As the NFL trade deadline 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time ticked down on November 4, 2023, the New York Giants stood at a crossroads — not just for the season, but for the direction of their rebuilding project. With a 2-7 record and no realistic path to the playoffs, General Manager Joe Schoen and Head Coach Brian Daboll faced the hard truth: some high draft picks aren’t just underperforming — they’re becoming liabilities. And now, they’re on the table.
High Picks, Low Returns
Evan Neal, the seventh overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft out of Alabama, was supposed to anchor the Giants’ offensive line for a decade. Instead, he’s been a journeyman in his own locker room. After starting at right tackle in 2022, he was moved to guard during the 2023 offseason — only to be a healthy scratch for the first eight games. He was activated for the November 3 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, but didn’t play a single snap. Meanwhile, John Michael Schmitz and Aaron Stinnie have surpassed him on the depth chart. The irony? Neal took first-team reps in training camp. Now, he’s an afterthought.
Then there’s Jalin Hyatt. The Giants traded up in the third round (73rd overall) of the 2023 draft to grab the explosive Tennessee receiver — a player who once had a 100-yard game against Alabama in college. But since joining the NFL, Hyatt has just 11 receptions across 10 games. He’s become a specialist: a kickoff returner alongside Gunner Olszewski. On Sunday night, after the Giants’ 24-10 loss to the 49ers, Hyatt walked out of the locker room with a shrug. "Whatever happens, happens," he told reporters. That’s not the mindset of a franchise receiver. It’s the resignation of a man who knows his future might not be in New York.
Why Now? The Bigger Picture
This isn’t about panic. It’s about pragmatism. Schoen and Daboll inherited a mess in January 2022. They went 7-10 that year — a modest improvement. But in 2023? The regression is undeniable. The Giants are last in the NFC East. The Philadelphia Eagles (6-2), Washington Commanders (7-2), and Dallas Cowboys (5-3) have pulled away. The roster is aging poorly. The draft capital is dwindling. And the clock is ticking on Schoen and Daboll’s four-year contract extension, which runs through 2025.
The 2022 trade of Kadarius Toney to the Kansas City Chiefs for a third- and sixth-round pick felt like a win then — the Giants were still in contention. This year? There’s no such luxury. The market for underperforming players is thin. As one unnamed AFC executive told CBS Sports, "People are asking for a lot." And with teams more focused on acquiring offensive tackles, pass rushers, and wide receivers — not dumping them — the Giants have little leverage.
Who’s Left on the Block?
According to GMEN HQ and Big Blue View, the Giants’ trade candidates are limited. Russell Wilson? Unlikely. He’s still under contract, and trading a veteran QB with $27 million guaranteed in 2024 would be financial suicide. Deonte Banks? Possible — but he’s a young corner with upside. Hyatt and Neal? They’re the most realistic. Both were high picks. Both have failed to meet expectations. Both carry modest salary caps ($2.1M and $2.3M respectively in 2023). And both are expendable.
Teams in need of depth — particularly those with injured linemen or injury-prone receivers — might take a flier. But they won’t give up much. A sixth-round pick? Maybe. A conditional seventh? More likely. The Giants aren’t looking for stars. They’re looking for future picks to rebuild.
What This Means for the Future
If Neal and Hyatt are traded, it won’t just be a roster move — it’ll be a signal. A message to the locker room: talent without production won’t be tolerated. A message to the fanbase: this rebuild isn’t sentimental. It’s surgical.
And if nothing happens? That’s a message too. It means Schoen and Daboll believe these players can still turn things around — or that they’re unwilling to admit failure. With only seven games left, the Giants have no room for ambiguity. The clock is running. The trade deadline has passed. The decisions — or lack thereof — will echo into 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are Evan Neal and Jalin Hyatt being considered for trade despite being high draft picks?
Neal was the No. 7 overall pick in 2022 and Hyatt was taken at No. 73 in 2023 — both by GM Joe Schoen. But Neal has been inactive for most of the season and lost his spot on the depth chart, while Hyatt has just 11 career receptions and is primarily used on special teams. Their underperformance, combined with the Giants’ playoff elimination, makes them expendable assets for future draft capital.
What’s the likelihood of a trade for either player?
Low, but not zero. Teams are more interested in acquiring offensive linemen and receivers than trading for them, especially from a 2-7 team. Neal’s position flexibility and Hyatt’s return ability could attract a team needing depth, but expect minimal return — likely a late-round pick or a conditional swap. No team is likely to give up a high pick for a player with their track record.
How does this compare to the Giants’ 2022 trade of Kadarius Toney?
In 2022, the Giants traded Toney to the Chiefs for a third- and sixth-round pick while still in playoff contention. This year, they’re 2-7 and out of the race, so they have zero leverage. The market for underperforming players is weaker, and teams aren’t willing to pay premium prices for risk. Any return for Neal or Hyatt will be far less valuable than what they got for Toney.
What does this mean for Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll’s futures with the team?
Schoen and Daboll signed extensions through 2025, but their credibility is eroding. The Giants have improved from 7-10 to 2-7 — a net loss. If Neal and Hyatt are traded without a clear plan to replace them, it signals a lack of long-term vision. If they’re kept, it suggests poor evaluation. Either way, 2024 will be a make-or-break year for their tenure.