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?
“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.
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.”
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.”
