Giants fans aren’t buying premature Francis Mauigoa-Evan Neal comparison (yet)

New York Giants fans have spent the better part of the past four years trying to forget the Evan Neal experience, so you can imagine how thrilled Big Blue Nation was to see rookie offensive lineman Francis "Sisi" Mauigoa’s name appear alongside Neal's in a particularly unfortunate -- and engagement-farming -- Pro Football Focus comparison.

Spoiler alert: They weren’t.

Six weeks into the season, the 2026 No. 10 overall pick is struggling to find his footing at right guard. Unfortunately, watching a highly drafted offensive lineman struggle is becoming a pretty familiar sight in North Jersey.

And while the numbers suggest Big Blue might have another top-10 offensive line problem on its hands, Giants fans aren’t exactly picking up what PFF is putting down.

Giants fans aren’t ready to put Francis Mauigoa in Evan Neal territory (and neither should you)

According to the numbers making the rounds on social media, Mauigoa and Neal are the only first-round rookie offensive linemen since 2006 to record both a sub-50 overall PFF grade and a sub-50 run-blocking grade through six weeks (minimum 250 snaps):

Mauigoa currently owns a truly ugly 46.4 overall grade, ranking 72nd among 76 qualified guards. His 49.7 run-blocking grade ranks 67th, while his 40.0 pass-blocking grade comes in 69th. He’s also allowed 13 pressures and four QB hits, so it’s not like the concerns are coming out of nowhere. He has definitely struggled to acclimate.

But good luck convincing Giants fans they’re watching Evan Neal 2.0. One user replied:

“We honestly need to stop with the PFF grades being the end-all, be-all; this is nonsense not even close to being comparable Evan Neal was horrible."

Another wasn’t having it, either: “Sisi has been good. PFF is just a joke.”

And perhaps the most reasonable response came from a fan who pointed out that Sisi is still learning a new position:

“When you actually watch the games, he struggles sometimes but for the most part he’s been solid. He’s a rookie playing in a different position than what he’s use to. He’s going to be fine.”

That last part matters. Mauigoa spent his college career playing right tackle at Miami before New York moved him inside after acquiring the No. 10 pick in the Dexter Lawrence blockbuster trade. Going from manhandling smaller, more athletic pass rushers to bigger, stronger defensive tackles isn’t exactly a walk in the park, even for a 6-foot-6, 330-pounder.

And it’s not like the rest of New York’s offensive line is doing him many favors either. Jon Runyan Jr. is playing terribly, Andrew Thomas has been working through a groin injury, and Jermaine Eluemunor missed Week 6 with a calf issue.

Still, I’m not about to pretend Mauigoa has been good just because some fans don’t like the PFF model. His Week 6 performance against New Orleans was rough, and the Giants didn’t spend a top-10 pick on him to rank near the bottom of the league in practically every category. He needs to be better.

But six games? I’ve seen high school students with longer résumés than that.

Thomas didn't exactly set the world on fire as a rookie, and we all know how he has turned out. Mauigoa is still only 21 and has time to figure things out.

The Evan Neal comparison makes for a pretty terrifying and admittedly rage-baity/juicy post, especially for a fan base that’s already been through enough offensive line disasters. But I’m willing to give Sisi more than six weeks before adding another name to the Giants’ draft bust list.

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