After a couple of practices in pads at the New York Giants training camp, Tuesday was the time to hear about Evan Neal’s transition from offensive tackle to guard.

“I think Evan steadily improved playing inside,” Giants coach Brian Daboll said. “Things happen a little quicker in there. He’s a big man, so he’s done a nice job on his double teams and getting movement, and it was good to see him out there in one-on-ones at the guard spot. Look for him to continue to improve. …

“Evan’s embraced it. He’s been a true pro about it, spends extra time with the line coaches, does extra work, so he’s really put a lot of time and effort and energy into it, and it’ll be good to see how it looks in the preseason when we can finish blocks and do those types of – the next step.”

New York running back Tyrone Tracy had a more direct critique.

“E-Neal, he’s moving stuff,” Tracy said. “I was about to say the wrong word. But he’s moving stuff back there, man. When I say he’s actively trying to get better, obviously, he had injuries and stuff that came up, but, obviously, he’s doing everything he can to get back into it. But E-Neal is doing the best he can with the opportunities he’s given.”

The Giants used the 10th pick in the 2022 NFL Draft on Neal, and the Alabama All-American went right into New York’s lineup at right tackle. But injuries caused Neal to miss four games in 2022, 10 in 2023 and eight in 2024.

“So far, I’ve just been a player that’s getting better and better each year,” Neal said. “Injuries played a part. I kind of had to battle through those. I feel like I showed grit and resiliency to still be standing here today. I’m just going to focus on continuing to get better in the future.”

At 6-foot-7 and 340 pounds, Neal brings a tackle’s build to the guard spot.

“It’s a new position, but at the end of the day, it’s all football,” Neal said. “From a schematic standpoint, the playbook is just a bit different, some of the technique is a bit different, but at the end of the day, it’s football. …

“I’m a big guy. I take up a lot of mass, I’m athletic, so when I get my hands on guys, a lot of times I can pretty much shut the rep down, and in the run game, I’m explosive and I carry a lot of mass, so when I make contact at the point of attack, I get guys moving backwards.”

Neal earned freshman All-American recognition playing left guard for Alabama in 2019 before manning right tackle for the Crimson Tide’s undefeated CFP national-championship team in 2020. He received consensus All-American recognition as Alabama’s left tackle in 2021.

“Just in terms of like a three-technique is closer than a five-technique off the edge would be,” Neal said of the differences in the offensive-line positions. “At tackle, they talk about, ‘Patience, patience.’ But at guard, you kind of (have) to get on a guy right now. The fight starts a bit earlier, and just in terms of picking up blitzes and things of that nature, a lot of times they happen just a bit quicker.”

The Giants return their starting guards. On the left side, Jon Runyan joined New York last season for a three-year, $30 million contract as a free agent. On the right side, Greg Van Roten returned for an 11th NFL season in 2025 by re-signing with the Giants for a one-year, $3.25 million deal.

Neal is entering the final season of his four-year, $24.551 million rookie contract. He has worked at both guard spots at training camp.

“I just want to play,” Neal said, “so wherever the coaches line me up, I’m going to do my best to execute the best I can.”

New York kicks off its three-game preseason schedule on Aug. 9 against the Buffalo Bills.

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X at @AMarkG1.

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