As the 2022 NFL Draft approaches, the New York Giants’ strategy will continue to develop and adapt to the market. With player stock values rising and falling, general manager Joe Schoen has a difficult task ahead of him, especially with plenty of positional leverage.
Having the 5th and 7th overall picks in the draft allow the Giants to make a number of different moves, whether it be staying put or trading back and acquiring more draft capital. However, one thing is for sure, the team is focused on obtaining a right tackle who can start immediately opposite Andrew Thomas.
Looking at the Giants’ free-agent signings this off-season, they landed a number of players who can start at offensive guard, but only one who will compete at right tackle, a position that currently doesn’t have a cemented starter.
Recent Giants offensive line signings:
-OG Jamil Douglas
-OT Matt Gono
-C Jon Feliciano
-OG Mark Glowinski
-OG Max Garcia
Feliciano, Glowinski, and Garcia could end up being starting linemen for the Giants this year, given they don’t draft another guard who wins the job during training camp. Gono isn’t going to turn any heads, having missed the entire 2021 season due to injury. The former Atlanta Falcon has 232 reps at right tackle, allowing one sack and 10 hurries over 206 pass blocking snaps.
Gono simply offers depth at a cheap price point, opening the door for a rookie to take over and develop. Most of the contracts the Giants signed this off-season regarding the OL are one-year deals, aside from Mark Glowinski, who landed a three-year, $20 million deal with the Giants coming off a solid campaign with the Indianapolis Colts.
Glowinski will feature at right guard next to a young rookie at RT, providing an anchor and experience at a cost-efficient price point.
Given the minimal salary space Schoen had to work with this off-season, it is quite impressive he’s managed to sign several players who can compete and provide legitimate value.
With two top-10 picks, Big Blue should have an opportunity to land one of the top three tackles in the draft. One thing is clear, management believes they can plug interior line spots seamlessly with cost-efficient free-agent signings but would rather invest a premium draft pick at tackle, which is a modern strategy.