There weren't many surprises for the start of free agency for the New York Giants. They landed the expected free agents such as tight end Isaiah Likely and fullback Patrick Ricard from the Baltimore Ravens. There was one surprise in the form of cornerback Cor'Dale Flott leaving to join former head coach Brian Daboll with the Tennessee Titans.
But on Wednesday, the Giants made a move that even shocked beat reporters. AMDG Sports agency revealed that client Evan Neal was re-signing with the Giants. Yes, the 2022 first-round pick that didn't pan out as many had expected when he was once considered one of the top offensive tackles in that year's draft class, is returning.
Neal has new head coach John Harbaugh to thank for it. NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported that Harbaugh "is eager to work with" Neal and that he "sees untapped potential." With that, Harbaugh has his first big project as Giants head coach.
New #Giants HC John Harbaugh is eager to work with Evan Neal, I’m told. Sees untapped potential he, along with his coaching staff, can try to unearth. The seventh overall pick in 2022 is back to Big Blue. pic.twitter.com/EnhTS42FfK
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 11, 2026
Evan Neal is John Harbaugh's first big project as Giants head coach
Given Harbaugh's track record with the Ravens, Giants fans will have to give him the benefit of the doubt. Garafolo said that after reviewing tape, Harbaugh believed there are aspects to his game that he and his coaching staff can work with.
But with Neal, he has not panned out the way anyone had anticipated. The Giants, looking to find a right tackle of the future, drafted Neal with the seventh-overall pick. As a rookie, Neal allowed 39 pressures, 10 quarterback hits, and seven sacks, according to Pro Football Focus. In his second season, Neal was limited to just seven games due to an ankle injury. In that stretch of games, Neal alllowed 29 pressures, five quarterback hits, and two sacks in 460 snaps. In 2024, Neal allowed 17 pressures and two sacks on 459 snaps in nine games.
Neal wasn't even a factor on the Giants last season due in part to a hamstring injury. But with Jermaine Eluemunor shining since joining the team in 2024, Neal's spot at right tackle was gone. Considering the team declined the fifth-year option, and with Daboll being fired midway through the 2025 season, the expectation was that the Giants were going to move on.
Yet, the Giants decided to bring Neal back on the veteran minimum for the 2026 season. So there's not much of a gamble for Harbaugh to give Neal another shot. We'll see if Neal will slot in as a swing tackle or if Harbaugh will give him a shot as a right guard. Given Neal's track record on the field, he'll have to make the most of this clean slate.