NFL Rumors: Evan Neal Trade Is 'Nonstarter' for Giants; Azeez Ojulari Linked to Deal

Amid a 2-6 start, the New York Giants could be busy ahead of Tuesday's NFL trade deadline, but they reportedly aren't looking to move on from offensive tackle Evan Neal.

According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, talks involving the 2022 No. 7 overall draft pick are a "nonstarter" despite the fact that he lost his starting job and has served in a backup role all season.

One player who the Giants reportedly could trade, however, is pass-rusher Azeez Ojulari. League sources told Fowler they believe Ojulari could move by Tuesday, especially if teams are unwilling to meet the Cleveland Browns' asking price for veteran pass-rusher Za'Darius Smith.

Neal spent his first two NFL seasons as the Giants' primary starting offensive tackle, although he was limited to just seven games last season due mostly to an ankle injury.

During training camp and the preseason, free-agent signing Jermaine Eluemunor beat Neal out for the starting right tackle job, leaving Neal with nowhere to play since Andrew Thomas was locking down the left tackle spot.

Thomas suffered a season-ending foot injury last month, but rather than giving Neal a chance to fill in for him, head coach Brian Daboll has gone with veteran Chris Hubbard and 2022 third-round pick Joshua Ezeudu.

Neal being completely out of the starting equation would perhaps lead some teams to believe the 24-year-old could be available via trade, but that is apparently not the case, as Fowler noted Neal could "see the field sooner than later."

As for Ojulari, the 24-year-old is on pace for a career year with 24 tackles and six sacks through eight games, leaving him just two sacks shy of the career-high eight he had as a rookie in 2021.

After the arrival of Brian Burns via trade, Ojulari started the season as a backup and situational pass-rusher, but he has been pushed back into a starting role due to Kayvon Thibodeaux landing on injured reserve.

While the Giants defense has benefited from having that type of depth, Fowler said there is a belief Ojulari will be the "odd man out" once Thibodeaux returns.

Couple that with the fact that Ojulari is set to hit free agency at the end of the season, and there is plenty of incentive for the Giants to get something of value for him in a trade.

Fowler named the Arizona Cardinals as a potential landing spot for Ojulari since his brother, BJ Ojulari, plays for the team.

BJ Ojulari is out for the season, though, the Cards could use a pass-rushing boost in his absence, as they ranks 24th in the NFL with 15 sacks.

At 4-4, the Cardinals are in a three-way tie for first place in the NFC West, and they have a golden opportunity to move to 5-4 if they can beat the Chicago Bears at home on Sunday.

Should that happen, Arizona would perhaps be a buyer at the deadline, and Ojulari would potentially be an excellent fit.

The Detroit Lions also have to be considered as a possible landing spot for Ojulari since they lost superstar pass-rusher Aidan Hutchinson for the season recently and have yet to truly replace him.

Detroit is among the top Super Bowl contenders in the NFL, but pass-rush could be a major weakness heading into the playoffs if the front office doesn't make a move.