NFL Mock Draft: Entire 1st round after a crazy free agency
By Andrew Falce
NFL Mock Draft picks 3 and 4
3. Houston Texans: Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
829. Pick Analysis. OT. Evan Neal. 3. player. Scouting Report. Alabama
The first two picks of this mock draft see edge rusher go off the board while the next two target teams offensive lines. The Texans could, in theory, go after a quarterback here, but Davis Mills flashed a little bit at the end of the season.
With Houston having so many needs elsewhere on top of this, they ultimately decide to try and build around Davis as opposed to replace him.
While there is a real debate as to who the top tackle will be in this class, I think the Texans ultimately go after Evan Neal. While not the technician that others are in the class are, Neal is a mountain of a man.
His athleticism makes him a capable starter on either side of the line, and he has the traits to be one of the best tackles in the league. There is more projection with Neal, but his ceiling is extremely high.
4. New York Jets: Ikem Ekwonu, OT, North Carolina State
The Jets follow suit by taking the player some think could be the first player off the board. Ikem Ekwonu is a freaky athlete and an incredible technician as a blocker. He has the makings of an elite offensive tackle based on that alone.
His issue is his height, as he is on the shorter side for a tackle at 6’4 which may limit him at the next level.
That said, Ekwonu is arguably the most pro-ready prospect in the class, as he should be a plug-and-play tackle on either side. If his size ends up hampering him, he can always move inside to guard if need be.
The Jets seem likely to take the best tackle remaining on the board, and landing Ekwonu would be quite the get.