Greg Van Roten imparting wisdom on Evan Neal in awkward Giants position battle

Greg Van Roten was a 28-year-old four-year veteran before he made his first NFL start, so excuse him if he laughs at the idea that the story of Evan Neal’s career already is written.

Neal, 24, doesn’t have to be a bust for the Giants. Not if the No. 7 pick in the 2022 draft takes to his new home at right guard after three underwhelming seasons at right tackle.

“It’s not easy to move inside, especially at this level,” Van Roten said after Tuesday’s walk-through. “I’m sure he’s been humbled. This is not, I’m sure, what he thought his career was going to be at this point. But sometimes it takes a while for guys to get going in the NFL. I think he is taking it in stride, and he could have a bright future if he keeps embracing it, working and trying to figure it out.”

Van Roten, 35, is in an awkward spot: He is trying to reclaim the job that he had last season – and did well enough in to be re-signed to a one-year, $3.75 million contract – by holding off Neal, while still imparting the wisdom he gained from making the same tackle-to-guard transition out of college. 

One of Neal’s main issues at tackle was balance and ending up on the ground too often.

“I couldn’t give you a time for how long it takes to feel comfortable,” Van Roten said, “because once you feel like you have one thing figured out, something else pops up. You have to be comfortable with being inexperienced, and maybe having some reps that don’t look great and learning from that.”

The Giants have rotated the two options within training-camp practices except for the two days that Van Roten was on excused paternity leave. Van Roten is listed as the starter on the unofficial preseason depth chart.

“I’ve played guard for a while so I can give him pointers on what’s helped me,” Van Roten said. “Obviously, we have different body types. I would be considered more of a technician inside because I’m not blessed with his strength, size and all that. He has tools that I don’t have that we’re just trying to get him to unlock.”

There has been clamoring within the fan base for the Giants to try Neal at right guard and move Van Roten to center to challenge third-year pro John Michael Schmitz.

Van Roten made two starts at the end of last season in place of an injured Schmitz, but Schmitz has delivered every first-team snap rep through 10 practices.

Head coach Brian Daboll doubled down Tuesday on his confidence in Schmitz, while Van Roten is devoting all his efforts to right guard.

“That’s kind of the value that I bring to a team – my position flexibility,” Van Roten said. “In the offseason, my preparation doesn’t change too much from year to year. If I finish the season healthy, if it aint broke, don’t fix it. I’m always snapping the ball and staying ready. Hopefully, I don’t need to be in there if I don’t have to be in there.”