New York Giants offensive tackle Evan Neal has not played up to the lofty expectations that come with a first-round pick, and the team could trade him following his latest contract news. Taken with the seventh-overall selection in the 2022 NFL Draft, the Alabama product was supposed to provide then-quarterback Daniel Jones with some much-needed protection along the offensive line. That hasn’t happened, as Neal has yet to play a full 17-game season and hasn’t looked good when healthy. Neal finished the 2024 campaign with an unimpressive 61.2 PFF grade, the 58th-best mark out of 81 eligible players, and it was easily the best mark of his professional career.
New York recently declined the fifth-year option on his contract, which means he will become a free agent following the season. Rather than let him walk for nothing, the Giants could try and trade Evan Neal for whatever they could get. While he won’t fetch a large return for his services, some team will see if they can recapture the magic that made him a top-10 pick in the first place. In no particular order, these teams are the most likely landing spots.
Giants Could Trade Evan Neal Following Latest Contract Update
Houston Texans
The Houston Texans selected Minnesota’s Aireontae Ersery in the second round, but he’s not enough to fix this disastrous offensive line on his own. C.J. Stroud’s biggest weakness is how he performs against pressure, and this offensive line looks like one of the worst in the league. Evan Neal didn’t work out with the Giants, but beggars can’t be choosers. Nick Caserio has never shied down from making a bold move, and seeing as he shouldn’t cost more than a conditional late-round pick, Houston might as well make a low-risk, high-reward investment in the tackle.
San Francisco 49ers
Trent Williams will return for the 2025 season, but he won’t be around forever. While Colton McKivitz came into his own at right tackle, he has experience on the left side of the offensive line. In a perfect world, Williams and McKivitz can hold down their current jobs for the 2025 season while Neal stays on the bench and sees if he can learn left tackle. If he can, San Francisco could re-sign him for cheap and potentially find their next franchise cornerstone for pennies on the dollar.
Miami Dolphins
Tua Tagovailoa has had more than his fair share of injury concerns, and keeping him upright should be Miami’s top priority. Evan Neal is far from the best tackle in the game, but the Giants first-round pick could make sense for this organization. Terron Armstead isn’t coming back, which means the underwhelming duo of Austin Jackson and Patrick Paul will likely enter Week 1 as starters. Neal has the potential to beat out both players and is well worth the gamble for a team desperate for tackle talent.
New England Patriots
The Patriots signed Morgan Moses to be their right tackle for the present, but the veteran is not a long-term answer at the position. Now entering his age-34 season, Moses is much closer to the end of his career than the beginning. Given their terrible tackle depth, New England could part with a late-round pick to see if Evan Neal becomes a diamond in the rough.
Main Photo: Kyle Terada – Imagn Images
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