New York Giants offensive lineman Evan Neal is not off to a great start to his NFL career. He was the seventh overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft out of Alabama. A lot of Giants fans already think that Neal is a bust and should be benched.
However, general manager Joe Schoen thinks that he could be the starting right tackle this season. During the offseason, the Giants decided to make a change with the offensive line coach. They fired Bobby Johnson and brought in Carmen Bricillo to be the new offensive line coach.
Bricillo was the Las Vegas Raiders offensive line coach last season. Las Vegas had an average offensive line, but that is all the New York Giants really need. During OTAs on Thursday, he met with the media to talk about Evan Neal. Bricillo said:
“Don’t judge a player when they’re young and don’t judge a player when they’re injured.”
He also noted that the offensive line is a “developmental” position. Things could change for Evan Neal in 2024, but time will tell.
Pro Football Focus Lists New York Giants Offensive Line Evan Neal As An X-Factor Entering the 2024 Season
Jim Wyman and Dalton Wasserman of Pro Football Focus mentioned an x-factor for the upcoming 2024 season on each team. For the Giants, they have offensive tackle Evan Neal on that list. The reasoning they gave was as follows:
“Evan Neal’s struggles are emblematic of the Giants’ offensive line struggles as a whole. He has posted just a 42.5 overall grade through his first two seasons. 2024 is a make-or-break year for Neal, and there could be pressure on him to perform early in the season, with Jermaine Eluemunor fully capable of starting at right tackle in his stead.”
Eluemunor was with the New England Patriots last season. The New York Giants offensive line was by far the biggest weakness on the roster. Evan Neal missed several games last season because of an ankle injury. He has to show improvement in 2024 or the Giants fanbase will continue to call him a bust.
Jki 102322 Giants Jags Cp 13
