Coaches Corner: Spotlighting the Offensive line.

By Michael Stewart/@TheTruthNYG

In Joe Schoen’s first off season as the Giants new GM he made the Offensive line his top priority to fix by adding 11 new faces through free agency, the draft and in the UDFA phase. Has Joe Schoen done enough? Or does he still have more to do to get the Giants offensive line where it needs to be.  Let’s take a look at the current linemen on the Giants roster:

• LT-Andrew Thomas: Thomas has emerged as a solid LT in the NFL and there’s still room for improvement. The 4^th overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft has solidified his spot on the Giants offensive line and was the best Offensive lineman in 2021.
• LG-Shane Lemieux: Lemieux needs to prove to the new regime that he is worthy to start at left guard. After missing all of the 2021 season and grading out poorly as a pass protector, it will not be easy for him as this will arguably be the toughest battle in camp.
• C-Jon Feliciano: Feliciano will move to center in 2022 and attempt to anchor the Giants offensive line with solid play. There are still some question marks on whether or not Feliciano can handle the center position full time.
• RG-Mark Glowinski: Glowinski was Joe Schoen’s big free agent signing on the offensive line and he should pick up where he left off from his performance in 2021. Giving the Giants a solid lineman that the team has lacked since the departure of Kevin Zeitler.
• RT-Evan Neal: The Giants got the best tackle in the 2022 draft by all accounts and Neal will be a plug/play rookie that will have his bumps in the road at the start. However, he will be a force once the game slows down for him.
• LT-Matt Peart: Peart will start out on the PUP list when the season starts and it’s unclear on whether or not Joe Schoen views him as part of the Giants future or not.  This will be a wait and see as Joe Schoen will give Peart every opportunity to prove himself once he returns from the injury list.
• LR-Max Garcia: Garcia was signed as a free agent to add some veteran leadership and the opportunity to complete for a starting spot on the offensive line.
• RG-Jamil Douglas: Douglas was another free agent signing to add depth and insurance to an offensive line that had neither in 2021.
• RT-Matt Gono: The free signing of Matt Gono could pay dividends for the Giants in 2022 and a solid swing lineman to play either guard or Tackle if needed. Gono adds depth and talent at both positions and would give the Giants a capable backup during the 2022 season.
• C/G-Ben Bredeson: The Giants traded away a 4^th round pick to obtain Bredeson in 2021 and he didn’t play that poorly when given the opportunity. However, he would need to have an extremely productive training camp and by showcasing himself as a backup center could help earn a spot on the 53-man roster.  
• LT-Devery Hamilton: Hamilton is more than likely auditioning to make the practice squad than the 53-man roster. They’re just too many offensive linemen ahead of him on the depth chart.
• LG-Joshua Ezeudu: Ezeudu 3^rd round selection came as a shock initially on draft night. However, Ezeudu is a solid lineman who has played tackle as well. It wouldn’t be a shock to anyone if he starts at some point during the season.
• C-Nick Gates: Gates was the heart and soul of the Giants offensive line, and his devastating leg injury could sideline him for the entire 2022 season. I am not alone in hoping he returns to form once he is activated, hopefully he will still be a Giant.
• RG-Marcus McKethan: McKethan came via RD5 of the 2022 draft, and he is a pure road grader in the running game. McKethan would need to improve on his pass protection, which could determine if he makes the roster.
• RT-Korey Cunningham: Cunningham is young and serviceable backup for the Giants. He will more than likely develop his skills on the practice squad.
• G-Josh Rivas: Rivas is a UDFA signing and will need to battle hard just to be considered for a spot on the practice squad.  There are just so many spots of offensive linemen the Giants will carry on the practice squad.
• LT-Roy Mbaeteka: Mbacteka travels led him from Nigeria to New Jersey with the help from former Giants Osi Umenyiora. At 6’9 and weighing 320, Mbacteka not only has room to grow in terms of his body frame, but also on the field. The Giants will be patient will him as he could develop into a solid lineman.  

Over the last couple of seasons, the Giants carried 9 offensive linemen at the start of the season and this year will likely be the same. Looking at the current roster it appears that this group at least on paper appears to be much better than what the Giants offense line had in 2021 at any point of the season. However, will it be enough? Could the Giants offensive line rank somewhere in the middle of the pack in the NFL? If so, it would be a big leap and the best offensive line the Giants have had in nearly a decade. We are still a long way from the start of the season and GM Joe Schoen could add more pieces to the offensive line as long as he can fit them under the cap.