The New York Giants can approach upgrading the right tackle position in two ways – utilize the 2019 NFL draft to address the spot, or they can scour the free agent pool for a potential fix.
The primary right tackle option in free agency will be former Carolina Panthers’ Daryl Williams. Interestingly enough, Giants’ current general manager Dave Gettleman was the one that drafted the hog-mollie back in 2015. He was a fourth-round pick that has displayed quality at the professional level with top-10 grades in both run and pass-blocking in 2017, according to PFF.
Williams is the definition of what an offensive lineman is supposed to look like. He’s 6-foot-6, 330-pounds of pure killing machine. He would surely be an upgrade over Wheeler at RT who ranked dead last in the NFL among qualifying tackles.
According to PFF:
Williams is another player that is sidelined for the remainder of the 2018 season due to injury. It’s a tough break for the fourth-year tackle, as he was coming off a breakout 2017 season in which his 78.0 overall grade ranked behind only Ryan Ramczyk and Lane Johnson at the right tackle position. He showed effectiveness as a run blocker and as a pass blocker with top-10 marks in both among right tackles. Coming off of his rookie contract, Williams makes an intriguing tackle option in the 2019 free agency class. If his improvement in 2017 is anything to go by, whichever team ends up signing him could end up with one of the top tackles in the league.
While addressing holes through free agency isn’t the best plan, it surely will insert quality with less fear of developmental road-blocks.
What options are available in the draft?
Jawaan Taylor, OT, Florida:
While Taylor will likely be a first-round pick, the Giants can’t rule out selecting a franchise tackle to solidify their line for years to come. Ultimately, grabbing a quarterback will be the priority, and if the front-office wants to take a risk on OSU’s Dwayne Haskins or Duke’s Daniel Jones, they will have to pass on establishing a dominant line.
There are options for the Giants, but Taylor is an absolute monster in both the run and pass game.
Jonah Williams, OT, Alabama:
I have seen several mock drafts that have Williams going in the top-10 picks of the draft this year, while some scouts claim he’s a late-round, possibly even a second-round draft choice.
If Williams drops to the second, I would anticipate that the Giants trade-up to grab him at all costs.
Here’s what Walter Football has to say about him:
Williams has played well for Alabama, and some team sources say they have graded Williams as a late first-round pick, while others have graded him in the second round. He is a smart blocker who is steady and reliable. Some sources say they are projecting Williams to right tackle or guard, and think he would only be an emergency left tackle who could finish out a game because he’s smart, but teams wouldn’t want him to start at left tackle in the NFL. Others think he could stay at left tackle, and some think he should be a center. The Alabama staff told scouts this year they wanted to play Williams at center as a senior but the other players on their roster forced them to play Williams at left tackle.
The Giants have 11-picks in the upcoming draft, which will allow them to address several important position that are in need of starting quality and depth. If they are able to draft a top quarterback and still snag an offensive lineman, they will be in very good shape moving forward.