JACKSONVILLE – A key date approaches, and a popular choice remains popular.
That's the story for the NFL this week, and it's the story for those analyzing the Jaguars and the 2022 NFL Draft. With the NFL Scouting Combine scheduled this week in Indianapolis, Ind., analysts continue to focus on the offensive line for the Jaguars at No. 1 overall.
The offensive lineman of choice remains tackle Evan Neal.
Neal, who played collegiately at the University of Alabama, reportedly will not work out at the combine. Eight of 10 analysts in this week's jaguars.com 2022 mock draft tracker projected him to the Jaguars with the No. 1 overall selection.
A look at what analysts wrote about the projection this past week:
- Daniel Jeremiah, NFL Media: "This offseason is all about supporting [quarterback] Trevor Lawrence. Neal isn't a flawless prospect, but he's consistently improved and has a huge upside."
- Damian Parson, The Draft Network: "Evan Neal is arguably the best offensive lineman in this class. He has a rare combination of size, strength, and athleticism."
- Oliver Hodgkinson, Pro Football Network: "A behemoth at 6-feet-7, 350 pounds, Neal is an explosive athlete with powerful hands and the strength to manipulate his opponent at the point of attack."
- Cam Mellor, Pro Football Network: "Though an edge defender is enticing, Neal presents the rare option to secure a decade-long starter at a position where there are fewer and fewer good options in today's NFL."
- Steve Palazzolo of Pro Football Focus was the lone analyst in this week's tracker not projecting offensive tackle to the Jaguars No. 1 overall. He mocked Michigan edge defender Aidan Hutchinson there.
"The Jaguars have plenty of needs, but this draft class only has a few slam-dunk prospects," Palazzolo wrote. "I'm going with Hutchinson, who is coming off an elite 94.5 overall PFF grade and is the best combination of run defender and pass-rusher in the draft."
Here's the seventh jaguars.com 2022 mock draft tracker:
Mocker, Affiliation (Date): Player, position, school
- Drae Harris, The Draft Network (2/28): Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
- Steve Palazzolo, Pro Football Focus (2/28): Aidan Hutchinson, Edge, Michigan
- Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports (2/28): Ikem Ekwonu, OT, North Carolina State
- Oliver Hodgkinson, Pro Football Network (2/26): Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
- Tom Fornelli, CBS Sports (2/26): Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
- Luke Easterling, USA Today Draft Wire (2/25): Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
- Damian Parson, The Draft Network (2/23): Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
- Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports (2/23): Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
- Daniel Jeremiah, NFL Media (2/22): Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
- Cam Mellor, Pro Football Network (2/22): Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
- Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports (2/21): Ikem Ekwonu, OT, North Carolina State
- Austin Gayle, Pro Football Focus (2/21): Aidan Hutchinson, Edge, Michigan
- Kyle Stackpole, CBS Sports (2/18): Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
- Josh Edwards, CBS Sports (2/18): Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
- Eric Edholm, Yahoo Sports (2/17): Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
- Luke Easterling, USA Today Draft Wire (2/17): Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
- Kevin Hanson, Monday Morning Quarterback (2/17): Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
- Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports (2/16): Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
- Danny Kelly, The Ringer (2/15): Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
- Rob Rang, Fox Sports (2/15): Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan
- Nate Davis, USA Today (2/15): Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
- 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, EDGE, 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 Ekwonu, OT, North Carolina State
- Sam Monson, Pro Football Focus (1/31): Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
- Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports (1/31): Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, 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, EDGE, 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, EDGE, 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, EDGE, Michigan
- Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports (1/17): Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan
- Austin Gayle, Pro Football Focus (1/17): Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan
- Kyle Stackpole, CBS Sports (1/14): Kayvon Thibodeaux, Edge, Oregon
- Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News (1/14): Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, 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, EDGE, Michigan
- Anthony Treash, Pro Football Focus (1/3): Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan
- Josh Edwards, CBS Sports (1/1): Kayvon Thibodeaux, Edge, Oregon
