Evan Neal’s chef hiring a part of quest to turn out to be Giants’ subsequent O-line fixture

With a view to begin cooking pass-rushers on the sector, Evan Neal employed a chef.

Getting into his second yr with the Giants after the staff drafted him with the No. 7-overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Neal has slimmed down all through the offseason within the hope of serving to him enhance from his tough rookie season at proper sort out.

He mentioned he weighed in at 345 kilos when he reported to coaching camp after he completed final season at 353 kilos, however extra importantly, he added wanted muscle to his 6-foot-7 body.

Neal claimed he adopted his regular offseason routine, albeit with one key distinction — a private chef.

“I used to be simply much more acutely aware about my weight-reduction plan,” Neal mentioned earlier than observe on Friday. “It was actually useful when it comes to what I used to be placing in my physique, simply having meals there for me so I didn’t have to consider consuming.”

With a view to make the soar from 12 months 1 to 12 months 2, he envisions in his new physique, there’s a blueprint for Neal.

On the opposite facet of the offensive line, stud left sort out Andrew Thomas as soon as discovered himself in a state of affairs almost an identical to Neal’s as a extremely drafted offensive sort out who struggled all through his rookie season.

However Thomas, who was drafted fourth general in 2020, has made large leaps every of the previous two seasons, and on Wednesday signed a massive five-year extension price $117.5 million with $67 million assured.

“I used to be in that very same spot, being drafted excessive in New York,” Thomas mentioned on Wednesday. “Enjoying offensive sort out shouldn’t be a straightforward factor to do as a rookie, however I’m at all times in his ear [and] something I can do to assist him. We bounce concepts off one another, speak about totally different strategies, speak about rushes and I believe he’s going to be a superb participant for us.”

Simply because the Giants banked on Thomas changing into their franchise left sort out, they anticipate the identical for Neal on the appropriate facet.

Neal, who began 13 video games at proper sort out left season, was graded because the Eightieth-best sort out within the NFL by Professional Soccer Focus, with a 41.8 grade out of 100.

He surrendered seven sacks on 453 pass-blocking snaps.

After predominantly taking part in left sort out at Alabama, shifting over to the appropriate facet with the Giants required changes from Neal, who mentioned he now feels “comfy” on that facet.

And although he made some extent to not use it as an excuse, Neal was hampered by a proper MCL sprain final yr.

It was the primary time he had handled a midseason damage, which he “undoubtedly looks like was an element.”

With a brand new physique and restored well being, the arrow ought to solely level up for Neal.

“Simply to see somebody in your room make the advance that [Thomas] made, particularly in the identical place group, it’s simply good to be round,” Neal mentioned. “However I’m assured in myself to make the soar that I must.”