2022 Giants Position Review: Offensive Line
For what seemed like to umpteenth time, the question regarding the New York Giants' offensive line in 2022 was whether it would be better or different.
General manager Joe Schoen sought to finally fix the unit, which has been an Achilles heel for the longest time. While he made some progress in that area, the line is still a work in progress.
First, let's look at the overall blocking performance. The Giants' offensive line finished with a Pro Football Focus Pass Blocking Efficiency of 82.8, 26th in the league. That's worse than the 2021 ranking of 83.5, which was 23rd in the league. The Giants also allowed 212 total pressures in 2022, up from the 190 allowed the year prior.
To be fair, the Giants' offensive line this year went through injuries at left guard and right tackle and, of course, had a rookie at right tackle, Evan Neal, who struggled some after returning from a knee injury. It's fair to wonder how much of an effect that might have had on right guard Mark Glowinski in trying to help the rookie.
The increase in pressure likely results from the fact that the Giants played two extra games (the wild card and divisional playoffs) in 2022 than they did in 2021.
That all being said, while we think the offensive line is headed in the right direction, there is still work to be done. For starters, they have to come up with a long-term solution at left guard--Ben Bredeson is under contract for one more season, and last year's draft pick Joshua Ezeudu, who looked to be the heir apparent, had his season cut short due to a neck injury.
They also need a long-term answer at center. Jon Feliciano did well enough, but it might be time for the Giants to bite the bullet and draft a college center for the long term.
Some more thoughts...
Left tackle Andrew Thomas continued to deliver solid outing after solid outing, having an answer for just about everything thrown his way. We thought he might be a Pro Bowler, but alas, a couple of bad showings (including one against the Cowboys in which he battled through a nasty stomach virus) denied him of that honor).
At times Thomas was susceptible to power, and there are concerns by us about his ankle, but his pass protection was top-shelf, as was his run blocking.
Neal, as noted, struggled in his first season, a mid-year knee injury not helping things and, at times, compromising his technique to where he became a waist bender rather than bending at the knees.
The most glaring issues with him were some movement and balance issues in his pass-blocking sets. We're not sure if that was a result of him trying to get after his man aggressively, his stopping his feet at times, or not having a plan as far as playing angles, but these are all things that we're sure will be looked at in his game by the coaches. Neal was a solid run blocker, but he struggled against speed and needs to come up with a counterplan to neutralize those speed rushers he'll continue to face.
Glowinski was reliable at right guard and started every game except for the Week 18 meaningless game against the Eagles. He battled through some injuries, including a back ailment that popped up, but he brought it as best as possible, given the circumstances.
PFF has him for allowing the second most quarterback pressures (37) on the team behind Neal, but how many of those are actually his doing versus someone else's is debatable. Glowinski should be the starter again next year at right guard, but with him set to turn 31 before next season, replenishing the talent along the interior offensive line has to be a top priority.
MORE 2022 GIANTS POSITION UNIT REVIEWS: Quarterback | Defensive Line | Receivers | Inside Linebackers | Edge Rushers | Tight Ends | Cornerbacks
Ben Bredeson became the starting left guard by default when the injury bug again cut down Shane Lemieux for a second straight season. Interestingly, he spent most of the year rotating at the position, first with Ezuedu before his season-ending injury and then later on with Nick Gates once he returned from his leg injury. In between, Bredeson missed several weeks with a knee injury.
Although he had to share snaps when he was on the field, Bredeson consistently played a smart, efficient game. So why rotate him with others? Probably because when it came to power and athleticism that one prefers to have in an offensive lineman, that's where his game fell short, that being noticeable against more mobile interior players.
Bredeson, who can also play center, is solid enough to continue holding a roster spot, though again, upgrades to the interior need to be high atop the to-do list.
Jon Feliciano's first full season at center was mostly successful, as there were no egregious hiccups in running the operation. But his game had its share of flaws stemming from a lack of flexibility. We're not so sure there was always a comfort level with his combo blocks and in pass sets, given the amount of pressure that seemed to come up the middle. Feliciano tied for second on the team (with Neal) in penalties (six), with four infractions being offensive holding.
Feliciano looked his best on long pulls where he could show off his mobility and where he played smart angles. An unrestricted free agent, we could see the Giants bringing him back for another year while at the same time adding a young center to groom for the long term.
Gates's return from what many believed was a career-ending broken leg suffered a year prior was celebrated by all. Playing most of his snaps at guard, when Gates did get called upon to play center, he was as efficient as they came--it was almost as though he was a different man playing center than guard.
Tyre Phillips joined the Giants at the start of the season off waivers from the Ravens but didn't get meaningful snaps until Neal injured his knee. Phillips, to our eyes, looks more like a guard who can play with power as he doesn't have the ideal feel to play in space. He held his own in run blocking. It is worth noting that three of his four penalty flags were for a false start, all coming in pass-blocking snaps.
Devery Hamilton was one of the nice surprises of training camp, looking for certain like he might be the first guy off the bench if there was an injury at guard and tackle. Then reality hit as during the regular season, when pressed into emergency action for Evan Neal against the Bears, Hamilton struggled against speed.
Matt Peart returned to the roster after overcoming a late 2021 injury, but his playing time was limited. Peart's run blocking is solid enough, but there was no consistency in his pass blocking. One wonders if a move inside to guard might be in his future, assuming he sticks with the team
Ezeudu has a nice combination of size, physicality, and mobility. A lingering neck issue derailed his rookie campaign, and there is optimism that he should be good to go come the summer. If so, figure he'll be projected long-term at guard, with the hope that he'll win the position for the foreseeable future, assuming he can tighten up his technique and foot movements in pass blocking.
Jack Anderson, originally acquired by Buffalo before having a stint with the Eagles and then coming to the Giants, was active for 12 of the team's 18 regular-season games. Recently signed to a new contract, Anderson has good size and a physical style. The Giants might have something there if he can beef up his pass-blocking prowess.
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