New York Giants shift offensive line combination, here’s the projected starting unit for Week 2

It has only been one week in, and the New York Giants are already shifting up their offensive line and testing different combinations. On a short week against the Washington Football Team on Thursday night football, the Giants have elected to move center Nick Gates over to left guard, where Shane Lemieux played just 17 snaps last week before being replaced by Ben Bredeson.

Bredeson was traded from the Baltimore Ravens to the Giants several weeks ago. Big Blue sent over a fourth-round pick in exchange for Bredeson, a fifth and seventh-round selection. However, Bredeson is still learning the system and struggled in some facets in his first action with his new team. With that being the case, the Giants feel better moving Gates over to the left side.

Gates has never played left guard before, spending his rookie season at right guard and right tackle before making the full move to center. While he has been cross-training at both spots this off-season, there’s no guarantee he will be an adequate option.

Expected starting unit for the New York Giants against Washington:

LT: Andrew Thomas

LG: Nick Gates

C: Billy Price

RG: Will Hernandez

RT: Nate Solder

The Giants expressed confidence all off-season regarding their OL, indicating they had enough talent on the roster to get the job done. However, trading for two different players doesn’t exactly scream confidence and efficiency, but rather desperation.

With Billy Price taking over at center, the former first-round pick will undoubtedly have his work cut out for him. Price has 698 total snaps at the position, with the majority coming in his rookie year back in 2018. His best numbers came at center, which provide some sort of optimism against Washington for the Giants.

The coaching staff is treading above water right now, but they could quickly begin to sink if things don’t go well on Thursday night.