The New York Giants have successfully hit on some of their early first-round picks over the years when they were downright abysmal, including Malik Nabers, Abdul Carter, Arvell Reese, and Jaxson Dart. One they whiffed badly on was Evan Neal, who looked like their next stud offensive tackle after playing some great football for Alabama.
Instead, Neal became the next coming of Ereck Flowers, looking completely lost most times and proving to be unable to stop incoming defensive pressure. Even a switch to guard didn't work out. As a result, he was cut by the end of training camp this year.
Neal wound up with the Las Vegas Raiders as part of their practice squad, but was recently released. It didn't take long for him to get another chance, though, and Giants fans can't help but smirk at his landing in Philly.
On Wednesday, the rival Philadelphia Eagles brought in Neal for a workout, and on Thursday, they officially signed him to their practice squad.
Eagles are so desperate for O-line help, they signed Evan Neal
This is the part where Giants fans throw their heads back and laugh.
While the Giants are in first place despite their season being far from perfect, the Eagles are enduring an even worse campaign. They are already without quarterback Jalen Hurts for the rest of the season due to a blood clot issue. Then, there's the offensive line, which is in shambles due to Landon Dickerson's knee injury, Lane Johnson's retirement, and Cam Jurgens being traded to the Baltimore Ravens.
The offensive line has been the main reason why the Eagles have been great in recent years, as it has given Hurts time in the pocket and protection on quarterback sneaks, while also opening up lanes for former Giants running back Saquon Barkley. Now, that identity is gone.
Could Giants see Evan Neal suit up for Eagles in Week 9?
The Giants and Eagles are set to meet up in Week 9, when New York returns from their bye. Could they see Neal line up at guard in the game? It's too early to tell.
For Neal, he is basically a depth piece or an emergency option in case they need a guard active in the lineup on game day. Even if he were active, would he turn things around? Probably not, especially since Philadelphia doesn't have offensive line guru Jeff Stoutland to work his wonders as he did with former first-round bust Mekhi Becton a couple of years ago.
If Neal were to be active for that matchup, it would be must-see television to see how he would hold up blocking against the likes of Abdul Carter or even Arvell Reese? Good luck.
Look, sometimes top prospects don't pan out the way fans and experts anticipated. Who could have seen Neal being awful at the NFL level when he shined at Alabama? Certainly not us.
While Neal didn't live up to being the seventh-overall pick, he frankly didn't do himself any favors by calling Giants fans "sheep" for booing him in 2023 (which he did apologize for). But Big Blue Nation wants to see results, and they just didn't get them from him.
It will be something to see Neal blocking for Barkley again, but in Eagles uniforms. Talk about whiplash.
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