Rebuilding an NFL roster can be extremely tumultuous, and for the New York Giants, it hasn’t been an easy process. The team is still currently reinforcing the roster and building out the depth portions at specific positions. Spots like linebacker, cornerback, and the offensive line remain unpredictable. One position the Giants will look to build out will be at center.
Currently, the Giants have Nick Gates, Shane Lemieux, Spencer Pulley, and Jon Halapio competing for a starting spot.
Let’s take a look at each player and how they stack up for a potential starting spot with the New York Giants:
1. Shane Lemieux
The former Oregon starting lineman has worked hard to diversify his skillset and adapt to interior line positions. At 6-foot-4 and 310 pounds, Lemieux has a mean streak that shows on tape. He started out at left guard for the Ducks over four seasons, tallying 52 games in total. He was a team captain last year and earn second-team All-American and second-team Pac 12 accolades. He only missed one snap throughout his entire collegiate career, indicating he is a healthy player that takes care of his body.
General manager Dave Gettleman stated that Lemieux “plays mad,†and Judge back that up stating “he plays nasty.â€
Aggressive linemen are something Gettleman looks for in the draft, and securing Lemieux in the fifth round is a fantastic value grab. While I don’t anticipate him to be a starting player right off the bat, he has the physical traits to develop quickly. While the center position may suit him better, the Giants will look to insert him at guard as well to test his abilities and if he can act as a solid depth piece. Nonetheless, he will be competing for a starting position at center in 2020.