If there’s one thing fans love about professional sports, it’s a good comeback story. In New York, they especially love a comeback. And heading into the 2025 season, Evan Neal might just be writing one.
Almost four years ago, Neal was a highly touted prospect out of Alabama who fell into the lap of Big Blue with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. He was immediately plugged in as the starting right tackle, and it didn’t quite pan out. Many labeled him a bust and wanted him off the roster. New York even declined his fifth-year option, a clear sign they were ready to move on.
Related: Giants legend just made the boldest claim yet about Evan Neal’s future
But Neal isn’t going quietly. Not only is he fighting for his roster spot, he’s impressing early and looking sharp in his transition from tackle to guard, a move many felt was long overdue. With both starting guard spots up for grabs heading into Week 1, Neal has a real shot to win one and block for Russell Wilson this season. Once upon a time, he was insistent on staying at tackle. But when he spoke at training camp, Neal sounded like a player who had completely changed his mindset, and maybe even matured in the process.
Neal, who began the 2024 season as a reserve and didn’t return to the starting lineup until midseason due to injuries, has had to work even harder to earn trust from the coaching staff and front office. But the former first-rounder says his confidence has never been higher.
"My confidence is great, I'm out there playing football"
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) July 29, 2025
- Evan Neal pic.twitter.com/AEtuLYRQb0
Evan Neal is exuding confidence and looking like the guy the G-Men banked on 3-plus years ago
Even the player who replaced Neal at right tackle, Jermaine Eluemunor, spoke highly of him, especially when it comes to his run blocking. That might be the very thing keeping Neal in the conversation. He posted an 80.8 run-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus in 2024, which ranked ninth out of 140 qualifying tackles.
If anyone understands switching positions to help the team, it’s Eluemunor. He’s played guard in the past and was initially brought in to play right guard for the G-Men. But with Neal recovering from ankle surgery and struggling to regain form, Eluemunor slid to right tackle to start the 2024 season, then moved to left tackle after Andrew Thomas went down with an injury. That’s when Neal reclaimed the right tackle spot to close the year.
It’s not just teammates showing belief in him. Former Giants linebacker and current WFAN radio analyst Carl Banks believes the move inside could be a career-saver. He even sees All-Pro potential at guard.
The team returns Jon Runyan and Greg Van Roten for their second seasons in New York, and while they were the starters in 2024, they aren’t locks to hold onto those spots. If Neal’s early confidence is any indication, it wouldn’t be a shock to see him win one of those starting jobs.
Like we said, there’s nothing better than a comeback story. And if Evan Neal finds his way back into the starting lineup, this time at guard, it would be a huge win for him and for this team. So far, so good.