The New York Giants selected Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal with he seventh overall pick in this year’s NFL draft. It’s not one of the more sexy picks in the draft but it just might be one of the best.
Former NFL offensive lineman turned analyst Brian Baldinger rated Neal one of his 10 best picks in the draft. Not only can Neal secure against the pass with power and nastiness, he can pancake opponents on running plays.
Baldinger says once Neal dips to run block, it’s a done deal for the defense.
“Once he does, he just takes everyone for a ride. He’s just his own moving van company. Just put the piano on his back and let him take it right out of the house,” Baldinger said. “He just moves people.”
“The Giants got a good one. Line him up at right tackle for a long time.”
Neal will initially start at right tackle since another former first-round pick, Andrew Thomas, is cemented in in the left side, but that could change over time.
“Starting off we’ll be putting him at right tackle,” general manager Joe Schoen said on draft night. “Obviously, we really like his versatility, 40 career starts in three different spots in the SEC, only missed one game in his career with COVID. So both 21 years old, young players, both still have upside to develop.”
Schoen then clarified his projection for Neal in deference to head coach Brian Daboll, who was standing beside him.
“I’m not saying starting. Yeah, we are going to — we are going to work him at right tackle, yes, knowing he has versatility to play left or play guard, which was attractive to us,” he said.
Either way, Neal is poised to have a significant impact out of the gate.
