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With the New York Giants entering a pivotal season in their ongoing rebuild, the margin for error is razor-thin. They have absorbed back-to-back disappointing seasons and still have an identity crisis on offense. Now, will Big Blue continue doubling down on underperforming investments, or start pivoting toward a more modern, aggressive brand of football? One player stands out as both a symbol of past misfires and a potential chess piece for the future: Evan Neal. The former top-10 pickis the most obvious candidate to be moved if the Giants want to get proactive.
The 2025 offseason was supposed to mark a turning point for the Giants. However, the same core issues persist. Even the best versions of the Daniel Jones-era Giants offense were more about checking down and turning small profits than creating explosive plays. As the Giants tried to expand their offense to be more spectacular in 2023 and 2024, Jones’ propensity to hold the ball and a middling offensive line usually meant those attempts were futile. They ranked 24th in deep pass rate last season and were 26th in QBR on the deep throws they attempted. No wonder Jones asked for a release last November. Now, the Giants have Russell Wilson.
As always, the offensive line remains the Giants’ biggest question mark. The team has officially moved on from Neal at right tackle. They announced earlier that the 2022 top-10 pick will shift to guard full time. That puts Jermaine Eluemunor at right tackle and Andrew Thomas on the blind side. If the line can give Wilson time to throw, expect Brian Daboll and his staff to open up the playbook and push the ball downfield more consistently. With the skill positions revamped and major investments poured into the defense, the spotlight now shifts to offensive efficiency. It all starts with keeping the pocket clean.
Here we’ll try to look at the obvious New York Giants trade candidate entering the 2025 NFL training camp.
Neal’s NFL journey has been anything but linear. Drafted seventh overall in 2022 out of Alabama, he was supposed to be a franchise cornerstone at right tackle. Instead, he’s battled injuries, inconsistency, and scrutiny every step of the way. In three seasons, Neal has missed 22 games and allowed more pressures than most other Giants linemen. Despite multiple position coaches and technique adjustments, the progress has been incremental at best.
Still, Neal’s pedigree gives him value. At 6’7 and 350 pounds, he possesses rare size and athleticism. He was a dominant force at Alabama, shifting across the line with ease and excelling in Nick Saban’s pro-style system. Of course, the NFL hasn’t been as forgiving. Now entering the final year of his rookie deal, Neal is officially making the switch to left guard. That’s a desperate but logical move aimed at salvaging his career.
Optimists will hope that Neal can follow the path of a Mekhi Becton or Robert Gallery. They were highly...
