Evan Neal Is Ready to Try Guard for the New York Giants

One of the first major decisions made by Giants general manager Joe Schoen after taking charge of the franchise was selecting tackle Evan Neal with the seventh overall pick in the draft. However, Neal has so far struggled to meet the lofty expectations that come with being a top-10 draft choice. His continued difficulties in solidifying the tackle position sparked widespread speculation about a potential move to guard—a transition that now appears imminent after four seasons with the team. This shift comes as no surprise, especially since Schoen himself revealed earlier this month that Neal is open to moving inside on the offensive line.

The recent signings of free agents James Hudson III and Stone Forsythe—both backup offensive linemen expected to play primarily at right tackle behind starter Jermaine Eluemunor—have further solidified the team's depth at tackle. These additions have essentially made Neal’s position switch a necessity if he hopes to preserve and extend his career with the Giants. The franchise’s decision to decline the fifth-year option on Neal’s rookie contract underscores the urgency of this transition, as he now prepares to enter the final year of his original deal.

Interestingly, Neal’s move to guard is not entirely new territory. Early in his collegiate career at Alabama, during his freshman season in 2019, he actually played left guard before transitioning to right tackle in 2020 and then left tackle in 2021. Despite showing versatility in college, the NFL has presented greater challenges. Neal has primarily played right tackle for the Giants but has battled a combination of injuries and inconsistency, which has hindered his ability to perform at a high level. Over four seasons, he has appeared in 29 games with 27 starts—struggling mightily.

The move inside to guard offers Neal a fresh start and a chance to leverage his strength and agility in a different role on the line. For the Giants, it could be a smart play to get more production from a player whose career trajectory has been uncertain. Both the team and Neal will hope that this change revitalizes his performance and helps him realize the full potential that initially made him such a prized prospect.