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- Evan Neal is a very, very large man.
- Saquon Barkley, who will run behind him in 2022, had an incredible reaction to their first encounter.
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With the No. 7 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, the Giants decided to improve its abysmal offensive line. To do so, New York selected offensive tackle Evan Neal out of the University of Alabama.
Neal, a former five-star prospect out of Florida, is massive. The 21-year-old stands 6-foot-7, 337 pounds.
How big is Alabama’s offensive tackle Evan Neal? Landon Dickerson (right) is listed at 6-6, 325 pic.twitter.com/vnL1nUISF6
— Kyle Henderson (@BamaYoutube) January 5, 2021
Despite his monstrous frame, he doesn’t look like he is as big as he is. Neal is absolutely shredded and couldn’t be in better shape for someone his size.
Evan Neal is a freak of nature… somebody his size should not be able to jump like this 🤯
— Alex Wilson (@AlexWilsonESM) May 1, 2022
That doesn’t mean he isn’t still a large human.
New @Giants OT Evan Neal made this jersey look kids sized. 😅 pic.twitter.com/R0Ws3qVKc0
— NFL (@NFL) May 6, 2022
In fact, when most people encounter Neal, they are taken back by his presence. Even starting running backs in the NFL.
By drafting Neal, the Giants did their offense a huge service. Obviously, it’s hard to find success running or throwing the ball if there is not a line to open holes or provide protection in the picket.
Thus, Saquon Barkley is thrilled with the Giants drafting Evan Neal.
“I’m excited especially selfishly as a running back, when you get a 6-7, 350-pound lineman helping you out,” the fifth-year running back said. “But not just for myself, the quarterback, too, and our offense in general.”
When Barkley first met Neal during a pre-draft visit, he was hopeful that New York would be able to draft him.
“I saw him and was like I would not be mad if we would pick him up,” he said. “I didn’t know he was gonna drop that far (to No. 7 overall), but great. I’m glad he’s on our team.”
As for his initial reaction to Neal’s size, Barkley was astonished.
“Evan Neal, he’s a physical specimen,” Barkley said.. “He came for the draft top 30 visit. All the draft people kinda were by my locker. He was there and I was like, oh my God, who is that?”
Needless to say, the star running back is thrilled to have Neal blocking for him up front. It’s hard to count on one player making a difference, but Barkley’s ability to run behind his new rookie teammate should help, at least a little bit, right?