Giants Advised Against Trading First-Round Disappointment for Minimal Returns

The New York Giants’ Current Trade Landscape

With the trade deadline looming ever closer, the New York Giants appear poised to be active participants, albeit as sellers. While interest amongst other teams has centred around pass rusher Azeez Ojulari, attention is also turning towards Evan Neal, a former first-round pick with potential untapped.

Neal, a young offensive lineman, once showcased his promising talent at Alabama just two years prior. For any team in need of bolstering their offensive line, Neal may represent a diamond in the rough — a developmental project with room to grow given the right environment. Indeed, a fresh start could well be what Neal needs to unlock his full capabilities.

Evan Neal’s Challenging Start with the Giants

Neal, now 24 years old, has endured a rocky road with the Giants thus far. This season, he’s barely featured on the field, managing a mere single snap. He lost the crucial right tackle spot to Jermaine Eluemunor, who was signed by the Giants on a $14 million deal for two years during the last off-season.

In examining Neal’s tenure, his time has been dogged by difficulties in pass protection, logging 1,323 snaps while allowing 81 pressures and 10 sacks. He’s also committed 12 penalties, numbers that belied his potential. Despite these struggles, some suggest his lack of success might be more attributed to developmental failings from the coaching staff rather than a lack of ability.

The team has opted to keep him mostly out of the spotlight this season. Instead, they are investing time in perfecting his fundamentals, aiming to provide Neal a stable platform to potentially blossom into a reliable player in due course.

Trading Neal: A Potentially Costly Decision for the Giants

The notion of trading Neal, especially given he was the seventh overall pick a mere two years ago, presents significant dilemmas for General Manager Joe Schoen. Reports confirm that while calls have been made about Neal’s availability, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler notes the Giants have been rather hesitant in pursuing any trades involving him.

True, trading Neal now might yield little more than a late-round draft pick, potentially seen as a step backward for Schoen. The Giants would ideally prefer to further nurture his talents instead of parting ways prematurely.

Long-Term Considerations for Neal’s Development

Given the investment the Giants have made in Neal, retaining him for another season could potentially prove more fruitful. Neal may yet grow into a valuable asset, either providing depth as a swing tackle or even filling in for injured players like Andrew Thomas. Tactically, exploring Neal’s potential surpasses short-term gains from a hasty trade.

Significantly, the Giants hold Neal’s fifth-year option, ensuring he remains a budget-friendly prospect for any team willing to invest the time needed for his progression. Indeed, such a strategic hold might just be the ticket for the Giants to maximise Neal’s true value.

The Giants’ Recent Draft Woes

Should Schoen decide to trade Neal for a mere late-round pick, it would be indicative of a worrying pattern: an inability to derive value from first-round picks. It would only exacerbate questions about the Giants’ competence in assembling a competitive roster via the draft.

Hence, it’s crucial for the Giants to better develop high-potential players such as Neal and eventually convert their promise into tangible success on the field. Ultimately, by nurturing talents effectively, the Giants can aim to defy recent erratic fortunes in the draft and re-establish a roster brimming with reliable talent.