It's certainly no secret that the Los Angeles Chargers have had their fair share of problems on the offensive line this season, an issue that began during training camp when two-time Pro Bowl tackle Rashawn Slater suffered a season-ending torn patellar tendon, thus forcing Trey Pipkins III into the starting lineup, which turned out to be a disaster, as he's already been replaced by Bobby Hart, who hasn't been much better.
Second-year tackle Joe Alt continues to be one of the best at his position—at least when healthy, of course, as he missed three games with an ankle injury. But that seems to be behind him, as he returned for the Bolts' Week 8 win over the Minnesota Vikings and performed well. Beyond Alt, however, it's been a struggle.
Free-agent acquisition Mekhi Becton hasn't worked out the way the Chargers had hoped and has dealt with injury issues of his own. The interior tandem of Zion Johnson and Bradley Bozeman has once again been disappointing, and the backups haven't been much better when called upon, as Jamaree Salyer, Austin Deculus, and Foster Sarrell have all struggled as well.
As such, the Chargers have been encouraged to trade for some help in the trenches ahead of Tuesday's deadline, and an interesting target has emerged, that being the New York Giants' Evan Neal.
There's no risk in the Chargers trading for Evan Neal
A First-Team All-SEC selection and a consensus All-American at Alabama during the Crimson Tide's national championship-winning 2021 campaign, Neal was taken seventh overall by the Giants in the 2022 draft but just hasn't lived up to that selection.
The Florida native started his collegiate career at left guard but was moved to right tackle as a sophomore and thrived. But as he struggled a bit at tackle at the professional level, the Giants moved him back to guard during training camp this summer, and that's where he took his snaps during preseason action. However, as Neal has been inactive for every single game this season—and not because of injury—he hasn't taken any snaps at guard that actually matter just yet.
The Giants are clearly ready to move on, and ESPN's Dan Graziano believes he could be an under-the-radar candidate to be moved ahead of the trade deadline.
"He has played tackle and guard for the Giants, but it has never quite worked out," Graziano wrote. "He's only 25 years old and was the No. 7 pick in 2022, so the talent is there. He's eligible for free agency at the end of the season and doesn't seem to be in New York's long-term plans. Almost everyone is looking to add offensive line depth this time of year, and there doesn't seem to be much reason for the Giants not to move Neal if they were offered a pick."
Is Neal the perfect solution to the Chargers' O-line problems? Of course not. But as Graziano mentions, he provides depth. And given the issues he's had in New York, he'd likely come in with a chip on his shoulder, especially seeing as how he's in a contract year. And let's get real here. Would he really be any worse than some of the guys the Bolts throw out there now?
There is no risk for the Chargers here, as all they would likely need to do is engage in a late-round pick swap, much like the San Francisco 49ers did with the New England Patriots recently to acquire edge rusher Keion White.
This is a no-brainer for the Bolts.