Evan Neal joins NFL Network to discuss first NFL training camp
Evan Neal was selected with the seventh overall pick in this year’s draft in order to help shore up the offensive line.
Now participating in his first NFL training camp, Neal is happy to be back out on the football field preparing for the season.
“It just feels good,” the rookie tackle told NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo and Brian Baldinger. “Everyone is out here competing man, getting better, just enjoying playing ball. This is what it’s all about.”
Neal enjoyed a strong collegiate career at Alabama. As a freshman, he started 13 games and allowed just one sack and three hits on 423 pass block snaps, earning him a 71.2 overall grade from PFF. It only went up from there for Neal, who earned a dominant 83.7 in 2020 after starting 12 games and surrendering two sacks, one hit and six hurries.
The offensive lineman was at his best last season. Starting 15 games at left tackle, Neal gave up two sacks, five hits and eight hurries on 650 pass block snaps. He earned an elite 85.8 overall PFF grade, including 80.4 run block and 83.6 pass block grades, and was named both First-Team All-SEC and a Consensus All-American.
Neal was just one of the offensive linemen added this offseason, joining the likes of Jon Feliciano, Mark Glowinski and several others. The unit is using this time at camp to build chemistry in preparation for the season.
“I believe we’re getting closer and closer every day as we work with one another, spend some time with one another,” Neal stated. “All of those guys are great guys and great mentors. I can just pick their brains and get information from them. We’re just taking it day by day.”
Perhaps Neal’s most important responsibility will be to keep quarterback Daniel Jones from getting hit. While he’s only been around the signal-caller for a few months now, the young tackle is impressed with what he’s seen from Jones.
“From my perspective of Daniel, for me being around him, he commands the huddle,” the 21-year-old lineman said. “He’s the general of the offense. I’m confident in him, and everybody else is. I’m just excited to get better with him and just protect for him…”
