One of the headline stories for the 2024 NFL season is the hopeful strengthening of the New York Giants‘ offensive line. General Manager Joe Schoen has made impactful moves this off-season by signing key free agents Jon Runyan and Jermaine Eluemunor, both of whom are expected to play crucial roles in revitalizing the Giants’ front line.
Giants’ Offensive Line Overhaul in 2024
Jon Runyan, 26, is a seasoned player with over three consecutive years of logging more than 1000 snaps, demonstrating his durability and consistency.
Last season, he played 1009 snaps and allowed only 22 pressures, showcasing his proficiency, particularly at left guard. Interestingly, during recent practices, the Giants have been experimenting with Runyan at right guard. This move is part of a broader strategy to increase versatility across their offensive line, allowing players to adapt to multiple positions as needed.
Jermaine Eluemunor, who was positioned at left guard, is competing for a more permanent role. Last season, while with the Las Vegas Raiders, he performed slightly above average, surrendering 28 pressures and six sacks across 905 snaps—an improvement over his teammate Evan Neal’s performance. Neal struggled last season, yielding 29 pressures and two sacks in just 460 snaps, including a challenging first game where he allowed eight pressures.
The Giants have experienced ongoing challenges with Neal, particularly due to injuries and developmental setbacks. In response, the team has made significant changes to their coaching staff, replacing offensive line coach Bobby Johnson with Carmen Bricillo. Bricillo is renowned for his ability to develop players and maximize their potential, particularly those who might fit better within his specific blocking schemes and coaching style.
The likely setup for the upcoming season will see Eluemunor at right tackle and Neal possibly shifting to right guard, allowing Runyan to return to his preferred position at left guard. Runyan’s impressive performance in 2021, where he allowed just 21 pressures and two sacks over 1611 snaps, and his flawless record in the first five games of the 2022 season as a left guard affirm his status as a top-tier pass protector.
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These strategic adjustments and the addition of skilled players are part of the Giants’ concerted effort to fortify their offensive line, aiming to create a more dynamic and robust unit capable of supporting their offensive aspirations for the 2024 season.