NBC Sports' Peter King sees big things for Evan Neal this year
NBC Sports' Peter King made his predictions for this year's postseason awards in his weekly "Football Morning in America" column. When it came to the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award, King had an interesting name listed among his three candidates - Giants right tackle Evan Neal.
Neal has only been in the NFL for a little over four months now, but the right tackle already feels like he has picked up on a few things to help improve his game leading up to the start of the regular season.
"The NFL is definitely a more technical," Neal said Monday on what he's learned about the NFL since being drafted. "I had to become more of a technician. I couldn't just rely so much on just my raw athleticism or talent. I had to become more of a technician as well, working on my pass sets, my set angles. I feel like I'm more comfortable in my sets. I'm using my hands more, and I feel like I'm more balanced as well, but obviously I have a lot of work that still needs to be done. I feel like my game is trending in the right direction."
King ended up picking New Orleans Saints WR Chris Olave as his OROY winner, with Houston Texans RB Dameon Pierce coming in second.
With the season set to kick off against the Titans this Sunday in Nashville, Neal has already made a great impression on his coaches and teammates, including his fellow starting offensive tackle.
"Evan is very mature for being a rookie the way he approaches every day – he's trying to get better," Andrew Thomas said last week. "He's taking care of his body, doing extra cardio or whatever he can to get better. I think he's doing a great job adjusting to that. Obviously, there's struggles when you first come into this league playing the tackle position, it's not easy, but he's doing a great job, and I think he has all the tools to be really good."
Since the award was created, no offensive lineman has ever been named Offensive Rookie of the Year. However, Kansas City Chiefs center Creed Humphrey and Los Angeles Chargers tackle Rashawn Slater both received votes for the award last year. Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase ended up winning the award.
Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (2014) and running back Saquon Barkley (2018) are the only Giants to receive the award in franchise history.
View the best photos of the Giants' 2022 rookie class from training camp and the preseason.
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux
T Evan Neal
WR Wan'Dale Robinson
OL Joshua Ezeudu
CB Cor'Dale Flott
TE Daniel Bellinger
S Dane Belton
ILB Micah McFadden
DL D.J. Davidson
OL Marcus McKethan
ILB Darrian Beavers
OLB Tomon Fox
Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
Daniel Bellinger (45)
Evan Neal (73)
S Dane Belton (36), S Julian Love (20)
Daniel Bellinger (45)
Cor'Dale Flott (28)
DL D.J. Davidson (98)
S Dane Belton (36)
LB Darrian Beavers (41)
S Dane Belton (36)
S Dane Belton (36)
S Dane Belton (36)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
TE Daniel Bellinger (45)
DB Cor'Dale Flott (28)
LB Micah McFadden (43)
OL Marcus McKethan (60)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Daniel Bellinger (45)
Daniel Bellinger (45)
Evan Neal (73)
Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
Joshua Ezeudu (75), Devery Hamilton (62)
OL Marcus McKethan (60)
Darrian Beavers (41)
OL Marcus McKethan (60)
DB Cor'Dale Flott (28)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
G Joshua Ezeudu (75)
LB Micah McFadden (43)
LB Micah McFadden (43)
D.J. Davidson (98)
DL D.J. Davidson (98)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
Darrian Beavers (41)
Micah McFadden (43)
Darrian Beavers (41)
LB Darrian Beavers (41)
Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
G Joshua Ezeudu (75)
Micah McFadden (43)
Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
Micah McFadden (43)
Daniel Bellinger (45)
G Joshua Ezeudu (75)
OT Evan Neal (70)
Daniel Bellinger (45)
Cor'Dale Flott (28)
Darrian Beavers (41)
Cor'Dale Flott (28)
Joshua Ezeudu (75)
Micah McFadden (43)
Evan Neal (70), Mark Glowinski (64)
TE Daniel Bellinger (45)
Micah McFadden (43)
LB Darrian Beavers (41)
Micah McFadden (43)
Cor'Dale Flott (28)
Evan Neal (73)
Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
Cor'Dale Flott (28)
Daniel Bellinger (45)
Daniel Bellinger (45)
Darrian Beavers (41)
OT Evan Neal (70)
Daniel Bellinger (45)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
Evan Neal (73)
Joshua Ezeudu (75)
Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
DL D.J. Davidson (98)
New York Giants linebacker Darrian Beavers (41) during a pre-season football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday August 21, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
S Dane Belton (36)
New York Giants linebacker Darrian Beavers (41) during a pre-season football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday August 21, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
New York Giants defensive tackle D.J. Davidson (98)during a pre-season football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday August 21, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
New York Giants defensive tackle D.J. Davidson (98)during a pre-season football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday August 21, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
OL Marcus McKethan
New York Giants safety Dane Belton during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Saturday July 30, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants defensive tackle D.J. Davidson (98) during a pre-season football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday August 21, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
Tomon Fox (49)
New York Giants linebacker Micah McFadden (43) during a pre-season football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday August 21, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
New York Giants offensive tackle Evan Neal (73) watches from he sideline during a pre-season football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday August 21, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
New York Giants linebacker Darrian Beavers (41) during a pre-season football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday August 21, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
Tomon Fox
New York Giants cornerback Dane Belton (36) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Wednesday July 27, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants tight end Daniel Bellinger (45) during a pre-season football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday August 21, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
