The New York Giants fell to the Jets in the first preseason game of the 2021 season, and they may have walked away with more negative than positive. With the team looking to find a healthy combination of offensive linemen, the unit struggled in multiple categories. Ranging from pass-blocking to run-blocking, only a few individual players looked the part, including Andrew Thomas and Will Hernandez.
The starters had their pros, but the second-string offensive lineman was a complete mess, as the Giants were forced to rely on Kenny Wiggins, former Detroit Lion, to supplement Shane Lemieux being inactive and Kyle Murphy leaving with an injury.
General manager Dave Gettleman promised the fixing of the OL years ago, but it has been several years, and the unit is still out of touch. Despite having tons of youth and potential talent, the team allowed their only above-average veteran in Kevin Zeitler to leave this past free agency. Getting rid of adequate veterans doesn’t seem like the most efficient move for a unit that ranked dead last in pass-blocking efficiency last season and is clearly weak in multiple spots.
Reapplying Zeitler’s funds toward a wide receiver is fine and dandy, but at the end of the day, if they can’t protect Daniel Jones in the pocket, the receiver becomes irrelevant.
Management does realize they have a weakness in the trenches and plan to acquire a few more linemen to compete.
With NFL teams required to cut their rosters to 53-men by August 31, we should see a flurry of moves in the coming days. The Giants can capitalize on a few surprise cuts, bringing in players for minimal salaries that can likely supplement deficiencies at specific positions.
Judge said there’s “a good chance” they add OL(s) before heading to Cleveland this week. Performance aside, the Giants are thin there with injuries.
— Dan Duggan (@DDuggan21) August 15, 2021
With Zach Fulton and Joe Looney retiring, the Giants are lacking significant depth, but there are ways to supplement that issue, and taking from other teams will be a priority. The Giants have a few preseason games remaining and dual practices with the Cleveland Browns and New England Patriots, and while they will be scouting their own players, taking a look at some of their roster-bubble OL candidates might not be a bad idea.