Two years into his career, it appeared Keanu Neal, the No. 17 overall selection of the 2016 NFL Draft, was well on his way to being worth his high draft selection.
In his first season, Neal made the all-rookie team after starting in all 14 of the games he suited up for. The following season, starting 16 of 16 games, Neal was a Pro Bowl selection. In his two combined years, he recorded more than 200 tackles and eight forced fumbles.
But Neal’s past two seasons have unfortunately not looked like the first two, mainly because there hasn’t been much to look at at all. Over the past two years, Neal has only played in four games, first due to a torn ACL in 2018 and then a torn Achilles tendon in 2019.
For as much as Neal has been through, he is still just 24 years old (will be 25 when the 2020 season starts). There is plenty of reason to believe that the best days for Neal are still ahead of him. One of those reasons comes from the words of Neal himself.
“By God’s grace, I feel awesome,” Neal said. “I feel like myself again. I’m grateful.”
That quote is from an interview with NFL Network earlier this offseason, as he is recovering from his second major injury in just two years. Neal went on to explain that it’s been a tough road, but it’s also given him plenty of perspective—and some time to slow down such a fast-paced life.
“These past couple of years have been tough,” Neal said. “I try not to look at the negatives. I try to think positive about it. I’ve (had) a lot of opportunities to spend time with my wife, family, friends and groom myself personally. It’s been tough, but it’s been a great time. I feel really good mentally and physically.”
It’s always important to be right mentally. There is so much that goes into playing the game at a high level, especially at the safety position, that having a clear and focused mind is necessary to be at your best.
But for the Falcons, the physical aspect of Neal’s game is what their defense has been missing most. Though the NFL has adjusted its rules so that there isn’t as much unforeseen punishment over the middle of the field from safeties and linebackers, you better believe receivers and tight ends still pay attention when Neal is on the back end.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvmRtk4j-7c
Simply put: the man plays at a different speed with a different level of aggression. This is just one play where Neal looked like a heat-seeking missile when the ball arrived at its target. Whether it’s wide receivers, running backs, or tight ends, if you’re on the receiving end of a pass and Neal is near you, you’ll also be on the receiving end of a good hit, too.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwBiT0qUT7I
Another way Neal can help the Falcons out is when playing man coverage against slot players. In 2017, the Falcons used Neal in coverage against tight ends and running backs. The clip above shows Neal in man coverage against Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cameron Brate. Neal also guarded players like tight end Rob Gronkowski and running back Alvin Kamara during the 2017 season. When in man coverage, while Neal isn’t the best slot defender, his hands stay active and he gives offensive players all they can handle when it comes to some bumps during their routes and at the catch point.
It was a slow start for Neal in 2019 before he got hurt. As he returns, there has to be a similar level of expectation for a guy coming off two major injuries. But Neal himself doesn’t seem discouraged for what’s ahead, and neither should we.
“I’m ready to get back with the guys and get everything going,” Neal said.
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