Could Former Titans Center Interest Giants if Healthy?
New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen mentioned that among the competitions the team might be planning to conduct when the off-season program gets underway next month are left guard and center.
At the latter, the Giants have already lost Nick Gates via free agency to the Commanders. Jon Feliciano, the starter last season, is currently unsigned, but they do have Ben Bredeson, a guard by trade who can also play center, under contract.
If New York wants to add to the center spot, they could certainly hope to draft one next month--Minnesota's John Michael Schmitz is highly touted as the best center prospect in this year's draft.
Or, if they want to go the veteran route, perhaps a prospect such as Ben Jones, whom the Titans cut last week, might be worth considering if he is healthy.
The 33-year-old Jones has played some of his best football in recent years. Last year, he earned his first Pro Bowl honor. In each of the past two seasons, he has allowed only one sack. In 2020, he didn’t give up any.
Jones does not have lightning speed. You won’t see him pull as a lead blocker, and he sometimes struggles to reach the next level. However, he is an effective pass blocker.
For the Giants, pass protection is priority number one for incoming linemen, as quarterback Daniel Jones was the fifth-most sacked player in the league last year.
Against a standard four-man pass rush, the center is often a supplemental player. He sets the point of the pocket, picks up delayed blitzes, and helps on double-teams, assuming there isn’t a nose tackle lined head-up on him.
A healthy Jones would fit this role perfectly. He has no problem moving laterally to keep the pocket deep, allowing room for quarterbacks to step up into throws. He also does it without getting flagged, as he drew only five penalties last season.
To facilitate the desired competition up front, the addition of Jones would add a dose of leadership to an otherwise young unit. Just as veteran quarterbacks are often signed to help along a rookie, Jones could do the same for a prospect like Schmitz.
But again, Jones's health is a big factor. When he was cut, he received a 'failed physical' designation after landing on injured reserve last year with a concussion. Until he gets a clean bill of health, Jones's NFL future is likely to remain in limbo. However, if he is physically able to play and desires to continue his career. he could make for a low-cost veteran signing later in the off-season.
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