Draft Season At Vikings Territory: S Keanu Neal Scouting Report

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][This Keanu Neal Scouting Report, with a Vikings slant, has been provided to Vikings Territory by Draft Season. Be sure to check back for more and also be sure to visit Draft Season to quench your NFL Draft thirst. All previously published scouting reports can be found by clicking here.]

Keanu Neal | S, Florida

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

Measurements

Height – 6’0″
Weight – 211 lbs.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

At First Glance

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Projected Round:

2nd – 3rd Round

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

Pros

Thick build with compact frame, wide shoulders and long arms.

Big hitter. Neal lowers his shoulder and delivers punishing blows to ball carriers.

Good overall speed. Neal is quick to close and can get to quarterbacks in a hurry when blitzing.

Athletic. Neal is smooth in his movements and glides easily across the field.

Fiery and aggressive style of play. Neal plays with a high level of intensity that get his teammates fired up.

SEC battle tested. Played against some of the best talent in the college game and held his own.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

Cons

Occasionally late diagnosing plays.

Needs work in coverage. Neal will be primarily used in the box, until his pass coverage ability improves.

Focuses too much on the backfield and doesn’t always give full attention to his coverage duties.

Lacks ideal height. Neal is just 6’0 and will be shorter than many receivers and tight ends he’s asked to cover.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1460068502176{padding-top: 15px ;background-color: #dbdbdb ;}”]

NFL Player Comparison:

Eric Reid, San Francisco 49ers

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]

The Vikings Slant

Vikings fit? Yes.

It’s widely know that the Vikings are in the market for a safety. Though they’ve signed Michael Griffin and it’s likely he’ll start in 2016, he is not the long-term solution. Neal is a big, physical hitter who blows up ball carriers. He plays with a high level of intensity and is aggressive in his pursuit of the play. Neal would add a ton of physicality to the back end of the Vikings secondary. He does need some development in pass coverage and will make his money working in the box early in his career.

So is he a fit for the Vikings? Absolutely. Neal will likely come off the board sometime during the second round along with a plethora of other safety prospects. He should be high on the Viking’s wish list and it wouldn’t shocking at all to hear his name called by Vikings on day two.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]