Raiders Release Former Top-10 Pick Evan Neal

The Las Vegas Raiders have released offensive lineman Evan Neal from their practice squad, the team announced Monday.

Neal, a former top-10 draft pick, joined the Raiders after being waived by the New York Giants in August. He did not appear in any games for Las Vegas, and his last NFL snaps occurred in 2024.

The Raiders have since added offensive tackles Amari Kight and Darian Kinnard to their practice squad to fill the openings.

Neal was selected by the Giants with the seventh overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft out of Alabama. He was considered a highly touted prospect, praised for his agility and explosiveness. During his college career, he allowed only five sacks in 40 starts and was a first-team All-American. The Giants envisioned him as a cornerstone piece of their offensive line.

During his time with the Giants, Neal transitioned between offensive tackle and guard. He missed the entire 2025 season due to an ankle injury, which effectively ended his tenure with the team. In his rookie season, he allowed eight sacks, and struggles with the speed of the NFL were noted. Over his four seasons with the Giants, Neal played in 29 games and made 27 starts, accumulating a 48.3 overall Pro Football Focus grade and a 41.0 pass-blocking grade.

Amari Kight, 25, has a prior connection with Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak, having played under him when Kubiak was the offensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks. Kinnard, a 2022 fifth-round pick, spent time with the Green Bay Packers last season and started four games.