The New York Giants won’t say it out loud, but there’s one camp battle that probably means a little more behind the scenes than they're letting on. Not exactly because of the position itself—right guard isn’t exactly a headline spot—but because of who’s involved.
This is Evan Neal’s last shot to make something of himself in New York. The seventh overall pick in 2022 is no longer being evaluated as a starting tackle. He’s been moved inside, rotated with Greg Van Roten, and asked to prove he can stick. And as much as this competition is being framed as wide open, let’s not pretend Joe Schoen isn’t rooting for one specific outcome.
Related: Giants’ long-awaited fix for Evan Neal is finally getting put to the test
Neal was part of Schoen’s first draft class. He was supposed to be the long-term solution across from Andrew Thomas. He was supposed to lock down the right side and give the G-Men two elite anchors. That never happened. Neal struggled in pass protection, looked lost in space, and dealt with injuries that kept him from ever settling into a rhythm.
After three years, New York finally pulled the plug on the tackle experiment — and this position switch feels more like a lifeline than a reset.
Evan Neal sticking at right guard would do a lot for Joe Schoen
There are a few reasons this battle matters beyond just the names involved. First, there’s no guarantee the offensive line holds up as constructed.
Andrew Thomas has dealt with injuries. John Michael-Schmitz is still struggling. And the right guard spot is clearly up for grabs. Van Roten held it down last year and gave the team some needed versatility, but he also led the team in pressures allowed and is already 35. He’s steady, but he’s not the ideal solution.
That’s where Neal still holds some value — if the transition actually sticks. Despite all the issues at tackle, he finished 2024 with an 80.8 run-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus. That’s not nothing.
The idea is that, inside, the footwork won’t get exposed as much, and the physical tools he was drafted for can finally show up in a way that actually helps this team. If that happens, it’s a win for the line, a win for the staff, and honestly, a massive win for Schoen, who badly needs to salvage something from that pick.
Nobody’s saying this is make-or-break for the front office. That ship sailed long ago. But Neal’s success at guard would go a long way toward softening the blow of what’s already been a disappointing start to his career. And if it works, it stabilizes a line that hasn’t had much of it in recent years.
Schoen won’t say it publicly. He doesn’t have to. The Giants are giving Neal every chance to take the job from GVR... and for good reason.