In a lost season for the Las Vegas Raiders, many are ready to see the team embrace a rebuild and sell off their best pieces to the highest bidder. While 2025 appears to be a lost season, quick turnarounds aren’t impossible.
Even if the Raiders don’t get into the playoffs, a strong end to the season would make the vibes much better heading into the offseason. One of the key reasons for the team’s struggles has been offensive line play. There isn’t a single player in the group who looks like a long-term starter, outside of left tackle Kolton Miller, who is out with an ankle injury.
Right tackle has been an issue the Raiders have tried to solve for years, but haven’t had any luck. Evan Neal was highly touted coming out of Alabama in 2022, which led to him being drafted by the New York Giants with the No. 7 pick. However, injuries have derailed his career.
He hasn’t played a game for the Giants this season, and they declined the fifth-year option on his rookie contract. Neal doesn’t have a future in New York, and ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler listed the Raiders as a team that could trade for him.
“This feels like an ideal time to deal away Neal, the No. 7 pick in 2022 who has been inactive all season,” Fowler wrote. “The Giants’ starting offensive line finally feels settled, which would make parting with Neal easier, even if for just a late-round pick swap. Teams are always looking for offensive line help.”
Is Neal Worth Trading For?
Neal’s value has plummeted so much that the Giants might only be able to get a seventh-round pick or just a pick swap for him. There’s a good chance that Neal is a true bust and doesn’t have what it takes to play in the NFL.
That said, he was a very good player at Alabama and was named a Consensus All-American in 2021. The fact that he’s dealt with so many injuries has made his development tricky. It’s possible that there’s still some potential there in the right situation. Even if he ends up flaming out in Las Vegas, he wouldn’t be a bad player to take a flyer on.
Braxton Jones Also Listed as Trade Fit
Neal won’t be the only tackle possibly on the trade market. Fowler also listed the Raiders as a fit for Chicago Bears offensive tackle Braxton Jones.
“Rival teams agree that Jones is a sensible trade candidate after his benching in favor of Theo Benedet and his résumé as a multiyear starter in Chicago. Jones also is in a contract year, and he is now healthy following an ankle issue that plagued him for much of 2025,” Fowler wrote.
Jones has a lot of starting experience, but hasn’t been a huge impact player. Regardless, offensive linemen with experience aren’t easy to find this late into the season, so there should be interest. Neal might be more interesting because of his upside, but the Raiders could favor a more well-known commodity like Jones if they’re going to make a trade.
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