Evan Neal, the seventh overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft, is embarking on his fourth season with the New York Giants.

The former Alabama standout was projected to be a mainstay at tackle for Big Blue, but due to some injury issues and other unforeseen circumstances, he is playing for his Giants career this summer.

Advertisement

Neal played and started 13 games as a rookie, but has only 14 games over the past two seasons. Injuries have slowed his development, but it has become apparent that Neal is not starting NFL tackle material. He is susceptible to the speed rush, and the Giants are now attempting to salvage what is left of his time here by shifting him inside to guard.

Before the team’s mandatory minicamp began on Tuesday, head coach Brian Daboll spoke about Neal’s transition to the interior of the line.

So far, so good. But it’s early.

In early May, the Giants officially chose to decline Neal’s fifth-year option, a clear sign that they had decided his fate with the club. Neal would need to become a different player to stick on this year’s roster.

Advertisement

He will have a tough hill to climb this summer. Any role Neal wins will likely be as a backup. There’s suddenly a logjam along the offensive line.

Jon Runyan Jr. is returning from an ankle injury, and 35-year-old Greg Van Roten will be hard to displace after playing 100 percent of the offensive snap counts in 2024. The Giants have also added veteran help in James Hudson III to go with Aaron Stinnie, Jake Kubas, and Joshua Ezeudu. Then, in the draft, they took Purdue’s Marcus Mbow in the fifth round. Neal has no room for error here.

Nothing is impossible, however. Offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo told reporters on Tuesday that Neal is working both sides of the line at guard and has “embraced” the position change.

“He’s swung. He’s played both,” Bricillo told reporters. “He’s played both sides and will continue to play both sides.”

Advertisement

It will all be settled out on the field this summer. The opportunity for Neal is still there for him to take. The question now is can he take advantage?

This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Giants’ Evan Neal practicing at both guard positions