While most of the country was focused on who would be the next President of the United States, the football world was focused on the NFL trade deadline. While New York and New Jersey residents were casting their votes throughout the day, the NY Giants had until 4 pm EST on Nov 5 to make moves to alter the roster.
Most people thought the Giants would be sellers at the deadline. A year ago, the Giants traded away Leonard Williams to the Seattle Seahawks, a useful move that left them with an extra second-round pick - one they could spare when they made the deal for Brian Burns in the offseason. The Giants even made a deadline trade the year before, during their playoff season, when they sent Kadarius Toney to the Kansas City Chiefs. With this history of Joe Schoen making trades at the deadline, many expected some kind of move.
Yet, nothing. Not a single move made by the Giants, as their roster remained the same despite being 2-7 on the season and likely headed toward the top of the draft order for the 2025 NFL Draft. The Giants' lack of movement at the deadline was met with some skepticism, as some felt they should have gained extra draft capital and sold off what they could during the remainder of their likely lost 2024 season.
So who were the winners and losers for the Giants following the trade deadline?
Winner: Evan Neal
This one is a bit of a late surprise and entry to the winner's side after many thought he would be on the loser's side. Why does he get on the winner's side?
After two months on the bench and only seeing two snaps during the season, Neal was reportedly set to start again for the Giants, at least for one game against the Carolina Panthers at right tackle.
#Giants expected to start Evan Neal @AlabamaFTBL at right tackle Sunday for @NFL international game against #Panthers in Munich, Germany, per a league source @KPRC2 #NFL #Germany
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) November 9, 2024
Neal starting against Carolina will be the first game he is starting since the 2023 season in a loss against the Las Vegas Raiders. Neal missed the rest of the season after it was discovered that Neal had an ankle injury that needed season-ending surgery. Neal spent the rest of the year and the off-season rehabbing the ankle injury.
Aside from two snaps, the only time we really saw Neal was during the preseason in limited action. With new offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo, as opposed to Bobby Johnson, who initially coached Neal, we will get to see what kind of progress Neal has made and if his career with the Giants is worth salvaging.