Giants’ Plans for Evan Neal Amidst Uncertainty
The Giants are eager to reshape the narrative around Evan Neal, their Top 10 draft pick from three years ago. The hope is to pivot from his previous role and make it work better this time.
So far, the transition for other offensive tackles has shown promise.
During the spring workouts, Neal has practiced at both the left and right guard positions, according to offensive line coach Carmen Brissiro on the first day of minicamp.
Interestingly, Neal played guard as a freshman at Alabama, where he started every game on the right side.
“He’s picking things up nicely in there,” coach Brian Dabor noted. “Training camp is going to be crucial for all offensive linemen, especially for Neal.”
The future for the 24-year-old lineman remains somewhat unclear. In early May, the team opted not to exercise his fifth-year option, which would have secured $17.54 million for 2026. With Jon Runyan Jr. now the left guard starter, Neal will be competing against veteran Greg Van Roten for a spot elsewhere.
The aim is for Neal to follow in the footsteps of others, like Ereck Flowers and Mekhi Becton, who found success moving inside after struggling at tackle.
“I’m looking forward to seeing how he performs once the pads are on,” Brissiro reflected. “He’s embraced the change, and it’s been positive so far. A lot of NFL players have made that switch from tackle to guard, so we’ll see how it goes.”
On another note, new starting quarterback Russell Wilson has shown enthusiasm for receiver Jalin Hyatt, a third-round pick in 2023, who hasn’t quite found his footing in the league yet.
Hyatt has bulked up this offseason, adding 15-20 pounds as he gears up for a potential breakout in his third year.
Wilson acknowledges it’s up to him to maximize Hyatt’s talents, given that the receiver has recorded only 31 catches for 435 yards over his initial two seasons.
“The key for me is consistency,” Wilson shared. “I want to give him every chance to excel on the field. He’s got that strong work ethic and a gritty attitude. He’s determined to improve every day and has all the right qualities to succeed.”
Meanwhile, left tackle Andrew Thomas is dealing with a Lisfranc injury on his right foot, while inside linebacker Bobby Okereke hasn’t been seen on the field during spring practices. Despite missing the last five games last year due to a back injury, Dabour doesn’t believe this will be an ongoing issue for him.
