Four New York Giants Facing “Make-or-Break” Situations
As new talent arrives in East Rutherford, several New York Giants veterans are on the hot seat, with their futures at risk depending on how they perform in the coming season.
The NFL Draft is always a turning point in the league, not only for the fresh faces it brings in but also as a reminder of the precarious nature of many players’ careers. For those already on the roster, the arrival of new talent can heighten the pressure to perform, especially for teams like the Giants, who had a solid draft and are aiming to build on their momentum.
After adding promising new players, the Giants now have a few veterans who must prove their worth or risk losing their spots. With roster spots up for grabs, the real competition will begin this summer as the team looks to fill key roles.
Here are four current Giants who could be facing a pivotal season:
OG Evan Neal
Evan Neal, the former first-round pick, enters his fourth year with the Giants at a crossroads. Selected seventh overall in 2022, Neal has not lived up to expectations, struggling to block elite edge rushers and posting an overall grade under 61.2. After a disappointing 2024 season, Neal saw his role decrease when veteran Jermaine Eluemunor was brought in and earned the starting right tackle spot.
Despite some flashes of potential in run blocking, Neal’s struggles in pass protection continued, and he now faces a position switch to guard, a role he played briefly at Alabama. The Giants have multiple options at guard, including Jon Runyan, Greg Van Roten, and developmental players like Marcus Mbow, who has shown versatility in college. Neal’s seat is getting warmer, especially after the Giants declined his fifth-year option, signaling the possibility of a change if he doesn’t prove himself.
WR Jalin Hyatt
Jalin Hyatt, once the top receiver in the SEC during his final year at Tennessee, has seen his role in the Giants’ offense diminish since joining the team. After a standout 2022 season with nearly 1,300 yards, Hyatt has failed to make an impact in New York, with just 62 yards and one touchdown across two seasons.
Hyatt’s speed and ability to create big plays have not translated into consistent production, partly due to poor quarterback play. With a crowded wide receiver room following the draft, including Malik Nabers and Darius Slayton, Hyatt’s future in New York is uncertain. If he doesn’t step up this season, it’s likely he’ll either be traded or released as a cap casualty.
RB Eric Gray
Running back Eric Gray has yet to make a significant impact on the field, despite being drafted in the fifth round of the 2023 draft. Behind Saquon Barkley and Tyrone Tracy, Gray has seen limited action, and his performance has been underwhelming, with no more than 100 rushing yards in his career.
Additionally, Gray has struggled on special teams, with multiple muffed punts and kickoffs in 2023. The Giants are excited about newcomer Cam Skattebo, who could emerge as a top running back option, and with Ihmir Smith-Marsette thriving on special teams, Gray’s spot on the roster is in jeopardy. Unless he shows improvement in both offense and special teams, his time with the Giants could be coming to an end.
IDL Rakeem Nuñez-Roches
Rakeem Nuñez-Roches, the veteran defensive lineman, faces an uncertain future with the Giants. The team was in need of an interior defensive lineman before the draft and addressed that by selecting Toledo’s Darius Alexander in the third round. Alexander, known for his physicality and run defense, will challenge Nuñez-Roches for a starting spot next to Dexter Lawrence.
While Nuñez-Roches has been a reliable presence on the field, his performance has not been outstanding. His run defense grade of 50.2 last season was underwhelming, and he failed to make a significant impact in key situations. Alexander’s upside and strong run defense could push Nuñez-Roches down the depth chart, and the Giants will be closely watching how both players perform in camp. If Alexander surpasses him, Nuñez-Roches could be squeezed out of a prominent role.
In conclusion, these four Giants are facing pivotal seasons, with competition intensifying for their spots. Whether it’s due to poor performance, the arrival of new talent, or positional changes, their futures with the team will depend on how they handle the pressure in the coming months.
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