Jaguars potential 2022 draft picks to watch: Alabama vs. Cincinnati

No. 2 Draft prospect Jaguars must watch – Evan Neal, OT, Alabama.

Evan Neal is the consensus top left tackle prospect in the 2022 NFL Draft. He’s even been projected to land in Jacksonville in several mock rounds. The Florida native has the length, size, and speed to thrive in the NFL. There aren’t many negatives in his game, and he lined up at left guard, right tackle, and left guard during his collegiate career. His flexibility to play different position upfront will make him a coveted prospect on draft night. If Jacksonville doesn’t take him, the Houston Texans or the New York Jets could.

Neal will face off against Cincinnati edge rusher Myjai Sanders in the Cotton Bowl. Sanders’ quickness and explosiveness could give Neal trouble and a solid performance by the left tackle will solidify his spot as a top 5 selection in 2022.

Keep in mind that the Jags will have choices at left tackle next year. Cam Robinson is set to become a free agent and has performed well in the second half of the 2021 season. If the team’s brass believes his play can carry over into next year, they won’t mind giving him a multi-year contract.

Another option is to slap Neal with the franchise tag for the second consecutive year and pay him around $15 million but if they aren’t sure they want to hand him a long-term deal, they are better off letting him walk in free agency and drafting Neal with the top pick in the draft.