Evan Neal: NFL Draft| Contract| Stats| College| Madden rating

Evan Neal NFL Draft: When Was He Selected?

Evan Neal entered the NFL with enormous expectations after starring at Alabama. The New York Giants selected the offensive lineman seventh overall in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft.

Neal was the second offensive lineman selected that year, going immediately after Carolina Panthers tackle Ikem Ekwonu. The Giants viewed Neal as a potential long-term cornerstone on their offensive line.

At Alabama, Neal demonstrated the versatility and physical tools that made him a top-10 prospect. He played multiple positions along the offensive line, giving NFL teams confidence that he could adapt at the professional level.

However, his NFL career has not developed as expected. After several difficult seasons, the Giants released Neal during their 2026 roster cuts, ending his tenure with the organization that drafted him.

Evan Neal College Career at Alabama

Before entering the NFL, Evan Neal played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Neal was a highly regarded recruit and became one of Alabama’s most versatile offensive linemen. During his three seasons, he played left guard, right tackle and left tackle.

His Alabama career included:

• 41 games played
• 41 starts
• 13 starts at left guard in 2019
• 12 starts at right tackle in 2020
• 15 starts at left tackle in 2021
• First-team All-SEC honors
• Second-team AP All-American honors in 2021

He was also selected as a permanent Alabama team captain for the 2021 season. The Giants’ draft profile highlighted his experience against elite competition, athleticism, length and ability to play different offensive-line positions.

His size was another major attraction. Neal entered the NFL at roughly 6-foot-7 and 340 pounds, giving him the massive frame teams traditionally look for in an offensive tackle.

Evan Neal NFL Stats

Neal’s NFL statistics are different from those of skill-position players because offensive linemen are primarily evaluated through starts, snaps and blocking performance rather than traditional offensive statistics.

According to Pro Football Reference, Neal finished his Giants career with:

All 27 of Neal’s NFL starts came at right tackle. He also started two playoff games during his rookie season.

Neal started 13 games as a rookie in 2022. He then played seven games and started seven in 2023, followed by nine appearances and seven starts in 2024. He did not appear in a regular-season game in 2025 after injuries and a position transition affected his campaign.

What Happened to Evan Neal?

Neal’s NFL career became increasingly complicated after his first two seasons.

The Giants initially drafted him to be a premier right tackle. Injuries and inconsistent play limited his development, however, and the team eventually explored moving him inside to guard.

The position switch was intended to give Neal another opportunity to use his size and power. Unfortunately, he did not play during the 2025 regular season and was placed on injured reserve in November with a hamstring injury.

Despite those setbacks, New York gave Neal another chance in 2026. The Giants re-signed him in March on a one-year deal and allowed him to compete for a role under new head coach John Harbaugh.

That opportunity ultimately ended when the Giants cut Neal as they finalized their 53-man roster on August 30, 2026.

Evan Neal Contract

Evan Neal’s original rookie contract came after the Giants selected him seventh overall in 2022.

His four-year rookie contract was worth approximately $24.55 million, according to Over The Cap. The deal carried an average annual value of about $6.14 million, with the full rookie contract guaranteed.

After the Giants declined his fifth-year option, Neal became an unrestricted free agent following the 2025 season.

New York nevertheless brought him back in March 2026 on a one-year minimum-salary contract. Over The Cap lists the 2026 deal at $1.215 million.

Evan Neal Career Earnings

Over The Cap lists Neal’s career earnings at approximately $24.55 million from his NFL contracts. His rookie deal accounted for virtually all of that figure before his 2026 contract.

The 2026 season represented a much different financial situation for Neal. Instead of entering the year under a lucrative first-round rookie contract, he was attempting to rebuild his career on a one-year deal.

Evan Neal Madden Rating

Evan Neal is rated 73 overall in Madden NFL 27, according to EA Sports’ official ratings database. He is listed as a right guard rather than a right tackle.

His Madden NFL 27 profile includes several notable ratings:

• Overall: 73
• Strength: 91
• Speed: 75
• Acceleration: 78
• Injury: 92
• Run Block: 79
• Pass Block: 68
• Impact Blocking: 87
• Run Block Power: 81
• Pass Block Power: 75

His 91 strength rating reflects the physical power that made Neal such an attractive prospect coming out of Alabama. His 79 run-block rating and 87 impact-blocking rating also indicate that Madden still recognizes his physical ability as an offensive lineman.

Interestingly, Neal’s Madden NFL 27 rating remains at 73 overall, the same overall rating listed for Madden NFL 26. His rating has declined significantly from his Madden NFL 23 rookie rating of 77.

Why Did Evan Neal’s NFL Career Fall Short?

Neal’s career is a good example of how difficult it can be to translate college success into the NFL.

At Alabama, he had excellent size, versatility and experience against elite SEC competition. The Giants’ pre-draft evaluation also emphasized his athleticism, body control and ability to use his length effectively.

In the NFL, though, injuries and inconsistency prevented him from establishing himself as the reliable starting tackle the Giants envisioned.

The move to guard was an attempt to find a better position for his skill set. But injuries and limited playing time prevented that experiment from developing fully.

The Giants ultimately moved on after Neal failed to make the team’s 2026 roster. Reuters reported that his Giants career ended with 29 regular-season appearances and 27 starts, plus two postseason starts.

What Is Next for Evan Neal?

The Giants’ decision does not necessarily mean the end of Neal’s NFL career.

At just 25 years old, Neal remains an intriguing reclamation candidate for teams looking for offensive-line depth. His experience as a first-round pick, Alabama background, massive frame and positional versatility could attract another organization.

The Washington Commanders were already identified as one team that could consider Neal following roster cuts, particularly because of their need for offensive-line depth.

For Neal, the next opportunity will likely be about proving that he can stay healthy, improve his consistency and turn his physical gifts into dependable NFL production.

Evan Neal FAQs

What pick was Evan Neal in the NFL Draft?

The New York Giants selected Evan Neal with the seventh overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Where did Evan Neal go to college?

Evan Neal played college football at the University of Alabama, where he started at three different offensive-line positions.

What is Evan Neal’s Madden rating?

Evan Neal has a 73 overall rating in Madden NFL 27. EA Sports lists him as a right guard.

What was Evan Neal’s original NFL contract?

Neal signed a four-year rookie contract worth approximately $24.55 million after being selected seventh overall by the Giants in 2022.

How many NFL games has Evan Neal played?

Neal appeared in 29 regular-season games and started 27 during his Giants career.

Is Evan Neal still with the Giants?

No. The Giants released Neal on August 30, 2026, while finalizing their 53-man roster.

Final Takeaway

Evan Neal’s journey from a dominant Alabama offensive lineman to the seventh overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft has been filled with challenges. His $24.55 million rookie contract, 27 NFL starts and 73 Madden NFL 27 rating show the different stages of his professional career.

The Giants eventually moved Neal from tackle toward guard, but injuries and inconsistent play limited his opportunities. After re-signing with New York on a one-year deal in 2026, he was released before the regular season.

Now a free agent, Neal’s next NFL opportunity could determine whether the former top-10 pick can turn his considerable physical talent into a second chance at establishing himself in the league.