Can Giants' Evan Neal Turn Things Around?
Coach John Harbaugh aims to revitalize Evan Neal's career, a player with an uncertain future with the Giants, betting on his physical potential to turn him into an elite guard.
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The New York Giants have re-signed Evan Neal to a one-year, low-risk deal, a move that surprised many given his previous performance.
After a 2025 season where Neal was largely a forgotten man on the depth chart, many assumed his time with the team was over; however, new head coach John Harbaugh seems willing to give this project another shot. Fans are anxious about the right guard position, but Harbaugh's experience transforming tackles into quality guards suggests Neal might have a chance to revitalize his career.
After a 2025 season where Neal was largely a forgotten man on the depth chart, many assumed his time with the team was over; however, new head coach John Harbaugh seems willing to give this project another shot. Fans are anxious about the right guard position, but Harbaugh's experience transforming tackles into quality guards suggests Neal might have a chance to revitalize his career.
To understand why Harbaugh would want to bring back a player with Neal's history, it's necessary to analyze the experiment with Daniel Faalele in Baltimore.
Harbaugh has a clear preference for huge guards who can overpower defenders in the running game. Faalele, at 6'8" and 370 pounds, began his career as a tackle, but struggled before moving to right guard, where he played all 34 games for the Ravens in the last two years. Harbaugh could envision a similar transformation for Neal.
Harbaugh has a clear preference for huge guards who can overpower defenders in the running game. Faalele, at 6'8" and 370 pounds, began his career as a tackle, but struggled before moving to right guard, where he played all 34 games for the Ravens in the last two years. Harbaugh could envision a similar transformation for Neal.
Standing 6'8" and weighing 345 pounds, Neal possesses a physical profile similar to Faalele, who successfully transitioned from tackle to starting guard under Harbaugh's direction.
If the Giants can leverage Neal's 80.8 PFF run-blocking grade from the 2024 season on the interior, they might find the dominant player they've been missing in the interior game.
If the Giants can leverage Neal's 80.8 PFF run-blocking grade from the 2024 season on the interior, they might find the dominant player they've been missing in the interior game.
The primary criticism of Neal has always been his slowness and his problems against speed on the edge, problems that are magnified as a tackle.
By moving him to right guard, the Giants could effectively neutralize those weaknesses. On the interior, Neal's large size becomes a literal wall, and his lack of lateral quickness is less detrimental in the trenches.
By moving him to right guard, the Giants could effectively neutralize those weaknesses. On the interior, Neal's large size becomes a literal wall, and his lack of lateral quickness is less detrimental in the trenches.
Financially, this decision to re-sign Neal is salary cap efficient.
Neal returns on a one-year contract for $1.215 million, with virtually zero guaranteed money. It's a no-risk maneuver that allows the Giants to see if Harbaugh's coaching staff can unlock the potential of the Alabama player that made him a top-10 pick. If he fails, the Giants can cut the contract without any impact on the salary cap; if he succeeds, they will have found a potential starter at a fraction of the market price.
Neal returns on a one-year contract for $1.215 million, with virtually zero guaranteed money. It's a no-risk maneuver that allows the Giants to see if Harbaugh's coaching staff can unlock the potential of the Alabama player that made him a top-10 pick. If he fails, the Giants can cut the contract without any impact on the salary cap; if he succeeds, they will have found a potential starter at a fraction of the market price.
Ultimately, the Giants are re-signing Evan Neal to give him a fresh start with the new coaching staff.
Harbaugh did not draft Neal and is not bound by his past failures. He sees a 25-year-old player with uncommon size and a physical profile that fits the Giants' new run-heavy offensive scheme. It remains to be seen if Neal can outperform a rookie or a veteran like Greg Van Roten, but the opportunity is there. In an offense that will rely heavily on physicality and heavy formations, having a 345-pound player at guard is an enticing prospect. It's time to see if the "bust" label was premature, or if Harbaugh can really work miracles on the offensive line.
Harbaugh did not draft Neal and is not bound by his past failures. He sees a 25-year-old player with uncommon size and a physical profile that fits the Giants' new run-heavy offensive scheme. It remains to be seen if Neal can outperform a rookie or a veteran like Greg Van Roten, but the opportunity is there. In an offense that will rely heavily on physicality and heavy formations, having a 345-pound player at guard is an enticing prospect. It's time to see if the "bust" label was premature, or if Harbaugh can really work miracles on the offensive line.
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