Which Alabama Crimson Tide players will have big rookie seasons in the NFL?

OT Evan Neal with the New York Giants

The slam dunk, guaranteed future Pro Bowler on this list, Evan Neal is going to start right away for the New York Giants. He will be an immediate upgrade from veteran Nate Solder at right tackle.

Neal will be working closely with new head coach and former Alabama offensive coordinator (2017) Brian Daboll. Even though the two didn’t cross paths in Tuscaloosa, Daboll and the Giants players have been nothing but complimentary of the seventh overall pick.

“Evan has looked great so far, and you can tell he really wants to learn it,” QB Daniel Jones said. “It’s important to him.”

Why Neal will succeed as a rookie

Physically, he is bigger than most of the offensive linemen on the team.

“Listed at 6-foot-7 and 350 pounds, Neal shouldn’t have much trouble making the NFL transition physically. He made most of the Giants’ other linemen look small at OTAs,” Giants beat reporter Jordan Raanan said.

Neal was by far the most consistent of the Alabama Crimson Tide linemen to protect Bryce Young this fall and that was playing on the left instead of his preferred right. Even though he is having to re-learn playing on that right side while making the jump to the NFL, he has everything you want in a young tackle.

Evan Neal entered the draft listed at 6-foot-8, 337 pounds. When he reported to rookie minicamp, he was up 13 pounds.

Why Neal will struggle as a rookie

In his first two regular-season games, Neal will see the likes of Bud Dupree, Harold Landry Jr., and Brian Burns. The two Tennessee Titans pass-rushers combined for 15 sacks in 2021 while Burns totaled nine with the Carolina Panthers.

Talk about getting thrown into the fire!