The Seahawks finally made their much-anticipated trade down. The Seahawks traded down three picks with Pittsburgh and received the 216th pick in the sixth round.
The team used the 99th pick on Arkansas cornerback Julian Neal. All it took was a mere two seconds into his post-draft interview with the media to know who Julian Neal is.
“ They believed in me. We going back to back this year. Come on,’ said the Seahawks 6’2 203 pound cornerback from Arkansas.
Neal is a big corner who not only talks a big game but delivers on the field. Neal started all 12 games for the Razorbacks his senior year, recording 5 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 12 pass defenses.
“In zone, I’m able to read the offensive line and I’m able to read the QB. Watching film really helps me a lot with learning the tendencies of receivers, especially being off that seven yards, I can read their steps. Just me being big, I know they have to run around me, they can’t run through me,’ said Neal. “ I know I protect the top of the line at first. Come down and go get an interception. I can read it. I can read when they’re going to run, I can read when they’re going to pass. I know concepts and I watch film.”
Neal’s versatility in pass and run defense makes him sure fit for a Mike Macdonald defense that is designed to confuse defenses.
“They’re gonna get somebody who’s gonna bring the energy, but also be serious when it’s time to go”,said Neal
THE SCOUNTING REPORT ON NEAL
Strengths
- Outstanding size, length, strength and explosiveness.
- Like a weighted blanket on the wideout when he’s in tight.
- Long arms shade and overwhelm the catch-point when he’s in position.
- Uses size and physicality to run through receivers and jar throws loose.
- Very sticky as an open-field tackler after the catch.
- Plays with above-average toughness in run support.
- Able to shed perimeter blocks and get to the ball-carrier.
Weaknesses
- Hip tightness creates clunky openings against press release.
- Double moves and route fakes tend to manipulate him more than they should.
- Below-average make-up speed when beaten deep.
- Delayed in his plant-and-drive from the top of his backpedal.
- Needs to get his head around sooner to find the football.
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