New York Giants offensive lineman Marcus McKethan (60) during organized team activity at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Tuesday May 24, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a pre-season football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday August 21, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a pre-season football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday August 21, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
New York Giants Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) goes agains Evan Neal (70) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Wednesday August 3, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants offensive tackle Evan Neal (73) during a pre-season football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday August 21, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
New York Giants tight end Daniel Bellinger (45) during a preseason NFL football game against New England Patriots on Thursday August 11, 2022 in Foxborough, MA
New York Giants offensive lineman Marcus McKethan (60) during Minicamp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Tuesday June 7, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants cornerback Cor'Dale Flott (28) signs autographs following training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Sunday August 14, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants offensive tackle Evan Neal (73) leads the way for Saquon Barkley (26) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Sunday August 14, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants offensive tackle Evan Neal (73) walks out to practice after changing his number during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Tuesday August 9, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants safety Dane Belton (36) signs autographs following training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Sunday August 14, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants guard Joshua Ezeudu (75) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Sunday August 7, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Sunday August 14, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants defensive tackle D.J. Davidson (98) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Monday August 8, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants linebacker Micah McFadden (43) during a preseason NFL football game against New England Patriots on Thursday August 11, 2022 in Foxborough, MA
OLB Tomon Fox (49)
New York Giants cornerback Cor'Dale Flott (28) during a preseason NFL football game against New England Patriots on Thursday August 11, 2022 in Foxborough, MA
New York Giants' Daniel Bellinger (45) signs autographs for fans following training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Thursday July 28, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants cornerback Cor'Dale Flott (28) during a preseason NFL football game against New England Patriots on Thursday August 11, 2022 in Foxborough, MA
New York Giants linebacker Darrian Beavers (41) during a preseason NFL football game against New England Patriots on Thursday August 11, 2022 in Foxborough, MA
Wan'Dale Robinson
New York Giants guard Joshua Ezeudu (75) during a preseason NFL football game against New England Patriots on Thursday August 11, 2022 in Foxborough, MA
New York Giants wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson (17) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Sunday August 7, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants guard Joshua Ezeudu (75) during a preseason NFL football game against New England Patriots on Thursday August 11, 2022 in Foxborough, MA
Tomon Fox
New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a preseason NFL football game against New England Patriots on Thursday August 11, 2022 in Foxborough, MA
New York Giants linebacker Tomon Fox (49) during a pre-season football game against the New York Jets on Sunday August 28, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
New York Giants wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson (17) during a preseason NFL football game against New England Patriots on Thursday August 11, 2022 in Foxborough, MA
New York Giants defensive tackle D.J. Davidson (98) during a preseason NFL football game against New England Patriots on Thursday August 11, 2022 in Foxborough, MA
New York Giants' Kayvon Thibodeaux (50 talks with New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Thursday July 28, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a preseason NFL football game against New England Patriots on Thursday August 11, 2022 in Foxborough, MA
New York Giants linebacker Tomon Fox (49) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Wednesday August 24, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants offensive tackle Evan Neal (73) during a preseason NFL football game against New England Patriots on Thursday August 11, 2022 in Foxborough, MA
Micah McFadden (43)
New York Giants safety Dane Belton during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Friday July 29, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants offensive tackle Evan Neal (73) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Tuesday August 9, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Tomon Fox (49)
New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Tuesday August 9, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
OLB Tomon Fox (49) during organized team activity at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Tuesday May 17, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants defensive tackle D.J. Davidson (98) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Wednesday August 24, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson warms up before a joint training camp practice with the New York Jets at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Thursday August 25, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Tomon Fox (49)
New York Giants safety Dane Belton during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Friday July 29, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Thursday July 28, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants defensive tackle D.J. Davidson (98) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Thursday July 28, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
OT Evan Neal
New York Giants cornerback Cor'Dale Flott (28) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Wednesday August 24, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
OLB Tomon Fox (49)
OC Mike Kafka to call plays in regular season
Coach Brian Daboll is officially relinquishing the duty he has held for nine seasons in his 25-year coaching career, including in each of the last five years.
The first-year head coach announced yesterday on a Zoom interview with reporters that offensive coordinator Mike Kafka will call the team's offensive plays when the season begins Sunday in Nashville against the Tennessee Titans.
