EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ — The New York Giants landed two of the most talented players in the NFL draft when they picked Oregon Ducks edge-rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux and Alabama Crimson Tide offensive tackle Evan Neal by fifth and seventh, respectively, Thursday night have selected Pick .
Thibodeaux was a surprise pick in 5th place, but the board played perfectly as all three top offensive tackles of the draft were still available, allowing the Giants to snap Neal with the seventh pick after the Carolina Panthers took NC’s offensive tackle State had attacked No. 6 against Ikem Ekwonu.
Thibodeaux was one of the biggest names and most talked about players of the draft. Some questioned his efforts and work ethic and focus on his brand.
But the Giants didn’t think that was an issue after doing extensive research on Thibodeaux, who has an electric first step. New general manager Joe Schoen traveled from Thibodeaux to Eugene, Oregon for Pro Day just days after the NFL’s annual meetings in Florida. The Giants also sneaked into a Zoom meeting with the talented pass rusher during draft week.
One of last season’s top prospects, Thibodeaux had seven sacks despite playing in 2021 with an ankle injury. His 17.8% pressure percentage was the third best in the FBS.
New York was the only team in the NFL last season to finish in the bottom five for both pass block win rate and pass rush win rate, according to ESPN Stats & Information.
Neal, 21, was a second-team AP All-American last season and a semifinalist for the Outland Trophy and Lombardi Award. He allowed one sack in his junior season, which came in the national title game against the Georgia Bulldogs.
Neal saw constant improvement in Alabama. His allowable pressure percentage dropped from 2.5% as a freshman (when he played guard) to 1.3% last season as a left tackle.
Neal also brings tremendous versatility to the Giants, having played a season each as a guard, right tackle and left tackle. That gives the Giants options, with 2020 fourth overall pick Andrew Thomas showing a significant improvement in left tackle last season. Neal is likely to start his Giants career with the right tackle.
It would give New York two potentially young bookend tackles to protect quarterback Daniel Jones. The Giants become the third team in the joint draft era to have picked two offensive tackles in the top 10 over a three-year period.
The Giants wanted to grab an offensive tackle early in this draft to shore up an offensive line that had been problematic for nearly a decade. They also signed Mark Glowinski as a free agent to start at right guard and Jon Feliciano as center.
The idea is that the revamped and improved offensive line will give them a chance to get a real assessment from Jones this season. The Giants declined to exercise the fifth-year option on Jones’ rookie contract earlier Thursday, sources told ESPN.