Evan Neal played all over Alabama’s offensive line during his three seasons in Tuscaloosa, with over 700 snaps at left tackle, left guard, and right tackle. Now, in the NFL, he’s getting an opportunity to salvage his disappointing career at a new spot along the line.
After becoming the seventh overall pick of the New York Giants in the 2022 NFL Draft, every NFL snap Neal has taken has been at right tackle. However, that stability hasn’t translated to success. Following a difficult rookie year in which he allowed eight sacks and 52 quarterback pressures, Neal hasn’t played over 500 snaps in either of the last two seasons, both due to injury and poor play.
Now, heading into the final year of his rookie contract with the Giants, head coach Brian Daboll is kicking the 6-foot-7, 340-pound 24-year-old to the interior, where he’ll reportedly be competing with Greg Van Roten for the starting right guard job.
Evan Neal getting work at RG with the first team. Split team periods with Greg Van Roten. #NYGiants camp
— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) July 23, 2025
Evan Neal splitting right guard reps at New York Giants training camp
While Neal has the hulking size and length that many expected to translate well to offensive tackle, he’s been unable to move with quicker NFL pass-rushers in pass protection. Neal has been an asset in the run game, so the transition to guard could be the best thing for his career.
New York’s coaching staff could be following the model of another former first-round bust from a cross-town rival who revitalized his career with a position change in the NFC East last season.
Mekhi Becton was the No. 11 overall pick of the New York Jets in 2020, but struggled with his weight, health, and development at right tackle. However, as a last-ditch attempt to save his career, he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles last offseason, who moved him to right guard, and his career took off. Becton thrived in Philadelphia and earned himself a two-year $20 million deal from the Los Angeles Chargers in free agency.
Neal, as Becton was last season with his one-year deal in Philadelphia, is in a contract year, so if he manages to win the job over Van Roten and find a home on the interior of the offensive line, he could be in line for a major payday next offseason. However, if he continues to struggle and the position change doesn’t stick, it could bring a swift end to his NFL career, just four years after he was viewed as a future star coming out of Alabama.