The Jacksonville Jaguars are widely expected to take Michigan edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson with the No. 1 overall pick in next month’s NFL Draft after they didn’t sign one to address their needs in free agency. However, Jacksonville is still doing its due diligence like any team with the first overall pick should.
Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal told reporters after his pro day workout that he has a meeting scheduled with the Jaguars along with the New York Giants and Jets.
Evan Neal, a projected top five pick, said he has meetings scheduled with the Jaguars, Giants and Jets. Just wrapped up his pro day at Alabama.
— Alex Scarborough (@AlexS_ESPN) March 30, 2022
Neal is regarded as the top offensive lineman in this year’s draft because of his athleticism and his ability to play anywhere along the line. He started at left guard in 2019, moved to right tackle in 2020, and then wound up as the team’s left tackle in his final season with the Crimson Tide.
He was also very effective at each position only allowing 36 quarterback pressures and five sacks in 1,496 pass-blocking snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. In 2021, Neal only surrendered 15 pressures and two sacks while also being named a team captain and finished as a semi-finalist for the Outland Trophy and the Lombardi Award.
It would be a surprise to see Jacksonville take Neal after it franchise-tagged Cam Robinson and signed guard Brandon Scherff in free agency, but it wouldn’t be an awful pick because of the Jaguars’ need for more quality offensive lineman.
