I can’t imagine why Jason Smith is so thoroughly considered the top tackle prospect over Monroe. Read the positives and negatives, and Monroe’s negatives are all of very modest concern, IMO, while a lot of Smith’s positives are of fringe value at the position:

Jason Smith
Positives: Tall, athletic left tackle prospect. … Excellent straight-line speed and hustle, getting downfield on screens and long runs. … Can pull and trap, running smoothly and adjusting to oncoming defenders. … Moves to the second level quickly, using good angles to keep linebackers out of the play. … Should work well in zone-blocking schemes with his ability to lock onto defenders and move. … Gets down quickly to cut block despite his height. … Adjusts well to outside blitzers. … Willing to throw his man to the ground and keep him there. … Has made significant improvement in terms of technique and strength over the past two years at left tackle.

Negatives: Typically operates out of a two-point stance for Baylor. … Raw in his pass-set technique, standing a bit upright and backpedaling instead of sliding to mirror his man. … Locks onto his man at first, but eventually loses his balance and grip due to his average upper-body strength and footwork. … Does not have much of a punch in pass protection. … Can lose the hands battle on the line. … Could use a bit more bulk in the lower body to be more effective as a drive blocker. … Could be moved inside to left guard for a zone-blocking team.

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Eugene Monroe:
Positives: Prototypical left tackle build — good height, long arms and a thick lower body. … Good feet, and keeps them moving in pass protection to mirror his man. … Rarely gets beat, handling bull rushes as well as most inside and outside moves with ease. … Keeps his balance very well. … Blocks down inside often to take defensive tackles out of the play. … Able to neutralize linebackers at the second level. … Shifts to tight end on some strong-side run plays in order to use his strength and athleticism. … Blocks through the whistle, often blocking two or three jerseys on one play when on the move.

Negatives: A bit bigger in the middle than you’d like. … Tends to catch ends as they rush in instead of using his punch to keep them off balance. … Must improve his awareness of inside blitzers or late rushers when plays break down. … Could get to second level or moving targets a little more quickly and sustain blocks better in the open field.

Where would McNeil have played?