Giants Offensive Line Reset: Where Things Stand and What Else Needs to Be Done

The New York Giants have invested heavily in offensive linemen this offseason after losing every starter due to injury in the 2023 season. 

Even before injuries decimated the offensive trenches, there were questions about the development of their three 2022 OL draft picks. Some of the questions were related to injuries, while others were due to inconsistent play.

Their two interior offensive linemen, fifth-round pick Marcus McKethan and third-round pick Joshua Ezeudu, spent most of their rookie seasons on injured reserve. Their first-round pick, right tackle Evan Neal, dealt with poor play and then a season-ending ankle injury. 

After the season, offensive line coach Bobby Johnson was fired and replaced by Carmen Bricillo. So, with all the changes made to this very important unit, do the Giants finally have enough, or should they address the offensive line in the first three rounds of the NFL Draft? 

The answer really comes down to the team's plan for that 2022 class, and more specifically, for Neal. As already noted, the team signed five offensive linemen this offseason during free agency, two of them to multi-year deals and the other three to one-year deals. That suggests they are not finished addressing the position. 

The decision to draft a lineman--and where in the draft rounds--will likely come down to where Neal will be playing in the future. 

If Neal is going to be the starting right tackle…

If the plan is for Neal to be the starting right tackle this season--which makes sense given he is only two years into his career--then there would be no reason to take an offensive lineman in the first three rounds of the draft. 

With Neal at right tackle, it all but places their two higher-profile free-agent acquisitions, Jon Runyan Jr at left guard and Jermaine Eluemunor at right guard. 

Eluemunor would also serve as Neal's backup, allowing both Ezeudu and McKethan to focus on playing guard and not bouncing between guard and tackle. 

Since both have had stints where they performed well as starters, the bench is much stronger and can absorb stints where injuries occur. It also means the team does not need to pull players “straight from the couch” (unless another rash of injuries wipes out the depth).  

The consistency improves, the knowledge improves, and the overall product should be increased. 

If Neal is not going to be at right tackle…

If the plan is to move on from Neal as the right tackle, hopefully, that means they are planning to move him to left guard. That would give the Giants one of the biggest, most dominant left sides in football. 

All of Neal's deficiencies at tackle would be covered up at guard, and his previous experience on the left side should result in more comfort at the position. 

This, however, means there is likely a shift coming. Runyan would kick over to the right side, and the North Carolina duo would still be a great developmental backup. However, it would mean that the path to starting for those two became much more difficult. 

Yes, we penciled Eluemunor in at right tackle, but with such a talent-rich tackle class, how can the Giants resist grabbing a young right tackle with a Day 2 draft pick or possibly even a first-round selection if they chose to trade down and maximize their draft capital? 

That makes it a true competition for the spot in training camp, with nobody insisting that the rookie should start. 

Whoever shakes out as the starter has a high-level backup behind them who can operate as the swing tackle at both spots. 

Coach's Counsel

Two years is far too soon to blow anything up regarding player development. Neal has shown some signs of being a good right tackle, and Ezeudu and McKethan have shown the ability to be effective as starters. 

The additions along the line should produce more competition and bring out the best in all of the players. If that is, in fact, the case, then spending a Day 1 or Day 2 pick on an offensive lineman would be a waste. 

The best course of action is to let this play out in 2024 on the field and reassess next offseason if elite draft capital should be used to improve the unit. 

• Follow and like us on Facebook.
• Submit your questions for our mailbag.
• Follow Patricia Traina on Instagram.
• Check out the Giants Country YouTube Channel.
• Subscribe and like the LockedOn Giants YouTube Channel