As of now, it doesn't seem like the Jacksonville Jaguars need a corner, but the NFL can change a team's positional landscape in a couple of awkward falls.
With Travis Hunter still not particularly and publicly entrenched anywhere, the assumption from the current depth chart is that he'll start at cornerback with Montaric Brown and Jourdan Lewis, who will man the nickel. However, wouldn't it be nice if the Jags could secure a starting corner with one of three third-round picks and free Hunter up to do whatever he needs to do?
I think they can in the form of Arkansas cornerback Julian Neal. I've tried my best to make this draft series not my own draft crushes in lieu of the best fits for the Jags, but Neal is both. The long, toolsy corner has shone in the pre-draft process, and he's expected to go right where the Jags will sit in Round 3.
So why would Neal be a good fit for Jacksonville? Let's dive in.
Julian Neal NFL Draft Profile and Combine Measurements
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 203 pounds
Arm Length: 32.8"
Hand Span: 9.5"
40-Yard Dash: 4.49 seconds
10-Yard Split: 1.59 seconds
Vertical Jump: 40.0"
Broad Jump: 11'2"
3-Cone Drill: 7.13 seconds
Bench Press: 16 reps
First of all, I love the competitive nature of a guy who worked out in every drill at the combine. Julian Neal even bench-pressed as a corner.
Secondarily, Neal showcased special traits in these workouts. At his size, his 40-yard dash and 10-yard split were blazing. Excellent jumps showcase lower-body explosion. The most important measurement, though, was Neal's 32.8" arms. The dude has a longer wingspan than Will Campbell.
Being long and fast at cornerback can erase a lot of sins. It's what allows guys to be sticky in man-to-man situations and also have disruptive length in zone concepts. Neal's extensive college experience doesn't hurt, either.
Julian Neal NFL Draft Tape Evaluation: Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths:Â Â Marriage of speed and length, smothering man-to-man coverage, wrap-up, and desire to contribute in the run game
Weaknesses:Â Â Fluidity when changing direction and decision-making in zone coverage
Think of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. You probably envision a quick, fluid, tall player with long limbs that disrupt the catch point. That's Julian Neal on tape.
He deflected 10 passes on a terrible Arkansas defense that fired its defensive-minded coach halfway through the year. That's also why he just didn't get thrown at much. When winning off the line of scrimmage in press coverage, Neal just smothers opposing wide receivers and doesn't allow passing lanes.
Speaking on competitive spirit, there's also a willingness and nastiness to play the run, and he's a plus tackler for the position.
Now, it is a concern in the NFL, with teams trending toward zone coverage, that his deep zone coverage is definitely his weakest coverage on tape. Yet, the traits could absolutely translate to that style. Think of Riq Woolen's fit with the Seahawks and, now, Eagles. Those are two physical zone teams.
Right at the line of scrimmage is also where the most improvement can be made in Neal's game. He's not the most fluid flipping his hips in a backpedal, and I actually wish he were more physical right off the line.
His respect and pride for not getting penalized is likely the root cause. In 2025, he drew only four penalties in 386 coverage snaps, per Pro Football Focus, and a couple of the ones I saw on tape were not fair calls.
Julian Neal's Fit with the Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars ran the fifth-highest rate of zone coverage (78.6 percent) last year, so I don't think this marriage is natural. Neal, on paper, seems like a physical, press corner.
I just think his traits translate, like Woolen's, to being a dominant force in either scheme. At this stage, Neal's off-the-line physicality in man is as much a concern as his decision-making and instincts in zone, but this is a player who improved significantly in each of his final three years and appears very coachable.
When I think about the Jaguars' secondary, they just lack size. Christian Braswell is 5'11". Lewis is 5'10". Hunter is a slender 6'0" tall. Nico Collins, for instance, posted 240 receiving yards in two starts against Jacksonville last year. Courtland Sutton had 86 yards and a touchdown against this group. Especially with Greg Newsome gone, they need a bigger, longer option for big-bodied receivers like that.
From a value perspective, he's an outstanding pick at either No. 81 or No. 88.