Former Giants offensive lineman Evan Neal, who shockingly hasn’t played a single down of professional football since the 2024 season, officially inked a deal this week to join the Las Vegas Raiders’ practice squad. This move for a player once picked seventh overall in the NFL Draft is an absolute jaw-dropper.
The High Stakes Bet on a Former Top Pick
Neal’s journey in the league has been a rollercoaster, to say the least. Drafted by the Giants, he was supposed to be a cornerstone, a future star at right tackle. But things just didn’t click. They moved him to right guard, and get this, he didn’t even see the field for a single snap there last season. Seriously? After being a top-10 pick, he finished his Giants career with 29 games played and 27 starts, but the sheer lack of action since 2024 is the glaring red flag here. The Raiders are making a huge, high-stakes bet on his potential, hoping he can rekindle that draft-day magic. It’s a total gamble, but hey, it’s Vegas, right? You gotta respect the swing for the fences.
Veterans and Young Guns Round Out the Squad
But Neal isn’t the only one getting a shot at redemption in Sin City. The Raiders also brought in defensive end Azeez Ojulari and wide receiver Ronnie Bell to bolster their practice squad. Ojulari, a second-round pick by the Giants in 2021, has some serious resume points with 22 sacks and 38 quarterback hits over 49 games and five seasons. He played four seasons in New York before a short three-game stint with the Eagles last season. The Falcons gave him a look in March, but then terminated that contract just this past Sunday. So, he’s got something to prove. Then there’s Ronnie Bell, drafted in the seventh round by the 49ers in 2023. He’s got 28 career games under his belt for the 49ers and Saints, with 10 catches for 113 yards and four touchdowns. These are players with NFL experience who are now fighting to get back on an active roster. You love to see that kind of hunger!
What’s Next for the Silver and Black?
To make these moves happen, the Raiders made some tough calls, releasing defensive end Jahfari Harvey, offensive tackle Kamar Missouri, and tight end Albert Okwuegbunam. It’s the cutthroat nature of the league, folks. These new practice squad additions aren’t just names on a list; they represent potential. Especially with a talent like Neal, whose ceiling is still sky-high if he can shake off the rust. Keep your eyes locked on the Raiders’ practice squad in the coming weeks. If even one of these guys, especially a former top-10 pick like Neal, pans out, this could be an absolute steal for Vegas. The regular season is already heating up, and these depth moves could pay off big time.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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