Giants could pair Andrew Thomas with former Georgia teammate, childhood friend in the draft

Jamaree Salyer

The New York Giants are placing an emphasis on the offensive line this offseason. The Giants are expected to draft numerous offensive linemen with their nine picks in the 2022 NFL Draft. Many predict that the Giants will take an offensive tackle in the first round, but the Giants should not cease their search for upgrades after day one. There are plenty of mid-round offensive line prospects that the Giants should consider targeting like Georgia left guard Jamaree Salyer.

Jamaree Salyer makes sense for the Giants for a few reasons. Firstly, he was an exceptional left tackle for the Georgia Bulldogs that is expected to switch to left guard in the pros, a position of need for Big Blue. Secondly, Jamaree Salyer already has a connection to the Giants via left tackle Andrew Thomas. Salyer and Thomas were not only teammates at Georgia for a brief moment, but they are also childhood friends. The Giants could pair Andrew Thomas with his childhood friend and former college teammate Jamaree Salyer in the 2022 NFL Draft.

What could Jamaree Salyer bring to the Giants?

The New York Giants could target Georgia left tackle Jamaree Salyer in the 2022 NFL Draft. Salyer played tackle in college but seems primed for a position switch in the pros. Salyer is projected as a starter at left guard in the NFL, a position the Giants could be looking to upgrade.

The Giants’ left tackle position is solidified by Andrew Thomas. Thomas, another Georgia product, was drafted in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft and developed into a stud this past year. Jamaree Salyer and Andrew Thomas are childhood friends, which could bode well for Salyer’s potential development playing alongside his buddy Thomas with the Giants.

Jamaree Salyer is a dependable offensive lineman. He has strong hands and only allowed four pressures in 2021 (PFF). Salyer is really strong and powerful and excels in pass protection. Being a solid pass-blocker is a key trait in new head coach Brian Daboll’s offensive scheme, making Salyer a good fit with Big Blue.

Jamaree Salyer could also provide the Giants with versatility on the offensive line. He primarily played left tackle in college and is expected to be a left guard in the NFL. But Salyer was used as a utility man in the first year of his collegiate career. Jamaree has experience playing minimal snaps at center, right guard, and right tackle.

The Giants should target Jamaree Salyer in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft as a developmental starter at left guard. He has the potential to start and play at a high level in the NFL. Salyer has some things to clean up in his pass-protection technique, and he needs to improve all around as a run-blocker. But starter-potential is there and Jamaree’s connection with Andrew Thomas makes him a perfect fit with the New York Giants.