
Devin Neal is among the many 2025 NFL Draft’s prime working backs by way of expertise and output. The Kansas working again, who enters the draft after two straight seasons with no less than 1,200 yards, additionally delighted observers on the NFL Scouting Mix early final month with a 10-foot-4 broad leap and a 37.5-inch vertical leap.
It is time for Neal to maneuver on and show himself on the subsequent degree after solidifying his place in Kansas’ historical past books because the chief in working yards, speeding touchdowns and scrimmage touchdowns.
Present draft projections recommend that the previous Jayhawk will probably be chosen within the late third to early fourth spherical of the 2025 NFL Draft.
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With solely 4 fumbles in 760 profession rushes in school, Neal is safe with the ball, has real breakaway quickness and burst, thrives in zone techniques with exceptional smoothness and lateral flexibility, and is sturdy, taking part in 40 straight video games with out damage in school. Draft specialists rank him among the many prime 10 working again prospects on this draft due to all these qualities.
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Nevertheless, his lack of base energy, his problem recognizing blitz pickups, his lack of pure arms in cross safety and his excessive probability of taking place on first contact extra typically than anticipated are a few of his sport weaknesses that would trigger him to fall to the fourth spherical of the draft.
Though groups could have doubts about Neal’s physique, his sturdiness raises the chance that these worries are unfounded. In comparison with different productive machines at his place within the draft, Neal had fewer damage points in school, making him a possible nice worth within the late third to early fourth spherical.
Devin Neal’s NFL scouting report and most closely fits within the NFL
Devin Neal confirmed his expertise as an environment friendly rusher in school by gaining 1,000 yards or extra on the bottom in three straight seasons. He additionally recorded 1,266 speeding yards and 16 touchdowns final season, the type of output that NFL groups will search for in a working again.
Along with his contributions as a rusher, Neal averaged 9.2 yards per reception with 4 touchdowns whereas being focused 101 occasions within the passing sport in school.
Neal is a continuing risk to opposing groups within the open discipline. He’s able to breaking tackles in numerous methods, making it difficult for linebackers and even defensive backs to convey him down.
The first concern relating to Neal’s sport is his explosive velocity, evidenced by his 4.58-second 40-yard dash on the NFL Scouting Mix, which, though not poor, did not considerably impress observers.
Devin Neal has quite a few potential locations, together with the Minnesota Vikings, Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Las Vegas Raiders and New York Giants.