New York Giants fans don't need to be reminded of the all-time draft bust that offensive lineman Evan Neal has become. We can let that wound heal.
Mike Renner of CBS Sports isn't quite ready to let the criticism die. In a recent ranking of all 191 first-round NFL Draft picks made since 2020, excluding the 32 selections made in 2026, he placed Neal 185th.
At this point, there's no defending the colossal draft miss.
Giants fans just got another brutal reminder of Joe Scheon's Evan Neal draft miss
Joe Schoen became the general manager of the Giants in January of 2022. He entered his first draft with two top-ten selections, using them on Kayvon Thibodeaux and Neal. While the jury is still out on the fifth-year edge rusher, a verdict has long been reached on Neal.
The hulking offensive tackle allowed 71 pressures in his first 22 starts. He was immediately one of the worst tackles in the league, especially as a pass-blocker, and never showed significant improvement.
He has dealt with injuries throughout his young career, missing significant time in both the 2023 and 2024 seasons. Knee and hamstring issues have kept him sidelined too often for him to regain his standing in Big Blue's offense. He didn't play a snap in 2025, dealing with hamstring, back, and neck injuries.
Make no mistake, though. This pick wasn't a failure because of injuries. The offensive tackle has been unplayable throughout his career, even when healthy.
Neal has since been moved to guard and relegated to the bench. While he returned to New York on a one-year deal this offseason, he's not expected to make the final roster. Schoen's second pick in charge will go down as one of the worst selections in franchise history.
He may end up on a practice squad this season, but the former top-ten pick has likely started his final game in the NFL.
The Giants have managed to build a competent offensive line without him. Jermaine Eluemunor's move outside to right tackle has helped soften the blow of whiffing on Neal. With a strong tackle duo and rookie Francis Mauigoa boosting the interior, the G-Men will have a solid offensive line in front of Jaxson Dart in 2026.
If things go according to plan, the line will be good enough for Giants fans to finally forget about the disaster that the neal draft pick has become.
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