Prospect at a glance: 6'7, 337, RAS = N/A, 3rd on personal big board.
Analysis: The Texans are viewed around the league as a wild card, as Nick Caserio holds his cards close to his beloved blue vest. They've shown a lot of interest in Ahmad Gardner and there is plenty of smoke towards Derek Stingley. Additionally, HC Lovie Smith recently voiced his concerns with the performance of the CBs last year.
Many arrows point to Sauce or Stingley but I believe the Texans will shock the fan base and select the behemoth from Tuscaloosa, in Neal. Caserio and the coaching staff have consistently preached their players being "good people" first and foremost. I imagine they will buy into Neal in that regard, more so than Gardner, Stingley and Kayvon Thibodeaux.
Neal was a permanent team captain for the Crimson Tide and, "was a pro the day he walked into Alabama in terms of his maturity," says Butch Jones, a former Alabama special assistant to the HC and offensive analyst. Furthermore, Neal has displayed his raw talent and versatility by starting at three different positions on the OL in three consecutive years (13 starts at LG, 12 at RT and 14 at LT) versus SEC competition.
The Texans will value his freakish athletic gifts, blue-chip reputation as a leader and worker, and the versatility to start at guard as a rookie and potentially move to tackle, depending on Caserio's plans with Laremy Tunsil and Tytus Howard.