Giants’ Evan Neal unlikely to follow Mekhi Becton position change path

Giants’ Evan Neal unlikely to follow Mekhi Becton position change path

INDIANAPOLIS — If Evan Neal is going to be moved inside to get a sH๏τ at playing guard after failing at offensive tackle, that position change is not yet in the works.

The Giants are waiting to see what unfolds in free agency before they determine if Neal — the No. 7 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft — will be thrown a life preserver to help him avoid sinking away from the field or off the roster.

Former Jets first-round pick Mekhi Becton was a washout at tackle before resuscitating his career with a move to guard.

Becton started for the Eagles in 2024, won a Super Bowl and is likely to cash in as a free agent.

Can Neal follow that path?

The Giants aren’t considering moving Evan Neal from tackle to guard as of now. Getty Images

“We’ll talk about that once we get through free agency and see where we are and what we have,” general manager Joe Schoen said Tuesday at the NFL scouting combine. “We’ll talk about how we get our best five on the field.”

It is highly unlikely one of the best five will include Neal.

Schoen said he is anticipating having four returning starters on the offensive line — left tackle Andrew Thomas, left guard Jon Runyan Jr., center John Michael Schmitz and right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor. The right guard, veteran Greg Van Roten, is a free agent.

Evan Neal, talking with the media, is unlikely to be one of the Giants’ starting five offensive linemen next season. Robert Sabo for New York Post

It sounds as if the Giants will look to sign a guard in free agency.

Until then, Neal is a tackle this offseason.

“Players don’t report until April 21st or whatever so the roster’s going to look different,” Schoen said. “We’ve got cap space and we’ve got money so depending on what we do on the offensive line, we’ll make those decisions before they come back in April.”

Evan Neal (left) and Kayvon Thibodeaux celebrate after the Giants’ win over the Colts last season. Bill Kostroun

Neal, 24, started 13 games at right tackle as a rookie and his workload and effectiveness declined ever since.

An ankle injury limited him to only seven games in 2023, and last season he was relegated to the bench, starting seven games because of injuries along the line.

Schoen for the first time since the Eagles won the Super Bowl was asked if he had any regrets about allowing Saquon Barkley leave in free agency.

“I’m happy for Saquon,’’ Schoen said. “Obviously he went on to win the Super Bowl. We wish him nothing but the best. You’re always going to evaluate all the decisions you make, and we were at a different place in our build. Again, love Saquon and wish him nothing but the best.’’

DT Dexter Lawrence started the first 12 games before going down for the remainder of the season with a dislocated left elbow.

He was able to attend the Pro Bowl Games in Orlando and participate in the tug-of-war event.

“So I’m ᴀssuming he’s good,” Schoen said.

LT Andrew Thomas after only six games suffered an injury to his right foot and the subsequent surgery cost him the remainder of the season.

“Andrew Thomas has been in the weight room, he looks phenomenal, no boot on the foot or anything, he’s moving well,” Schoen said. “He looks humongous right now.”

Related Posts

Kansas City Chiefs linked with bombshell trade for million Cleveland Browns star

Kansas City Chiefs linked with bombshell trade for $57million Cleveland Browns star

After trading away a big-money offensive lineman contract in the form of Joe Thuney, the Kansas City Chiefs have been linked to trade for a different big-money…

NFL player and rapper spark dating rumors by starring in racy music video

NFL player and rapper spark dating rumors by starring in racy music video

NFL star Xavier Legette and famous rapper GloRilla have sparked mᴀssive dating rumors after the Carolina Panther wide receiver starred in her racy music video. GloRilla’s latest…

Super Bowl winner ᴅᴇᴀᴅ after being hospitalized in May from a stroke

Super Bowl winner ᴅᴇᴀᴅ after being hospitalized in May from a stroke

Former Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Tom Rafferty, who won Super Bowl XII with the team, pᴀssed away in Windsor, Colorado on Thursday at the age of 70….

Pittsburgh Steelers slammed for signing ‘washed up diva’ Aaron Rodgers by stunned NFL analyst

Pittsburgh Steelers slammed for signing ‘washed up diva’ Aaron Rodgers by stunned NFL analyst

Aaron Rodgers heading to the Pittsburgh Steelers has been slammed by Skip Bayless, as he called the 41-year-old a ‘washed up diva’.  Bayless posted a more-than-5-minute rant…

Travis Kelce turns to new sport in bid to get in shape for NFL season after Taylor Swift date night

Travis Kelce turns to new sport in bid to get in shape for NFL season after Taylor Swift date night

Move over Jannik Sinner, here comes Travis Kelce! The Kansas City Chiefs star was spotted entering the world of racket sports, specifically padel, for a Friday morning…

Detroit Lions star Amon-Ra St. Brown announces concerning injury news

Detroit Lions star Amon-Ra St. Brown announces concerning injury news

After earning first-team All-Pro honors last season, the beginning of the 2025 campaign will be starting a little later than expected for Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra…