The New York Giants have a far improved offensive line on paper compared to their 2021 unit. Having moved on from Nate Solder and Will Hernandez, the Giants already seem to be in a better spot, especially after allocating three draft picks toward the line.
Drafting Evan Neal, Josh Ezeudu, and Marcus McKethan should inject more starting-level talent and depth into a unit that desperately needs it.
In fact, even new offensive line coach Bobby Johnson indicated that players were suffering from “PTSD” based on the previous regimen’s strategy.
“I would say this: I did notice a sense of, in this profession whether you’re a coach or a player you have things that we call scar tissue or, not to make light of the situation, some PTSD over things that have happened to you that shape your identity or shape your philosophy, and there’s some guys I’ve interacted with that have had that, because of things that have happened in the recent past.’’
With several new players on the roster, Johnson can really begin to mold some of these youngsters into quality players.
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Ranking each position on the New York Giants offensive line:
1.) LT – Andrew Thomas
Andrew Thomas is the resident star on the OL, especially after enjoying a dominant 2021 season. Thomas struggled during his rookie campaign back in 2020, giving up 10 sacks, eight quarterback hits, and 39 hurries over 615 pass-blocking snaps. However, Thomas took a significant step forward last year, allowing just two sacks, three QB hits, and 13 hurries over 517 snaps.
The Giants expect him to continue dominating and setting the tone at left tackle, the most important position on the offensive line.
2.) RG – Mark Glowinski
The Giants signed former Indianapolis Colts guard Mark Glowinski to a $20 million deal over three seasons. At 29 years old, Glowinski has experience with the Seattle Seahawks and Colts but has gradually improved over time.
Last season, Glowinski gave up two sacks, eight quarterback hits, and 28 hurry‘s over 475 pass-blocking snaps, but he saw a tremendous uptick in efficiency during the second half of the season.
After Week 8, he didn’t allow a single sack, and after Week 10, his quarterback was not hit from that position. He did give up a few hurries every now and then, but his run-blocking production skyrocketed, and he became a true lockdown right guard. If he can play at that level for the Giants, he will provide a rock next to Evan Neal, who’s just starting to learn the ropes.
3.) RT – Evan Neal
The Giants utilized the 7th overall pick on Evan Neal recently. Neal is a 6’8″, 345-pound lineman who’s coming off a dominant season with Alabama. Neal has a healthy split of run and pass blocking snaps from 2021. He enjoyed 423 in the running game and 650 true pass-blocking stops. He gave up two sacks, six hits, and 11 hurries during his final season with Alabama.
One thing is for sure, Neal is going to be a dominant run-blocker right out of the gate with his mammoth size. There’s not a single edge defender that will be able to overpower him, but he has endured struggles with quicker pass rushers at times. If he can improve his pass protection gradually, he could become an elite right tackle in the foreseeable future.
As an added bonus, the Giants now have both tackle positions locked in on rookie contracts, giving them more flexibility in the future with salary space.
4.) LG – Max Garcia/Shane Lemieux.Josh Ezeudu
The Giants have a true position battle brewing at left guard with Max Garcia, Shane Lemieux, and Josh Ezeudu. All three players could easily steal the job, but I have my money on Ezeudu, who was phenomenal for UNC last season.
Ezeudu has great strength, featuring a tempered mentality in the run game. He has incredibly quick feet but needs to connect them with his hands more efficiently at the next level.
With experience at both left tackle and left guard, he completely understands that side of the line. It is entirely possible that Josh starts his career as a priority backup, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him earn starting snaps at some point in the season.
5.) C – Jon Feliciano
The most questionable position on the line is center, which is now housed by Jon Feliciano. Feliciano only has 323 total snaps at center but has learned from some tremendous talents in the past with Buffalo (notably Mitch Morse). He served as more of a versatile option for the Bills, but Bobby Johnson is giving him an opportunity to start, given his aggressive mentality and awesome style.
It is clear that Johnson considers him their tone-setter, but his inexperience could get him in trouble early in the season.