Giants’ Evan Neal showing good early signs at new guard positions

The Giants are hoping a position change can tap into the talent that led them to use a top 10 draft pick on Evan Neal three years ago.

So far, so good for the former offensive tackle.

Throughout spring workouts, Neal has been working at both left and right guard, offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo said on the first day of mandatory minicamp.

Neal last played guard as a true freshman in college at Alabama, when he started all 13 games on the right side.

“He’s picked up things well inside,” coach Brian Daboll said. “You know, training camp will be an important time of the year for him as for all the offensive linemen.”

Especially for Neal.

The 24-year-old lineman’s future with Big Blue is uncertain.

In early May, the team declined his fifth-year option, which would have guaranteed him $17.54 million in 2026. Jon Runyan Jr. is the likely starter at left guard, and Neal will have to beat out veteran Greg Van Roten at the other spot.

The hope is Neal can follow in the footsteps of former failed offensive tackles like Ereck Flowers and Mekhi Becton, who experienced success as interior linemen after flopping at their original position.

“Excited to see when we put pads on what happens, but he’s embraced it, we’ve embraced it, it’s been good so far,” Bricillo said. “Throughout the NFL, plenty of guys have moved from tackle to guard, so we’ll see how it goes.”

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New starting quarterback Russell Wilson has been impressed by receiver Jalin Hyatt, the 2023 third-round pick who has yet to establish himself in the NFL.

Hyatt has put on an additional 15-20 pounds this offseason in hopes of a breakout season in his third year in the league.

Wilson believes it is on him to get the most out of Hyatt, who has been limited to 31 catches for 435 yards in his first two seasons with the Giants.

“I think that the biggest thing is just consistency that I can bring to him every day, too, and just making sure that I’m always giving him the extra opportunities down the field, but also not just down the field, but in any play we’ve got and spending extra time on the field,” Wilson said. “And he’s got a great work ethic, Jalin does, and I think he’s got a great grit to him. I think that he wants to be great every day, and he’s got all the special pieces to it all.”

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Left tackle Andrew Thomas is still working his way back from the Lisfranc injury to his right foot that ended his season after Week 6. The hope is he will be ready for training camp, according to Daboll.

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Inside linebacker Bobby Okereke hasn’t been seen on the field throughout the spring.

He missed the final five games of last year with a back injury, but Daboll doesn’t believe it is a long-term issue that he is dealing with.