The Las Vegas Raiders are staring down a lost 2025 season, with fans and analysts alike urging the team to embrace a full rebuild by trading away key assets for future draft capital. While a playoff berth seems out of reach, a strong finish could shift the mood heading into the offseason. However, one glaring issue continues to plague the team: the offensive line. Outside of left tackle Kolton Miller, who is currently sidelined with an ankle injury, the Raiders lack a single player in the unit who projects as a long-term starter. The right tackle position, in particular, has been a persistent problem that the team has failed to solve for years.
Enter Evan Neal, a potential trade target who could represent a high-risk, high-reward solution. The former Alabama standout was selected by the New York Giants with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, carrying the weight of lofty expectations. However, injuries have derailed his career, and Neal has yet to play a single game for the Giants this season. With New York declining the fifth-year option on his rookie contract, Neal’s future with the team is all but over. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler recently named the Raiders as a potential landing spot for the 25-year-old tackle.
“This feels like an ideal time to deal away Neal, the No. 7 pick in 2022 who has been inactive all season,” Fowler noted. “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 Evan Neal Worth the Gamble?
Neal’s trade value has plummeted to the point where the Giants might only fetch a seventh-round pick or a pick swap in return. Some view him as a potential bust, questioning whether he has the tools to succeed in the NFL. His injury-riddled tenure in New York has stunted his development, and there’s no guarantee he can reclaim the form that made him a Consensus All-American at Alabama in 2021.
Still, Neal’s pedigree and raw talent make him an intriguing option for a team like the Raiders, who are desperate for answers along the offensive line. At his best, Neal showcased elite athleticism and power in college, traits that could still translate to the pros in the right environment. For a rebuilding team, taking a flyer on a former top-10 pick for a low cost could be a low-risk move with significant upside. Even if Neal flames out in Las Vegas, the Raiders would lose little in the trade.
Braxton Jones: The Safer Alternative?
Neal isn’t the only offensive tackle on the Raiders’ radar. Fowler also highlighted Chicago Bears tackle Braxton Jones as a potential trade fit. Jones, a multi-year starter, was recently benched in favor of Theo Benedet and is in the final year of his contract. Despite an ankle injury that hampered him for much of 2025, Jones is now healthy and could provide immediate help.
“Rival teams agree that Jones is a sensible trade candidate after his benching and his résumé as a multiyear starter in Chicago,” Fowler wrote. “Jones also is in a contract year, and he is now healthy following an ankle issue that plagued him for much of 2025.”
While Jones lacks the high ceiling of Neal, his experience and reliability make him a more predictable commodity. Offensive linemen with starting experience are hard to come by this late in the season, and Jones could provide stability at a position that has been a disaster for the Raiders.
A Daring Heist or a Cautious Move?
The Raiders face a critical decision as they look to address their offensive line woes. Trading for Neal would be a bold, high-stakes gamble, banking on his untapped potential to finally solve the right tackle problem. On the other hand, acquiring Jones offers a safer, more proven option, albeit with less upside. With the season spiraling and the offensive line in shambles, a trade for either player could signal the Raiders’ intent to turn things around—whether for the remainder of 2025 or as a foundation for the future. For a team in desperate need of a spark, a blockbuster swap for a former No. 7 pick like Neal could be the daring heist that changes the narrative in Las Vegas.