Kafka called the plays in the Giants' three preseason games.
"I talked to Mike over the weekend," Daboll said. "We were working yesterday; talked to him today. I have a lot of confidence in Mike. We'll stay with how we did things in the preseason."
Kafka has never been a full-time play-caller. But he worked for Andy Reid, one of the NFL's most respected offensive coaches, the previous five seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, including the last four as quarterbacks coach (working with Patrick Mahomes). He was also the team's passing game coordinator the last two seasons.
Rookie wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson enthusiastically endorsed Kafka.
"He knows how to get the guys matched up," Robinson said. "He's going to get us in a groove and get us going. Knows when to take the shots and things like that and get us in the best plays each and every play."
Q&A with Adoree' Jackson: Pivotal season for veteran CB
The Giants made some big changes on the defensive side of the ball this year, but one major piece returning to the unit in 2022 is cornerback Adoree' Jackson.
Now entering his sixth season in the NFL and his second with the Giants, Jackson is the veteran among the team's corners at just 26.
Jackson has leaned into his role as the most experienced player in the room throughout the off-season and summer. The Giants' No. 1 corner is now ready to carry that over into the regular season, starting this weekend with the Week 1 matchup against the Tennessee Titans.
Jackson recently sat down for an exclusive interview with Giants.com to discuss his new role as the veteran of the CB group, going up against opposing teams' No. 1 receivers, the new coaching staff and more.
Q: What excites you about going up against an opposing team's top receiver?
Jackson: I think what excites me the most is the competition level, especially when I'm able to go against (Kadarius Toney) KT, (Kenny Golladay) KG, (Darius Slayton) Slay, (David) Sills, Wan'Dale (Robinson). Man, it's just about the iron sharpens iron; and I remember when I was at USC, that's one of the things I was intrigued about. I used to tell the coaches, 'Let me go out there and compete' and just go against whoever they bring, whoever their best player was. So, it just speaks highly of you and then your staff, too. They believe in you. So, then you really got to believe in yourself. But when you have a coach or a system that believes in you and your abilities and lets you go out there and do your thing, I respect that a lot.
View photos of veteran cornerback Adoree' Jackson's time spent with the New York Giants.
Adoree' Jackson (22)
Adoree' Jackson (22)
New York Giants cornerback Adoree' Jackson (22) during a week 2 Thursday Night football game against the Washington Football Team on Thursday September 16th, 2021 in Landover, Maryland.
New York Giants cornerback Adoree' Jackson (22) during a Week 4 football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday October 3, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana
Adoree' Jackson (22)
New York Giants cornerback Adoree' Jackson (22) during a week 2 Thursday Night football game against the Washington Football Team on Thursday September 16th, 2021 in Landover, Maryland.
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New York Giants cornerback Adoree' Jackson (22) shakes hands with Brian Daboll after returning an interception during organized team activity at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Thursday May 26, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants cornerback Adoree' Jackson (22) during a week 7 football game against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday October 24th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants cornerback Adoree' Jackson (22) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Monday August 8, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants cornerback Adoree' Jackson (22) during a week 7 football game against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday October 24th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants corner back Adoree' Jackson (22) returns an interception during organized team activity at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Thursday May 26, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants defensive backs Adoree Jackson, Darnay Holmes, Julian Love and Aaron Robinson during organized team activity at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Monday May 16, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants cornerback Adoree' Jackson (22) makes a tackle during a week 5 game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas on Sunday October 10th, 2021,
New York Giants cornerback Adoree' Jackson (22) during a week 2 Thursday Night football game against the Washington Football Team on Thursday September 16th, 2021 in Landover, Maryland.
New York Giants cornerback Adoree' Jackson (22) during a week 17 football game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday January 2, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois
New York Giants Adoree' Jackson (22) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Monday August 1, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants cornerback Adoree' Jackson (22) during a week 9 football game against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday November 8th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants cornerback Adoree' Jackson (22) during a week 3 football game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday September 26th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants cornerback Adoree' Jackson (22) intercepts a pass during a week 11 football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday November 22nd, 2021 in Tampa, Florida
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CB Adoree' Jackson (22) during organized team activity at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Monday May 16, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants cornerback Adoree' Jackson (22) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Thursday August 18, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
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Darnay Holmes (30), Adoree' Jackson (22)
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New York Giants cornerback Adoree' Jackson (22) takes part during a NFL Training Camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Wednesday July 28, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants cornerback Adoree' Jackson (22) returns a punt during minicamp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Tuesday June 8, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants cornerback Adoree' Jackson (22) during minicamp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Tuesday June 8, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
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New York Giants cornerback Adoree' Jackson (22) returns a punt during minicamp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Tuesday June 8, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
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