The New York Giants’ offensive line has been among the team’s biggest weaknesses for the better part of the last decade. Despite their attempts to upgrade the unit in recent drafts and free-agency cycles, nothing has seemed to work out. This offseason, however, one key free-agent signing could finally solve this problem.
Giants could upgrade their offensive line with Chiefs RG Trey Smith
If the Giants want to shop at the top of the free agency market this offseason, they should have their sights set on Kansas City Chiefs right guard Trey Smith. Pro Football Focus’s No. 2-ranked projected free agent, signing Smith would be a major splash for the G-Men in the offseason.
According to PFF, Smith’s 78.6 overall PFF grade ranked ninth among all guards in the NFL this season. At 25 years old, he is still an ascending star in the league. He has been among PFF’s top-12 highest-graded in each of the last three seasons and just finished up a 2024 campaign in which he surrendered only 26 pressures and zero sacks across 1,115 snaps at right guard for the 15-2 Chiefs.
Signing Smith would be the ultimate move to upgrade the interior of the Giants’ offensive line, adding a premier, rising talent to the unit to build around for years to come. However, the Pro Bowl guard won’t come cheap.
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Could the Giants afford to sign Smith?
PFF projects a four-year, $82 million contract for Smith with $50 million guaranteed, coming in with an average salary of $20.5 million per season. This deal would rightfully make Smith one of the highest-paid interior offensive linemen in the NFL.
The Giants are currently projected to have roughly $43 million in salary cap space this offseason, according to Over The Cap. This would be prior to making any cap-changing moves, such as player releases and contract restructures.
Smith would push the limits of the Giants’ offseason budget, however, he would be a transformative player to add to the lineup. If New York is willing to spend big to solve their biggest problem, Smith should be their top target on the offensive line.
