long time. On top of that, he also has a very high ceiling. I certainly wouldn’t be surprised if five years from now he’s one of the best tackles in the league.
Neal has been very good as both a run blocker and a pass protector this season for a Crimson Tide offense that averaged nearly 40 points per game and he’s really solidified himself as a top five pick.