Big Blue View
New York Giants training camp in West Virginia will be a last chance for a group of highly-drafted players who have not met expectations to prove they belong. Let’s look at the chances guard Evan Neal, offensive lineman Josh Ezeudu, cornerback Deonte Banks, and wide receiver Jalin Hyatt will be part of the team in 2026.
Many were surprised when Neal, who did not play a snap for the Giants last season, was given another chance with the team by new head coach John Harbaugh. Knowing Harbaugh’s love for massive people, though, it probably should not have been a shock that the veteran coach wanted to make his own judgment about the 6-foot-7, 340-pound No. 7 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Beset by injuries and poor performance, Neal has played in just 29 of a possible 68 regular-season games since becoming the second draft selection of Joe Schoen’s tenure as GM.
Can Neal take advantage of this chance? If spring practices are an indication, the odds will be heavily stacked against him in training camp. Jon Runyan and Sisi Mauigoa are the starting guards, and Daniel Faalele, Lucas Patrick, and Aaron Stinnie would all appear to be ahead of Neal as potential interior offensive line reserves.
First-year offensive line coach Mike Bloomgren liked the way Neal worked this spring.
“The thing I’d say that’s been cool with Evan is it doesn’t matter what group we put him in, all he wants to do is learn and work,” Bloomgren said. “And I think we’re seeing the best version of him in terms of how he’s preparing off the field before he even gets on the field.
“So, preparing for meetings the right way and starting to understand what it takes to be a successful offensive lineman at this level.”
The question that arises is how a 26-year-old entering his fifth season is just beginning to understand what it takes to be successful in the NFL.
Perhaps Neal’s best chance would be if the Giants were to decide to start Faalele at left guard and move on from Runyan, thus saving $9.25 million against the salary cap. That might give Neal a better chance at earning a backup guard job.
Chance Neal makes the team: 10%
If I were an oddsmaker, I would give Ezeudu, a 2022 third-round pick, better odds of making the season-opening roster than Neal.
That is partially contract-related. Neal received a minimum contract with no guaranteed money. Ezeudu received an $80,000 signing bonus and $330,000 in guaranteed salary. So, $410,000 guaranteed overall.
The other thing is that when you talk to Bloomgren, it is clear that he believes there is something worth trying to nurture there with the 27-year-old Ezeudu.
When drafted, Ezeudu was thought to be a guard at the NFL level. Since 2023, though, he has played almost exclusively at tackle. When the Giants brought him back for one more look this year, the thought was that perhaps...
