Giants’ offensive line signings could be ominous sign for Evan Neal

The New York Giants added two offensive linemen on Day 1 of free agency’s legal tampering period on Monday when they signed guard Jon Runyon Jr. of the Green Bay Packers and Las Vegas Raiders’ guard/tackle Jermaine Eluemunor.

It looks as if Runyon will be the right guard but where they put Eluemunor — who can play both guard and tackle — is still unknown.

Eluemunor played mainly tackle for the Raiders last year, where current Giants offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo was the position coach.

So, what does that mean for current right tackle Evan Neal? Are the Giants putting him “on notice,” or have they already moved on from him and are giving him one last shot to prove his first-round pedigree?

Think it’s entirely possible the #Giants offensive line looks like this at some point this season:

LT Andrew Thomas
LG Evan Neal
C John Michael Schmitz
RG Jon Runyan Jr.
RT Jermaine Eluemunor

— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) March 12, 2024

In ESPN’s Jordan Raanan’s mockup, Neal is bumped from right tackle to left guard, a move general manager Joe Schoen has been unwilling to entertain publicly.

Eluemunor is at right tackle, which is telling given the relationship with Bricillo and his way of doing things. The Giants appear to be willing to give Neal, who was selected seventh overall out of Alabama in 2022, as many chances as he needs to shed the ‘bust’ label after two disappointing seasons.

Neal’s durability is also a factor in the Giants’ decision to add insurance/replacement pieces. He has played in just 20 of the Giants’ 34 regular season games since joining the team due to injuries.