A mere two weeks ago, the thought of Alabama’s Evan Neal falling to the Carolina Panthers in the 2022 NFL draft was nothing but a pipe dream. But now, we may not even need that pipe to see it through.
Neal, who had been widely considered as the class’ top offensive lineman, only solidified his golden status with an impressive combine showing in Indianapolis. Despite not even taking the field or the weight room for a single activity, the monstrous 6-foot-7 tackle dropped some jaws by weighing in at a svelte 337 pounds.
— Duke Manyweather (@BigDuke50) March 3, 2022
That weight with that frame is particularly rare for a left tackle, and even more amazing when you factor in Neal’s overall talent and consistent success in the SEC. So, surely, someone within those first five picks wouldn’t mind having themselves such a special prospect, let alone one at a premium position.
Well, maybe those teams have shifted their thinking following a frenzied period of free agency. And that, according to Draft Wire’s Luke Easterling, could have Neal slip down to Carolina for a match made in heaven.
“Quarterback is obviously the biggest need in Carolina, but they passed on Justin Fields in the top 10 last year, so why wouldn’t they pass on Malik Willis and Kenny Pickett here?” Easterling writes in his latest three-round mock. “They need a true franchise left tackle, and if Neal falls to this spot, he’s a no-brainer pick if the Panthers aren’t enamored with any of this year’s top passers.”
With the Jacksonville Jaguars spending some big-time cash on free-agent guard Brandon Scherff and their own blindside protector in Cam Robinson, Neal—who had been routinely forecasted as the No. 1 pick—doesn’t seem as likely to go right away. That, in Easterling’s projections, started a domino effect head coach Matt Rhule and general manager Scott Fitterer are probably hoping for:
- Jacksonville Jaguars: DE Aidan Hutchinson (Michigan)
- Detroit Lions: DE Travon Walker (Georgia)
- Houston Texans: DE Kayvon Thibodeaux (Oregon)
- New York Jets: CB Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner (Cincinnati)
- New York Giants: OT Ikem Ekwonu (NC State)
If that’s the case, Carolina could even have their choice between Neal and fellow left tackle Charles Cross.
Hey, crazier things have definitely happened . . .
