Evan Neal 2022 NFL Draft Profile: Everything you need to know about Giants pick

Here's an in-depth look at newest Giant Evan Neal, whom Big Blue took with the seventh overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.

By the Numbers

- Height: 6-foot-7 1/2
- Weight: 337 pounds
- 40-yard dash: 5.60 seconds (in high school)
- Vertical jump: 22.7 inches (in high school)
- Stats: 38 starts over three seasons at three positions. He had 13 games at left guard (2019), 12 games at right tackle (2020), and,13 games at left tackle (2021)
- Accolades & Awards: Consensus First-Team All-American in 2021 by AFCA, FWAA, The Sporting News, and Walter Camp. 2019 Freshman All-America

Prospect Overview

The Draft Network: Neal uses his massive frame and power to move defenders off the line of scrimmage when run blocking. Neal excels at playing in a phone booth and uses his weight to wear defenders down. In his pass sets, he uses his body mass and length to force defenders to run around him and out of the way of the quarterback.... Neal has the natural skill set of a right tackle but seems more comfortable at left tackle. This versatility will give more value throughout the draft process and make him a day-one starter in the NFL.

NFL.com: Neal has some blemishes, but it's hard to find players who possess his combination of size, length and quickness. He plays with a nasty temperament and solid overall awareness. I believe there's a happy medium where he can maintain his violent play style while demonstrating a little more body control to avoid falling off blocks. He has the skill set of a 10-year starting right tackle.

Why Neal makes sense

With a new GM in place for Big Blue in Joe Schoen, it's a top priority for him to fix the offensive line -- for good this time. Dave Gettleman promised he’d build the trenches, but after four years, that was not the case.

Neal was once a favorite to go No. 1, so this can be looked at as a huge steal. He’s a versatile lineman, having played both tackle positions and left guard in his college career. That proves how athletic he can be on the field and smart in the film room to learn his assignments year after year.

Plus, Nate Solder is gone, and Matt Peart hasn’t been able to crack the starting lineup despite the line’s struggles throughout the year.

With Andrew Thomas planted at left tackle and showing big improvements compared to his rookie year, he should stay at that position for the time being. Neal immediately fits at right tackle and again, has the ability to move around if needed.

Also worth noting: Some scouting reports praise his run blocking compared to pass blocking. That could go a long way for Saquon Barkley, who will be on his fifth-year option with New York.

NFL Comp

- The Draft Network: Ravens T Orlando Brown
- NFL.com: Former Chargers T Marcus McNeill