Giants Deliver Unsurprising News on First-Round Pick

The NFL Draft is a football holiday, filled with tradition, celebration, and the culmination of so many dreams. It’s a time to be recklessly optimistic as teams usher themselves into their next era and embark on a journey where everyone has a clean slate.

It’s also an opportunity to reflect on past drafts, which means coming to terms with mistakes of years past. For New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen, the 2025 NFL Draft was his fourth. As such, the first-round picks from his first draft class are eligible to have their fifth-year options accepted.

Edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux learned shortly after Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter was picked third overall that his option would be accepted. Right tackle Evan Neal, taken two picks after Thibodeaux, will have a different fate.

On Saturday, the Giants officially said they will decline the fifth-year option for first-round bust Evan Neal, per Dan Duggan.

Neal, taken seventh overall, was about as sure of a prospect as Schoen could have hoped to find. Yet, injuries took hold, and combined with his inconsistencies, Neal never panned out.

He lost his starting job to veteran Jermaine Eluemunor in 2024, and while he found some playing time, his struggles continued. The Giants were noncommittal on his future throughout the offseason and into draft weekend, and fifth-round pick Marcus Mbow only adds to the hurdles Neal will have to overcome to be a prioritized piece of the second-string offensive line.

Mbow is an athletic tackle prospect who may ultimately move to guard due to his short arms, but for now will work at tackle. That’s one less spot for Neal to earn, and an indication that he may be pushed inside before the rookie.

Neal’s run blocking and short-area athleticism make that shift possible. Moving positions is never easy, though, and several of his flaws in pass protection can follow him to guard.

Working in his favor, even entering Year 4, is his status as a first-round pick. Cutting him at any point this season will cost the Giants just under $8 million in dead cap, with no cap savings. In declining his option, New York is ensuring that he’ll be a free agent after the upcoming season, barring a less expensive extension.

In the meantime, Neal figures to compete with Mbow, Josh Ezeudu, Jake Kubas, Stone Forsythe, and Aaron Stinnie on the depth chart.