A Second Shot at Right Guard
The New York Post reports that Giants veteran Evan Neal might finally have a real shot to make the team. The 6-foot-7, 340-pound lineman was once the No. 7 overall pick in the 2022 draft, but his time at right tackle fell flat. He did not play a single snap last season after moving to the interior. Now, he has a fresh chance. Aaron Stinnie and Neal share the co-second-teamer spot at right guard. If the Giants keep ten offensive linemen on the 53-man roster, there could be room for him to steal one of the five backup jobs.
Neal re-signed with the Giants for no guaranteed money as a free agent. That move was stunning. He could have walked away to find a fresh start elsewhere, but he stayed. He is trying to prove he belongs. First-year offensive line coach Mike Bloomgren has noticed the change. “I’ve seen great growth from Evan in his ability to take coaching and his ability to try to understand not just how things look on paper but what certain alignments mean to him,” Bloomgren stated to the New York Post. The coach believes Neal is seeing more in his stance and playing with more confidence.
Building a Wall for a Rookie QB
The timing of this turnaround matters a lot. The Giants have a young quarterback who needs steady protection right now. Head coach John Harbaugh knows the stakes are high for the early season games. “We’ve got a young quarterback who’s just in his second year, who didn’t play a whole season even last year,” Harbaugh said. He wants the team ready for two of the best teams in their conference, the Cowboys and Rams, right out of the gates.
The Giants need a strong line to survive those early tests. If Neal can hold his ground, he helps the whole offense. The team is looking for reliability. They need players who can block and stay healthy. The pressure is on the players to perform in the preseason games. Bloomgren added, “We’ll see what he’s able to do in these [preseason] games.”
Proving Trust to the Front Office
There is still doubt about whether a rookie can be trusted. The Giants are not the only ones asking hard questions. Dominic Zvada, a rookie kicker for the team, faced similar scrutiny. When asked why they should trust a rookie, Zvada sounded more bemused than annoyed. “Why should they trust a rookie?” he said. “That’s tough, man.” He promised to give everything he can for this historic franchise.
Neal faces the same test. He has to show the front office that his growth is real and not just a flash in the pan. Although he is lobbying for the red jersey of the future, that wasn’t the reason he stayed. He stayed to fight for a spot. The Giants have other options like J.C. Davis, Marcus Mbow, and Daniel Faalele. But Neal has the size and the draft pedigree. The team released David Long and D.J. James to make room for healthy reinforcements. They need everyone ready. If Neal can keep his footing, he might just earn his place on the final squad. The preseason games will be the final judge.
