FRISCO, Texas — As the 2021 NFL season approaches, the hype surrounding the Dallas Cowboys’ defense intensifies. A new era dawns under first-year defensive coordinator Dan Quinn. After last season’s horrific performance by the defensive unit, Quinn is tasked with transforming the squad. Through free agency and the draft, 14 of the Cowboys’ 21 newcomers are on the defensive side of the ball.
Dallas heavily invested in the linebacker position and one acquisition has caught the attention of head coach Mike McCarthy. That player is Keanu Neal.
“He’s all about the football,” McCarthy remarked on Neal. “Man, I love the way he plays. He’s on the ball on time: You see it in practice. He’s given us a couple opportunities early this year where almost the exact play that – spinning out of a block, coming up for a tackle and stripping the ball – you see it on two or three clips from his video when he was in Atlanta. So, he’s a dynamite player, aggressive to the football. I love his play style.”
Neal was selected in the first round of the 2016 NFL draft by the Atlanta Falcons and played for five seasons under Dan Quinn. He spent the entirety of his career in Atlanta as a model cover three strong safety. Neal compiled 338 tackles, 15 for loss, four quarterback hits, two interceptions, and 16 passes defensed. In 2020, Neal posted the third, 100-tackle mark of his career including nine for loss. He was solid against the run in the box, preventing ball carriers from breaking past the second level.
Neal was named to the Pro Bowl following the 2017 season, but injuries derailed his otherwise ascending career. Neal tore his ACL in the 2018 season opener and tore his Achilles in week three of the 2019 season. He made a comeback and played 15 games in 2020, missing one due to a hamstring injury. Given his injury-prone history, reliability is a concern, but the Cowboys’ settled on a cheap, one-year prove it deal.
Thus far, he has impressed with his relentless pursuit of the football. The Florida product may not have racked up flash plays throughout training camp practices but has shown up in the team’s preseason exhibition games and the joint practice against the Rams. Neal recorded an interception off Garrett Gilbert in the scrimmage against Los Angeles, in addition to a forced incompletion. He played man coverage on the tight end, carried him to the flat, and made two quick steps to gash his opponent as the ball arrived. Most notably, Neal notched a forced fumble and recovery in the opening defensive series against the Cardinals on Friday night.
Against Arizona, both Neal and rookie Micah Parsons started the game at the second level in Quinn’s nickel package to combat the Cardinals’ use of 11 personnel. Most of the time, the former first-round pick will be the team’s dime linebacker. In those instances, Neal will play close to the ball in the box covering Y tight ends or will get around blocks and navigate traffic to undercut backs. Additionally, he will be flexed five yards out to carry RBs or TEs in the flat.
His coverage ability and jarring hits have turned heads in recent weeks and Neal has not even scratched the surface. Dallas may have a crowded linebacker room, but Neal is certainly making his mark on the gridiron.
