6 prospects the Panthers should monitor in college football playoffs

Evan Neal – OT (Alabama)

A complete capitulation following the Carolina Panthers’ impressive 3-0 start has them staring another high-end draft pick in the face this spring. Of course, this wasn’t what anybody anticipated in Year 2 of Matt Rhule’s tenure, but it does represent an opportunity to trade down for additional capital or select an elite player in a position of need.

Much will depend on how the board plays out in the early stages, obviously. But if someone like Evan Neal falls into Carolina’s laps, they might pull the trigger and solve what’s been a revolving door at left tackle even since Jordan Gross hung up his cleats.

Neal is an absolute monster in terms of size and overall dominance. The lineman’s athleticism is off the charts for someone with such an imposing physical frame and his production for Alabama in 2021 has been of an exceptionally high standard.

This was no more evident than in the SEC Championship Game, where Neal was simply flawless. Something that only boosts his stock further ahead of the college football playoffs.

The blindside protector is projected to be a top-five selection right now. Carolina has a shot at earning this unwanted distinction with defeats at the New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers over their final two games.

This would put Neal in play. Although it’s also worth remembering that the Panthers don’t have another pick in the top-100 at the present time.