New York Giants Banking on Seventh Round Pick to Pan Out at Right Tackle

New York Giants, George Asafo-Adjei
May 4, 2019; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants offensive tackle George Asafo-Adjei (78) speaks to media during rookie minicamp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Sarah Stier-USA TODAY Sports

One of the more exciting position battles for the New York Giants heading into the 2019 season will be at right tackle. The current starter, Chad Wheeler, was an undrafted free agent out of USC, and he was the featured player in 2018 after Bobby Hart took his lack of talent over to the Cincinnati Bengals.

However, the Giants have finally created a bit of competition at the position, adding George Asafo-Adjei out of Kentucky. The 6’5″, 315-pound tackle will be thrown into the mix, but it’s Wheeler’s job to lose at this point. Unless GM Dave Gettleman goes out and signs a player like Mike Remmers, it’s seeming like the RT position will be a toss-up, which is not entirely a good thing.

The New York Giants have allocated plenty of resources towards the O-line:

Fixing up nearly every other position on the line, Eli Manning’s vision-side is still lacking a premium talent. Trading for Kevin Zeitler at right guard should assist in providing Manning with more time in the pocket, but decent edge-rushers will have no problem exposing the outermost portion of the line.

While Asafo-Adjei was drafted in the seventh round, he had his fair share of opportunities to develop, despite being at a smaller football school at Kentucky. Luckily, he had the chance to face off against the No. 7 pick in the draft, Josh Allen, one of the draft’s most exciting pass-rushers.

Big George’s daily practice while in college was not easy, especially considering the talent he was lined up against.

“It wasn’t one-sided, I can promise you that,” said Kentucky offensive line coach John Schlarman. “George won his share of the battles, for sure. I think he, in turn, helped Josh get better.”

“It was a back and forth deal. It wasn’t a one-sided deal where Josh went out and dealt it to George every single day. It was very competitive.”’

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That certainly helped the Giants’ new lineman elevate his game and play at a higher level. It will benefit him in the long term and allow him to adapt to the physicality and speed of the NFL quicker. We cannot forget that he’s a seventh-rounder for a reason, though. He has plenty of flaws that need to be corrected — a lack of fundamental skills stands out from his film. Hand placement, inconsistent foot-work, imbalances…

I don’t expect George to realistically fight for the starting job right off the bat, but a season of development will assist in his growth tremendously, and with his size, he could be the steal of the draft.