With a new defensive scheme in the Jacksonville Jaguars’ future that could be similar to that of the Baltimore Ravens, it’s expected that the team will add some beef through the draft. That’s exactly why fans should get to know the name of North Carolina State defensive lineman Alim McNeill.
According to Justin Melo of the Draft Network, the Jags are one of several teams McNeill has spoken with in addition to the Green Bay Packers, New York Jets, Seattle Seahawks, and Indianapolis Colts. He’s also scheduled to meet with the New Orleans Saints as well.
The Jags, who named a mostly new staff under new coach Urban Meyer, will have a new defensive coordinator in former Ravens defensive line coach Joe Cullen, who is making his second stop in Duval. When asked what type of scheme the Jags would run, he hinted that the team would show more variety and would cater to what talent is on the roster.
“We are still evaluating our current roster and I’ve been [in the NFL] for 14 years – eight years we were a 4-3 scheme and six years, we were a 3-4 scheme when we were multiple,” said Cullen. “It is all tailored to the personnel that you have and in both schemes, you have the flexibility to do both.”
McNeill would be a great fit as a nose tackle, although many feel 2020 third-round pick DaVon Hamilton could handle those duties as a starter for the Jags. In a scenario where they do draft McNeill, both players could see time on the field together, which could be a scary thought.
Per Pro Football Focus, McNeill played 87% of his total snaps at heads-up nose tackle in 2020. They also stated that he acquired the second-highest grade from that position since 2014, with only Jeffery Simmons of the Tennessee Titans registering a better figure.
McNeill played 87% of his total snaps at heads-up nose tackle this year, making his production nothing short of incredible. Only one player since 2014 has produced a higher PFF grade at 0-technique than McNeil’s 90.5 this season (former Mississippi State Bulldog and current Tennessee Titan Jeffery Simmons in 2017).
McNeill won 10% of his pass-rush snaps at nose tackle, an impressive figure in its own right, but the reason for his success is all due to his run defense. He was a constant disruptor and fully deserved the 92.1 run-defense grade on the year.
McNeill’s grade against the run explains why the Jags could be interested as they were 30th against the rush in 2020, allowing an average of 153.3 yards a game. His 10% success figure on pass-rush snaps is also rather intriguing as that would indicate that McNeill can help them in more than one way.
Several sites on the internet have McNeill being taken late in the second round to the early part of the third round. While the Jags have the first pick in the second round and a pick in the middle of it, their third round pick (No. 65) might be an area where they would select McNeill.