National media outlet puts former New York Giants early round draft pick on 'bust alert'

A former New York Giants first round draft pick was put on "bust alert" this week by CBS Sports. 

CBS Sports' Cody Benjamin listed Giants offensive lineman Evan Neal among his nine NFL players that are on "bust alert" in 2025. 

Neal, a former Alabama Crimson Tide standout, was selected by the Giants with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. 

From CBS Sports: In many ways, Neal has been the face of the New York Giants' mostly porous offensive front since his arrival from Alabama, which initially brought plenty of promise. Injuries have torched his year-to-year availability, limiting him to 27 starts in his first three seasons, but he also made waves with frustrated fans in 2023 by suggesting he was above criticism. Neal apologized later, but his switch from tackle to guard ahead of 2025 indicates he's on his last opportunity to help Big Blue turn things around in the trenches.

While Benjamin has Neal firmly on his "bust alert list", he ultimately predicted that Neal "won't bust". 

New York declined Neal's fifth-year option, which means his move from tackle to guard this season is likely his last chance to prove that he can be an asset for the Giants. 

Neal is battling veteran offensive lineman Greg Van Roten for the starting right guard job this summer. 

"He's doing well so far," said offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo to the New York Post of Neal. "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. Throughout the NFL, plenty of guys have moved from tackle to guard, so we'll see how it goes."

Neal has some previous experience at right guard as he started 13 games at the position in 2019 at Alabama.