Devin Neal Dynasty Value: Four Years of Production Demand Respect

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Devin Neal enters the NFL with four years of proven production and zero injury baggage.

He wins with a well-developed blend of patience, vision, and cutting ability.

The former three-star recruit still might not go on Day 2 of the NFL draft. But he’s a name you shouldn’t overlook -- especially if he develops as a pass catcher.

Devin Neal Dynasty Values

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Devin Neal Draft Profile

Devin Neal Combine Results

 

Devin Neal College Stats

Neal Considered a Future in Baseball

Neal earned Division I offers to play football and baseball. 

Kansas offered the opportunity to play both sports, but that didn’t become a reality until Neal’s sophomore year. Even then, he lasted only one season on the diamond.

His decision to focus on football proved wise for the Kansas native.

A Clear Lead Role as a True Freshman

Neal entered the starting lineup in Week 2. He tallied 11 carries, 40 yards, and one score vs. Coastal Carolina. 

He finished 2021 with a 63.7% share of the team’s RB carries and 72% of the backfield rushing yards. 

The 213-pounder also captured 100% of the team’s RB scores.

Call it the first inning of a record-setting run at Kansas.

Neal Takes a Leap, Leaves Room to Grow

Neal’s lead role stuck around, and delivered increased production.

His 1,093 rushing yards, 9 TDs, and 21 catches all ranked third nationally among true sophomores. Neal dominated with games of:

• 32 carries for 224 yards vs. Oklahoma State
• 24 carries for 190 yards vs. Texas Tech

Year-over-year progress showed up in yards per carry (6.1) and Pro Football Focus rushing grade (82.5).

His 2.88 yards after contact per attempt and PFF elusive rating of 69.1 were underwhelming, though. In a sample of 80 RBs, those figures ranked 55th and 49th, respectively.

But Neal wasn’t done growing...

'I Feel Like I'm The Best'

As a junior, Neal set career highs in: 

• Rushing yards (1,280)
• Yards per carry (6.3)
• Rushing TDs (16)
• PFF rushing grade (88.9)
• YAC per attempt (3.63)
• PFF elusive rating (113.1)
• Catches (25)
• Receiving yards (217)

He topped 90 rushing yards in eight of 13 games, helping lock up second-team All-Big 12 honors. 

“I feel like I'm the best, if not one of the best, running backs in the country," Neal said at 2024 Big 12 Media Day.

As a senior, he'd cement that legacy.

A Legendary Finish for Kansas’ All-Time RB1

Kansas hired a new OC for 2024. Jeff Grimes – formerly the OC/TEs coach at Baylor – implemented more of a pro-style attack. 

Neal adjusted well, recording 100+ yards in each of the first four games. Overall, his numbers largely mirrored 2023, with a modest increase in YAC per attempt and a small dip in forced missed tackle rate. 

The 21-year-old leaves Kansas as the school’s all-time leader in rushing yards, rushing TDs, total TDs, and 100-yard games.

Perhaps most impressively, he remained durable. Neal exits college without an injury-related absence, missing only Kansas’ 2024 bowl game (opt out).

Next, let’s see how Neal’s tape lines up with his production.

Devin Neal Highlights

Games watched: Colorado (2024), UNLV (2024), BYU (2023), Texas (2023), Illinois (2023)

Vision and Tempo Lead the Way on Film

Neal’s tape reminds me of fellow prospect Dylan Sampson.

Neither guy figures to win with power as a pro, but both have the vision, tempo, and elusiveness to forecast an impactful career.

The Jayhawk doesn’t bring excellent long speed. So the bulk of his highlights will show a slippery runner who’s adept at making guys miss in space.

Take the first clip below as evidence. Neal waits for a block to set up before making a quick cut, leaving the LB in shambles. 

He ripped off 101 yards on 14 carries in the 2024 loss to Illinois.

Here’s another look at Neal vs. Illinois in a one-on-one situation. Again, he plants his foot in the ground and turns a loss into a gain.

Note that his PFF elusive rating peaked in 2023 at 113.1. That ranked 15th among 73 qualifying RBs.

Good Luck Tackling This Guy

Neal’s slashing style makes him tough to tackle. On this next run vs. UNLV, he quickly hits the hole for a nice gain.

You can tell he’s got an explosive lower half, and that showed up at the Combine. Neal posted an 82nd-percentile broad jump and vertical.

Here's one more nod to his tackle-dodging ability: Per Sports Info Solutions, Neal got hit at the line of scrimmage on only 14% of his 2024 runs. Only Michigan's Donovan Edwards and Iowa's Kaleb Johnson tallied better marks. 

‘Untapped Potential’ As a Receiver?

Neal wasn’t used in exotic ways as a receiver, but he believes there’s room for growth in the NFL.

“I think teams saw via my on-field workout [at the Combine] that I have the ability to run more routes out of the backfield," he said via The Draft Network. “It just wasn’t something they asked me to do a lot of at Kansas. I think there’s definitely untapped potential for me in the passing game. I love catching the ball. I’m a natural because I have a background in playing baseball. Catching the ball isn’t difficult.”

This final clip vs. Colorado supplies another look at Neal's elusiveness. The 51-yard TD stood as a career long.

We see Neal almost get caught from behind, something that happens on a couple of the runs above. He ran just a 4.58-second 40 time at 213 pounds (38th percentile speed score). He slotted in the 43rd percentile for his 10-yard split.

So I wouldn't call him slow. But you won't be confusing him for De'Von Achane.

Devin Neal Team Fit: Washington Commanders

Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler enter contract seasons, and it's easy to see both guys moving on next spring.

Robinson has no ties to the Dan Quinn-Adam Peters regime. Ekeler, 30, missed five games with a pair of concussions last season.

Neal could supply a fine replacement on early downs and potentially develop into a factor in passing situations.

Dynasty Value Conclusion: A Useful Piece With Pro-Ready Traits

Neal presents an ideal blend of size and production. His tape shows an advanced runner with the patience, vision, and elusiveness to contribute to an NFL squad.

He won't surprise with his power, long speed, or receiving ability. But I can see potential as a pass catcher, since Kansas' run-heavy ways limited exposure. He at least showed promise with 20+ catches in three straight seasons.

We'll see about Neal's landing spot, but the depth of this RB class certainly doesn't help. The Athletic's Dane Brugler slapped Neal with a Round 4 grade. NFL Media's Lance Zierlein sees the Kansas star as more of a Round 5-6 pick.

Pre-draft, he sits 12th in our dynasty rookie RB rankings.

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