With the 2026 season on the horizon, the New York Giants must prepare themselves for tough decisions. Compared to years past, the team has depth across the board. That means some well-known players could be cut this offseason. For one offensive lineman, making the 53-man roster would be somewhat of a miracle. The Giants’ Evan Neal is a serious candidate to be cut ahead of the 2026 season.
Along with drafting two offensive linemen and adding depth through free agency, New York is well-rounded up front. As of late June, Neal is a third-string guard on the team’s 2026 depth chart. Barring unforeseen injuries or Neal drastically improving, his days with the Giants are surely numbered. What does the future hold for the 25-year-old?
Giants’ Evan Neal Will Almost Certainly be Cut
How did Neal get his start with New York?
For three seasons, Evan Neal played collegiately at the University of Alabama. He won a National Championship with the Crimson Tide in 2020 and was named an All-American in 2021. At six-foot-seven, 340 pounds, Neal had the physical size and tools to be a difference-maker at the next level. With the seventh overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft, the Giants selected Neal out of Alabama. As a rookie, Neal started all 13 games he appeared in for New York.
He missed four games in 2022 due to a Grade 2 MCL sprain. Unfortunately, injuries have remained a constant over his four-year NFL career. Giants’ Evan Neal has played 16 games over the last three seasons. Ahead of 2025, New York moved Neal to right guard. It was the team’s last-ditch effort to try to save his career. Neck and hamstring injuries prevented Neal from seeing the field in 2025. He appeared in zero games last season for New York.
Has Evan Neal been replaced?
After declining his fifth-year option, the Giants let Neal become a free agent this offseason. However, the team re-signed him to a one-year, $1.215 million contract. It’s worth noting that there was no guaranteed money in that deal. The 25-year-old is on a prove-it deal with the Giants, but there is a chance he doesn’t make the 2026 roster.
New York attempted to move Neal to right guard, but with no luck. Instead, they drafted Francis “Sisi” Mauigoa out of Miami. Much like Neal, Mauigoa played right tackle in college. Instead of waiting, the team is moving Mauigoa to right guard immediately. Certainly a strategic move by New York. Perhaps they do not want to risk running into a similar situation as they did with Neal.
What other depth pieces have the Giants added to their offensive line?
Drafting Mauigoa 10th overall was a key move this offseason for New York. The 20-year-old is set to be a long-term starter for the Giants. Additionally, the team added offensive line depth by selecting J.C. Davis out of Illinois. Davis played tackle in college, but he is expected to cross-train at guard for the Giants.
New York signed veteran offensive lineman Lucas Patrick to a one-year, $1.48 million contract this offseason. The 32-year-old was with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2025. Patrick appeared in six games and made one start. Another depth piece added to the Giants’ offensive line was Daniel Faalele. He was a fourth-round pick by the Baltimore Ravens out of Minnesota.
Faalele followed his former head coach, John Harbaugh, to New York. The 26-year-old started his career at tackle but has since moved to guard. Marcus Mbow was a fifth-round pick by the Giants in 2025. As a rookie, Mbow appeared in 13 of their 17 games and made three starts. New York has depth on their offensive line, and Neal is on the chopping block. Will he make the 53-man roster?
