The offseason is in full swing as each franchise prepares to make roster adjustments. The NFL Draft Combine is set to begin soon, but one of the top prospects won't be attending. Alabama Crimson Tide star Evan Neal has come up with a decision on how he wants to approach entering the league.
According to Ian Rapoport, Evan Neal has decided to opt-out of the NFL Draft Combine. Instead, the former Alabama star “will wait until his Pro Day on March 30 to work out.” This is a decision that makes sense considering Neal is being viewed as a consensus top-five pick.
#Bama OL Evan Neal, a potential top overall pick for the NFL Draft, will wait until his Pro Day on March 30 to work out, source says. He’ll participate in interviews at the NFL Scouting Combine, but after a long season, he’ll take a few extra weeks to prepare.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 28, 2022
This is a trend we've been seeing more of lately, as the top prospects entering the NFL Draft don't necessarily need to prove themselves. What's the point of going to the Combine if you're already projected to be selected within the top five? The contract difference isn't that much different and Neal avoids the risk of losing draft capital in the combine. Instead, Alabama's star left tackle will focus on his Pro Day late in March.
Even though he's skipping the NFL Draft Combine, it wouldn't be shocking to see Evan Neal still go first overall. The Jacksonville Jaguars need to create a better offensive line and Neal has the ability to deliver. He proved to be a consistent left tackle during his time at Alabama, which bodes well for his career outlook.
Neal is a beast in the making and going to the Combine doesn't necessarily help him. This is a smart move that any potential top pick should make. Look for Alabama to have numerous players be selected in the first two rounds of the NFL Draft, as the Crimson Tide has become a football player factory for the league.
Follow Us
Subscribe