This offseason, the New York Giants must make a tough choice about their offensive line. RT Before going on injured reserve at the end of the 2023 season in Week 9, Evan Neal had a difficult season. Neal’s future with the organization is already in doubt despite being a top-10 choice in 2022 after two incredibly dismal seasons to begin his career.
The Giants could be seeking Evan Neal’s replacement this offseason
Neal’s status as the team’s starting right tackle is in doubt, according to SNY’s Connor Hughes, as the Giants are anticipated to “actively look” for his replacement this offseason:
“At this moment, Evan Neal is their right tackle.” However, I anticipate that the Giants will actively search for a replacement this offseason. This might happen in free agency (Michael Onwenu, Jonah Williams, Jermaine Eluemunor), or the first round of the draft (Joe Alt of Notre Dame, Olu Fashanu of Penn State).” Hughes reports. “Once they locate that player, they’ll kick Neal inside.”
Given the Giants’ reluctance to make such a move during the 2023 campaign, the idea of moving Neal inside to guard is fascinating. While acknowledging that the second-year tackle needed to improve, general manager Joe Schoen told reporters during the team’s bye week that they had no plans to shift Neal to guard.
Neal laughed at the notion of switching to guard, telling reporters that he was an offensive lineman “right out of the womb.” A shift inside to guard this offseason may be unavoidable despite the mutual trepidation between the two sides regarding the position adjustment. In just seven games this season, Neal gave up 30 pressures and two sacks, earning a 39.8 overall Pro Football Focus grade. In his first two seasons, he was a liability on the field and had trouble staying on the field.
During the offseason, the Giants will have plenty of chances to replace Neal. As Hughes indicated, they might go for starting-caliber tackles in free agency, like Michael Onwenu or Jermaine Eluemunor. Alternatively, they could try to add a right tackle in the draft. In any case, Neal’s starting position has to be up for grabs following his career’s first two catastrophic seasons.
