Giants keep ‘focus’ on Evan Neal at tackle as questions loom

Formerly seen as the Giants’ future right tackle, Evan Neal’s role is now being evaluated in the short term.

When asked about the possibility of moving Neal to guard for the final three games of the season to assess his fit on the offensive line next year, head coach Brian Daboll and offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo emphasized focusing on the upcoming game against Atlanta.

“Our focus is on Atlanta this week,” Daboll stated. “We move a lot of people around [in practice]. But we’re really focused on him playing right tackle this game. But you never know.”

The Giants plan to have Andrew Thomas at left tackle and Jermaine Eluemunor at right tackle next season.

The team still needs to address the starting right guard position (with Greg Van Roten set to become a free agent) and the swing tackle role.

“Evan is improving at the right tackle spot and we’ll keep working at it to see where it goes from there,” Bricillo commented. “Evan is a big, strong guy with the capability of being versatile. We want to determine his best position and are playing through that process.”

Neal initially spent the first nine games on the bench before being inserted into the lineup following Thomas’ injury. In his five starts, he has allowed 12 pressures and two sacks, showing signs of improvement. However, scouts caution that he tends to be on the ground too often and has issues with balance.

“I’m not interested in what people outside the building say,” Bricillo stated.

Former Jets first-round pick Mekhi Becton successfully transitioned from a tackle plagued by injuries to a dominant guard in his first season with the Eagles.

Similar to Becton, Neal resisted a position change in New York but eventually lost his starting job to Eluemunor while recovering from foot surgery.

Can the Giants avoid a potential missed opportunity by proactively exploring Neal’s versatility?

Neal played one season at left guard during his tenure at Alabama.

“For myself, it’s about focusing on the present week,” Bricillo emphasized. “I understand front offices need to plan ahead, but our priority is winning this week. It’s challenging enough to navigate each day without worrying about the future.”

QB Tommy DeVito has cleared the concussion protocol and will serve as the backup to starter Drew Lock in the upcoming game against the Falcons.

Former Giants QB Daniel Jones surprised his former offensive linemen with bottles of Clase Azul tequila for Christmas, as reported by ESPN.

Jones started 10 games before being benched, released, and subsequently signed with the Vikings practice squad.

It is customary for the starting quarterback to gift the offensive line during Christmas, but with the revolving door of quarterbacks for the Giants, the responsibility was uncertain.

LB Bobby Okereke (back), LB Patrick Johnson (knee), and OG Aaron Stinnie (concussion) have been ruled out for the upcoming game.

CB Greg Stroman (shoulder/shin) is listed as doubtful.

CB Deonte Banks (rib), OLB Brian Burns (ankle/neck), RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. (ankle), LB Dyontae Johnson (ankle), and C Austin Schlottman (fibular) are questionable.