Draft bust Evan Neal among Giants’ roster cuts

The Giants cut four draft picks and found ways for five others to survive.

Accustomed to much better drafts with the Ravens than the Giants have produced under general manager Joe Schoen, head coach John Harbaugh cleared out offensive lineman Evan Neal (2022 first-round pick), running back Eric Gray (2023 fifth-rounder), receiver Jalin Hyatt (2023 third-rounder) and linebacker Darius Muasau (2024 sixth-rounder) as part of Sunday’s cut from 91 to 53 players.

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Some of those four players could return to the practice squad if they clear waivers.

None was a bigger bust than Neal, who flopped at tackle, butted heads with the fanbase, tried moving to guard, didn’t play a snap last season and still re-signed to a minimum contract in free agency for the chance to play for Harbaugh. But the former No. 7 overall pick mostly lined up with the third-team offense during training camp.

The Giants have only four players remaining from the 18 selected in Schoen’s first two drafts: Edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux (2022 first-rounder), linebacker Micah McFadden (2022 fifth-rounder), cornerback Deonte Banks (2023 first-rounder) and center John Michael Schmitz Jr. (2023 second-rounder). Schmitz is the only starter.

Four members of the 2022 draft class — Wan’Dale Robinson, Cor’Dale Flott, Daniel Bellinger and Dane Belton — combined for $143 million worth of second contracts with other teams.

When accounting for the recent trade of offensive guard Josh Ezeudu (2022 third-rounder) to the Chiefs, the Giants moved out five former draft picks during the preseason.

Defensive tackle Darius Alexander (2025 third-rounder), running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (2024 fifth-rounder) and receiver Darius Slayton (2019 fifth-rounder) survived the cut despite disappointing summer performances.

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Cornerback Korie Black (2025 seventh-rounder) was placed on injured reserve and is out for at least the first four games. He was cut last preseason and signed with the Jets practice squad but ultimately returned when Big Blue had an in-season cornerback shortage.

Thomas Fidone II (2025 seventh-rounder) made the initial roster as the No. 4 tight end but could be in jeopardy when the dust settles on the waiver wire.

The Giants cut veteran Lucas Patrick (113 games) and went with second-year pro Bryan Hudson as the backup center and ninth offensive lineman.

League sources told The Post that center is a position the Giants are thought to be targeting before Week 1, with an eye out for a potential challenger to Schmitz.

The Giants kept just two quarterbacks. It is unclear if Brandon Allen — a favorite of quarterbacks coach Brian Callahan — or Jake Haener will be re-signed to the practice squad for depth behind Jaxson Dart and Jameis Winston.

CB Art Green and K Ben Sauls were waived with injury settlements.

Green was a punt gunner in years past but core special teams jobs went to CB Nic Jones, S Elijah Campbell and LB Zaire Barnes.

Sauls’ injury complicates things for teams that could be in the kicker hunt like the Jets and Ravens.

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