With Chad Wheeler likely on the chopping block at right tackle going into free agency, the New York Giants have several options to choose from. The available players the Giants can sign have known injury issues but represent the only true upgrade at the position.
Three options the New York Giants should consider at RT:
1.) Daryl Williams
The former Carolina Panther essentially missed all of 2018 with a knee injury that caused ligament damage. His value at right tackle is immense, though, if he can return to full health. A potential contract might look like — two-years, $15 million. Coming off a significant injury surely lowers Williams’ stock, which ultimately benefits the Giants and their lack of cap space.
Williams has completed only one season in four years after being drafted in the fourth round be then manager, Dave Gettleman.
In 2017, Williams finished the season with an 86.2 PFF grade. While he allowed pressure on occasion at right tackle, he was rarely ever beaten on the edge.
2.) Ja’Wuan James
The former Miami Dolphin has also endured a few injury issues over the course of his five-year career, missing games in 2015 and ’17.
Drafted in the first round of the 2014 NFL draft was James, who has been a consistent blocking edge tackle. He’s both solid in pass protection and in the run game. He would fit perfectly with the Giants, a team that features a right-handed quarterback.
It’s likely that James earns a nice dollar on the free agent market, somewhere in the three-year, $24 million range might award the Giants a new right tackle.
3.) George Fant
If Gettleman decides he wants to take a cheaper route towards fixing the tackle spot he could consider Fant as an option. The Seattle Seahawk has the raw ability to become a solid tackle but lacks the fundamental dominance to elevate his game.
Fant needs good coaching and a perfect fit into the right scheme to unlock his potential. The usual left tackle could swing over to the right and play on Eli Manning’s vision side. It might give him the confidence to increase his level of play being on a team that’s appropriating resources toward the offensive line and already has one of the most dominant running backs in Saquon Barkley to cover up blemishes.
Signing Fant would be a cheaper move, likely in the $3-5 million range. This is an unlikely scenario, simply because he has been developed as a left tackle. The better options would realistically be Williams and James.