The New York Giants are attempting to reposition Evan Neal, their 2022 seventh-overall draft pick, from right tackle to left guard in hopes of maximizing their investment, but veteran guard Greg Van Roten has cautioned that this switch will be a difficult adjustment. Speaking with reporters during OTAs on May 28, Van Roten highlighted the challenges Neal will face adapting to the faster, more complex interior line play in the NFL.
Inside Play Demands Quicker Reactions and Greater Awareness
Greg Van Roten, who started every game last season for the Giants, explained that guard play requires handling faster-paced action against bigger defensive players. He said,
“inside, things happen faster. The guys are bigger and there’s a lot of moving parts. So if a defense is static it’s easy to play guard, but they’re not static, they’re very dynamic, and that’s probably one of the challenges that goes kind of under the radar. How fast things can happen and how many things you need to be able to process in a short period of time.”
—Greg Van Roten, Right Guard
Van Roten also shared advice from former Giants Super Bowl-winning center Shaun O’Hara to describe the mental demands inside the line:
“So whereas tackles, I think Shaun O’Hara said, you know, they’re kind of the right side or the left side of the highway, and they’re kind of worried about what’s going on over there. When you’re in the middle, there’s a lot more you kind of have to take in a short period of time and it’s not easy.”
—Greg Van Roten, Right Guard
These insights emphasize why Neal’s transition from the edge to the interior is far from straightforward despite hopes that his size might better suit the left guard role and hide some footwork inconsistencies.
Switching to Guard Won’t Mask Challenges Against Athletic Interior Defenders
Since entering the NFL, Evan Neal has struggled to counter speedy pass rushers on the outside, and moving to left guard is intended to shift him away from those matchups. However, Van Roten warned that the nature of defensive linemen inside has evolved significantly, making this move no guaranteed solution.
He remarked,
“the ability that you see that these defensive linemen these days, they’re not these big fat slugs anymore. They’re very athletic, dynamic.”
—Greg Van Roten, Right Guard
These elite interior defenders are part of the NFC East’s dominant defensive front, including Philadelphia Eagles’ Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis, Washington Commanders’ Daron Payne, and Dallas Cowboys’ Osa Odighizuwa. All have troubled the Giants in past seasons, indicating Neal will face stiff competition even if he adjusts well enough to earn a starting role inside.
Giants Maintain Depth Options Beyond Neal’s Position Shift
Recognizing the uncertainty surrounding Neal’s left guard transition, the Giants are not relying solely on this experiment as a foundation for their offensive line. While Neal has been working at left guard in OTAs, veteran Jon Runyan Jr. is expected to remain the starter. Van Roten will continue anchoring the right side, while lesser-known players provide additional depth.
Among these are Jake Kubas, an undrafted player from last season who has impressed at left guard, and a promising fifth-round draft pick from this year poised to contribute. Neal’s experience playing guard at Alabama gives him some familiarity with the position, yet the 24-year-old must absorb as much guidance as possible to succeed inside the NFL’s demanding trenches.
The Giants’ cautious approach reflects both the complexity of the guard role and the quality of defensive opponents they face weekly, underscoring why Van Roten’s warning carries considerable weight for Neal’s future development.