3-4 Defensive End/Defensive Tackle

Purdue

6-3 294

40 time: 4.86

Draft board overall prospect rank: #42

Draft board 3-4 defensive end rank: #6

Overall rating: 79* 

            3/28/10: Mike Neal is a very impressive defensive lineman prospect from the Purdue Boilermakers. He’s had 10 sacks in the last 2 years against a higher level of competition than he is given credit for (Big 10). He has amazing quickness and a very good set of pass rushing moves. His straight line speed is athleticism are very good for his size. He is a bit undersized, but he’d be a perfect fit as a 3-4 defensive end because of his pass rushing moves and his agility and athleticism. He gets into the backfield with great ease and gets his way around bigger offensive linemen with sneaky quickness. He is a very smart pass rusher and has good size against the run, though he can be run at a bit. He’s very fundamentally sound and hits hard with good wrap up and doesn’t often miss. He was again impressive in the Senior Bowl, but the necessary hype around him is not there yet, likely because of the lack of national attention Purdue gets, despite being a part of the Big 10. He probably will go in the 3^rd round, but some smart GM may take him in the 2^nd as a 3-4 guy. He deserves to be a 2^nd round prospect, that 3^rd tier interior rusher after Suh/McCoy and Odrick/Price.

NFL Comparison: Darnell Dockett

*For a breakdown of what this means, click here