5 premier offensive linemen the Carolina Panthers should target in 2022
By Dean Jones
Evan Neal – OT
- 2022 NFL Draft prospect (Alabama)
Losing 12 of their final 14 games was not ideal, obviously. But it has put the Carolina Panthers in a good spot to potentially take a difference-maker in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Carolina cemented the No. 6 overall selection – which is two spots higher than their 2021 standing – and that means someone like Evan Neal might come into the equation as a result. Alabama‘s left tackle is a commanding presence on the edge and is sure to generate a substantial amount of interest for protection-needy teams during the evaluation process.
Neal has athleticism that is hard to fathom for a man his size. His power is exceptional and matched by footwork that allows him to stay in front of any oncoming pass-rushers with ease.
It would be a huge surprise if Neal’s name wasn’t one of the first called. The Panthers don’t have much in the way of draft capital to move up, so if the lineman is atop their draft board, they’ll need to get lucky and hope he falls in a similar fashion to Penei Sewell last year.
Neal could on the Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Jets, and New York Giants, who all sit ahead of the Panthers. So it would be wise for those in power to put a contingency plan in place in case he doesn’t make it to No. 6.
If by some miracle Neal falls into Carolina’s laps, it’s a no-brainer and might give the organization a franchise blindside protector for the first time since Jordan Gross retired.