Evan Neal
Getty
NY Giants OL Evan Neal
The Indianapolis Colts lost two of their top offensive linemen in the 2025 NFL Free Agency to the Minnesota Vikings. Once a solid position group, the O-line is now considered a questionable position for Indy.
Second-year player Tanor Bortolini will become the starting center, who is transitioning from the guard spot. Matt Goncalves is also making a position change, going to the right guard after initially being a tackle.
One NFL analyst believes the Colts can make a trade for a former first-round talent to help reinforce the offensive line.
Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox names the Colts as a potential landing spot for New York Giants offensive lineman Evan Neal.
“The New York Giants haven’t traded Evan Neal yet, but the 2022 first-round pick is probably out of chances to prove himself with them. He never developed into a reliable starter at tackle. This offseason, the Giants tried moving him to guard, but he couldn’t beat out Greg Van Roten for the job,” Knox wrote.
“Neal isn’t going to fill any team’s needs for an immediate starter, but he’s a 24-year-old (25 on September 19) project who might provide depth at multiple positions. He could find a market from teams that lack versatile depth and/or a long-term succession plan for an aging veteran… Given how far Neal’s stock has fallen, he isn’t likely to carry a substantial cost.”
If the Colts were to target Neal, Knox believes a conditional 2026 6th-round pick could get a trade to happen.
Evan Neal Could Revitalize Career
Evan Neal
GettyNew York Giants offensive lineman Evan Neal
The former 7th overall pick hasn’t had a good start to his career, with the lineman having yet to play a full season in his career.
The Giants declined Neal’s fifth-year option and will become a free agent. If Neal were to head to Indianapolis, he could use the team as a quick pit stop to help his career.
Having played at the tackle and guard spots in his career, he could provide good depth for the Colts’ line in case one of the team’s starting offensive linemen were to get hurt.
The former first-round talent, who turns 25 in a couple of weeks, can use a change of scenery and get help from five-time All-Pro lineman Quenton Nelson.
Won’t Be Center Of Attention
Daniel Jones
GettyDaniel Jones at Indianapolis Colts training camp
The main conversation of the Indianapolis Colts is on quarterbacks Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson.
While the light may shine on the offensive line at some point, there won’t be too much drawn to them.
As a former first-round talent, Neal could use the peace and develop instead of having the lights on him. A trade to the Colts (or other teams) could do just that.
“I’m just focused on playing football. I still have an opportunity in this league, and I’m grateful for that,” Neal said, via CBS Sports. “The acceptance part of it, that really was never in my head because at the end of the day, I’m just grateful to still be able to play the game that I love.”