Jul 30, 2026; White Sulphur Springs, WV, USA; A New York Giants helmet sits on a table after practice during training camp at The Greenbrier Resort Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images
The New York Giants have officially moved on from one of the biggest NFL draft disappointments in recent franchise history.
Giants are releasing OL Evan Neal, the former No. 7 overall pick, as @art_stapleton reported. pic.twitter.com/vTtvFwx9t3
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 30, 2026
New York is releasing offensive lineman Evan Neal, the former No. 7 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, ending his four-year run with the organization.
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Neal never lived up to expectations
Aug 4, 2025; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants offensive tackle Evan Neal (73) on the field during training camp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
The Giants selected Neal seventh overall with the expectation that he would become a cornerstone of their offensive line. Instead, injuries and inconsistent play derailed his career almost immediately.
Neal played in just 29 regular-season games with 27 starts during his time in New York. He started all 13 games he played as a rookie, but never established himself as a reliable long-term option at right tackle.
The Giants eventually tried moving him inside to guard in an effort to salvage his career. New head coach John Harbaugh gave Neal another opportunity this offseason, with the team re-signing him to a one-year deal after declining his fifth-year option.
Unfortunately for Neal, that final opportunity didn’t work out.
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Another failed first-round pick for New York
East Rutherford, NJ — August 24, 2024 — Evan Neal of the Giants before the game. The New York Giants and New York Jets meet at MetLife Stadium in the final preseason game of the 2024 season for both teams.
Neal’s departure adds another disappointing chapter to the Giants’ 2022 draft class.
New York selected Kayvon Thibodeaux fifth overall and Neal seventh overall that year, hoping to land two foundational players. While Thibodeaux has had his own ups and downs, Neal’s career has been particularly difficult to salvage.
The Giants also made significant changes to their offensive line this offseason, including drafting Francis Mauigoa at No. 10 overall and adding veteran depth. Neal was unable to force his way into the team’s plans despite transitioning to guard.
Neal is still only 25 years old and has the physical profile that made him such a highly regarded prospect coming out of Alabama. At 6-foot-7 and 340 pounds, another NFL team could certainly decide that a change of scenery and a different coaching staff might unlock something the Giants never could.
But for New York, the experiment is officially over.