Former Bama OT Will Be Put to the Test this Saturday
With the seventh pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, the New York Giants selected Evan Neal, an offensive tackle out of Alabama.
He was immediately thrown into the starting lineup for the Giants this season. Although he was out for four games with a sprained medial collateral ligament, he has still showed why he was a top 10 pick in this year's draft.
At Alabama, Neal was selected as a permanent team captain during the 2021 season as well as a consensus first team All-American by the AFCA, FWAA, The Sporting News and Walter Camp. He was very versatile on the offensive line as he started 13 games at left guard in 2019, 12 games at right tackle in 2020 and 15 games at left tackle in 2021.
He will face the biggest task since breaking into the NFL this Saturday as the Giants take on the Eagles in the Divisional Round at Lincoln Financial Field, with the winner looking to punch their ticket to the NFC Championship game.
Philadelphia had the best pass rush in the NFL this season as they tallied 70 sacks, which is 15 more than any other team had during the regular season.
“They have good players all across the board, so their coaches let those guys rush. They run some twist games. They pressure, but, really, they have good players, so they let their good players eat. And as I study those guys, having that in-game experience against them is going to be able to help me prepare," said Neal in an interview after the Giants' 22-16 loss to the Eagles during the last week of the regular season.
"At the end of the game, whatever the outcome is, I want to be able to look at myself in the mirror and know I gave it my all,” said Neal, making it clear that he is up for the challenge and is ready to do everything he can to help his team move on to the NFC Championship.