JACKSONVILLE – The popular choice remains a popular choice.
That means most respected analysts continue to believe the Jaguars will seek to protect quarterback Trevor Lawrence early in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Evan Neal, an offensive tackle from the University of Alabama, has become an increasingly popular choice for analysts projecting the Jaguars' move with the No. 1 overall selection of the 2022 NFL Draft. That remained the case this week, with seven of nine analysts in the fifth jaguars.com 2022 mock draft tracker projecting Neal there.
"This one is a no-brainer," Can Mellor of Pro Football Network wrote.
A look at what other analysts wrote about Neal and the Jaguars this week:
*Chad Reuter of nfl.com: "The Jaguars could select one of the top pass rushers, but franchise quarterback Trevor Lawrence needs to be protected."
*Matt Miller of The Draft Scout: "All the word around the league is that protecting Trevor Lawrence will be the team's priority at No. 1 overall."
*Lance Zierlein of NFL Media: "Neal is big, athletic and comes with a winning pedigree. He's an immediate upgrade at either tackle spot."
Michael Renner of Pro Football Focus projected Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson to the Jaguars at No. 1.
"There's no safer pick than Hutchinson, the highest-graded defender in college football last year," Renner wrote.
Josh Edwards of CBS Sports projected Oregon edge defender Kayvon Thibodeaux No. 1.
"Thibodeaux opposite Josh Allen could give the Jaguars a fear-inspiring duo," Edwards wrote.
Here's the fifth jaguars.com 2022 mock draft tracker:
Mocker, Affiliation (Date): Player, position, school
- Chad Reuter, NFL.com (2/14): Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
- Matt Miller, The Draft Scout (2/14): Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
- Michael Renner, Pro Football Focus (2/14): Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan
- Brentley Weisman, The Draft Network (2/13): Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
- Tom Fornelli, CBS Sports (2/13): Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
- Cam Mellor, Pro Football Network (2/12): Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
- Cynthia Frelund, NFL Network (2/11): Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
- Josh Edwards, CBS Sports (2/11): Kayvon Thibodeaux, Edge, Oregon
- Lance Zierlein, NFL Media (2/8): Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
- Seth Galina, Pro Football Focus (2/7): Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
- Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports (2/7): Ikem Ekonu, OT, North Carolina State
- Joe Marino, The Draft Network (2/6): Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
- Kyle Stackpole, CBS Sports (2/5): Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
- Josh Edwards, CBS Sports (2/4): Kayvon Thibodeaux, Edge, Oregon
- Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports (2/2): Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
- Keith Sanchez, The Draft Network (1/31): Ikem Ekonu, OT, North Carolina State
- Sam Monson, Pro Football Focus (1/31): Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
- Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports (1/31): Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan
- Josh Edwards, CBS Sports (1/29): Kayvon Thibodeaux, Edge, Oregon
- Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports (1/29): Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
- Luke Easterling, USA Today Draft Wire (1/27): Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
- Bucky Brooks, NFL.com (1/25): Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
- Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports (1/24): Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan
- Bryan Perez, The Draft Network (1/24): Kayvon Thibodeaux, Edge, Oregon
- Trevor Sikkema, Pro Football Focus (1/24): Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
- Daniel Jeremiah, NFL Media Analyst (1/21): Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
- Kyle Crabbs, The Draft Network (1/20): Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan
- Josh Edwards, CBS Sports (1/20): Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
- Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports (1/20): Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
- Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN (1/19): Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan
- Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports (1/17): Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan
- Austin Gayle, Pro Football Focus (1/17): Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan
- Kyle Stackpole, CBS Sports (1/14): Kayvon Thibodeaux, Edge, Oregon
- Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News (1/14): Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan
- Josh Edwards, CBS Sports (1/13): Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
- Luke Easterling, USA Today Draft Wire (1/13): Kayvon Thibodeaux, Edge, Oregon
- Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports (1/13): Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
- Bryan Fischer, Athlon Sports (1/13): Kayvon Thibodeaux, Edge, Oregon
- Jason McIntyre, FOX Sports (1/12): Kayvon Thibodeaux, Edge, Oregon
- Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA Today (1/12): Kayvon Thibodeaux, Edge, Oregon
- Michael Renner, Pro Football Focus (1/10): Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan
- Anthony Treash, Pro Football Focus (1/3): Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan
- Josh Edwards, CBS Sports (1/1): Kayvon Thibodeaux, Edge, Oregon
