Prospect Watch: DT Mike Neal
As the Jets journey towards the draft in April, we here at TJB will be taking a look into prospects that could be on the Jets draft board. Today we will be taking a look at: Purdue product, Mike Neal [via Matt Y., Riza D., Anthony M. and Chris L.]
- Neal, left
Projected Round: Fourth
Measurables: Stands at 6’3. Weighs in at 294 lbs.
Positives: Neal has tremendous power and can push the pocket into the backfield. He is a good bull rusher with active hands and can often gain leverage over the opposing lineman. He can shed blocks well and has a good range. Neal has an explosive first step and can hold up well at the point of attack. Overall, Neal has a good motor and can be very disruptive.
Negatives: Neal will struggle to shed blocks on the move and can’t change direction quickly. He lacks productive counter moves and can get held up if his initial push is stopped. Sometimes the effort and consistancy isn’t there.
The Bottom Line: Neal is a powerful force that could help give Kris Jenkins some more rest during games. However there needs to be more consistancy and effort and a willingness to improve in order for Neal to succeed. At this point the Jets could do a lot of things with their fourth rounder and as tempting as Neal is, I think they go in a different direction.
15 Responses to Prospect Watch: DT Mike Neal
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Brad says:
Weeks- Why are u saying Mike Neal would help to give Jenkins a rest? Neal is a 3-4 DE who would be stout at stopping the run and pushing back the OL allowing the pass rushers to get to the QB and RB’s as well as having the ability to provide a pass rush too. Neal will be a nice guy to add depth to our DL for the DE’s in the later rounds if we choose not to draft Odrick or if Odrick was picked already.
By the Jets not bringing back Marques Douglas, now Mike Devitto is set to start opposite Ellis and Neal could do a very good job of backing up Devitto- run stuffer mainly and filling in for Ellis at times too- Ellis more DE- pass rusher. Mike Neal had 10 and 11.5 tfl with 5.5 sacks in each of the last two seasons. Neal has good speed, power, great first step! Neal’s 10 yard split time was 1.6 and 20 yard split time was 2.72! We all love Brandon Graham- great first step and his splits were 1.61 and 2.69! So with Neal your getting a 6’3″ 294lbs DE who has just a good first step as one of the best pure pass rushers in the draft!
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Green Lantern (Dez and Mays's Agent) says:
Wolf –
Heard anything about Brandon Marshall and The Jets ?
Also I heard the Redskins tried to include Haynesworth in the Mcnabb trade. -
No Problem Weeks- I know you’ve been busting your behind to try to fill everyones requests with these prospect watches!
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EddieC says:
if hes the one on the left, ill take him…the one on the right, no wayyyyy
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Le' Sean Roberts says:
BOOOOOO! Highlight Cam Thomas, Linval Joseph, Jay Ross, Torrell Troup, etc……
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BOILER UP!!!!!
Mike Neal was an amazing player for both Joe Tiller and Danny Hope. If he’s available in the fourth round, I strongly suggest the Jets give him a shot. The guy can make some fantastic plays, and we’re still trying to find someone to fill the void he left.
There’s a reason he was invited to the North-South game, the Senior Bowl and the Combine. Don’t reflexively bash him!
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Mike Neal, ridiculous the next best NG behind Cody (some say even better) is Cam Thomas……
Max, Le’Sean – Please cut out the name calling / personal attacks. Thanks.
TJB.
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Le’Sean Roberts- I know I write too much, but if you read my post- you would know that Mike Neal isnt a NT like Cam Thomas or Linval Joseph, but would be a nice DE for the Jets, backing up Devitto and Ellis! Right now the Jets have 2 capable NT’s in Pouha and Jenkins, but we only have 2 capable DE’s in Devitto and Ellis, after them- major question marks. We need to add DE in this draft!
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BigKatt wants a ring says:
I want to see Potty given a chance to see the field. The dude’s a giant.
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Brad, ok so we have Jenkins and Pouha. Now if we’re plague with injuries that last weeks, (not more I hope) who will play behind Pouha. Why do you think 3-4 teams stock pile the NG. At least three is mandatory. Is Green still there? Plus someone like Cam Thomas out of the draft will be cheaper than Green who is mediocre at most (that’s being nice).
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Le’ Sean Roberts- I hear ya, and I’m not disagreeing with you, would love to add one of these big NT’s, but you are playing the what if game- at least you have a capable backup if Jenkins goes down; who do we have to play in rotation with Ellis and Devitto for those 2 DE spots? All we have right now is Pitouitoa and some other young guy we picked up earlier in the offseason – he’s out of Texas a couple of years ago who also has barely any playing experience. So playing your what if game, it is much more crucial to get a DE because if Ellis or Devitto get injured your going to have guys with barely any playing time starting!
Personally I would love to trade out of the first round, swapping our first for the other teams 2nd and 3rd. I stated in another post before- reading that Cleveland is real high on Odrick- wouldnt be surprised that if Odrick is their at #29 we swap with Cleveland- our #29, for their #38 and get back our 3rd round pick we gave them for Braylon Edwards. Then we can draft guys like you want- NT, DE, OLB/DE- hybrid all in the first 3 rounds!
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Ok, I hear you Brad. Heck of a strategy. The only issue is how fast they’re gonna go off the board. I mean WAS and BUF Needs a NG. I believe teams will be bum-rushing them. Its possible they may possible come off higher than expected.
Haynesworth anybody?