New York Giants Position Review: Offensive Line
It's the cliche that writes itself, but it's certainly applicable here to say that the New York Giants offensive line has been flat-out offensive for the better part of the last decade-plus.
The question is why. Is it the talent? The coaching? Injuries? Something else?
The answer: A combination. Before we review the historically bad 2023 version of the offensive line, let's look at some history dating back to 2018.
Since 2018, the Giants have drafted nine offensive linemen in virtually every round of the draft, the picks include IOL Will Hernandez (R2, 2018), T George Asafo-Adjei (R7, 2019), T Andrew Thomas (R1, 2020), T Matthew Peart (R3, 2020), IOL Shane Lemieux (R5, 2020), T Evan Neal (R1, 2022), IOL Joshua Ezeudu (R3, 2022), G/T Marcus McKethan (R5, 2022), and IOL John Michael Schmitz (R2, 2023).
Of that vast group, only one player, Thomas, has blossomed into anything close to resembling an All-Pro, and people were questioning if he'd ever admit to being anything more than a hill of beans after a dreadful rookie campaign.
Hernandez, who had an impressive rookie season only to see his stock drop, was not retained when he hit free agency but went on to become more than functional with the Arizona Cardinals.
Asaf-Adjei never suited up for the team. Peart couldn't beat out aging veteran Nate Solder for a job and then went on to have injury issues. We all know about Neal and the struggles he's had. Lemieux can't seem to stay on the field. Meanwhile, although Ezuedu, McKethan, and Schmitz have all been inconsistent, Schmitz has shown the most promise.
The player selection hasn't been a homerun--far from it. But one would think that the Giants might have had a better batting average than they currently do if the selection of offensive line coaches had been better throughout the years, where the constant turnover might not have been as pronounced.
As for the 2023 line, which allowed the second-most sacks in NFL history since sacks became a tracked stat, the biggest issue was the lack of depth development. People will point to the injuries, which certainly had a role in things, but if you have quality and trained depth at the ready behind the starters, usually you can survive a rash of injuries.
And to our eyes, regardless of the combination put on the field, the Giants offensive line never seemed cohesive or played "fast" enough to match their opponent's speed. We especially saw that with the lien's inability to pick up stunts, and when we see multiple guys struggling to execute, it's fair to wonder what they're being taught in the classroom and at practice.
The Giants didn't have that, and they paid the price for it. The good news is they have a chance to start over with new offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo, who worked wonders with the Raiders offensive line during the seasons he spent in Las Vegas. Bricillo was a quick hire by head coach Brian Daboll, which would suggest he either made the sale during an initial interview or Daboll just admired Bricillo's work so much that where the search seemed to be over even before it began.
If the Giants want to be in the postseason annually, they will need a LOT more from their offensive line moving forward. They have some talent there to build around, but they'll probably need more if they finally climb out from the cellar among teams with the worst pass-blocking efficiency rating.
Let's look at the individuals on the unit.
Andrew Thomas: Thomas's Week 1 hamstring injury set the tone for what would be a season to forget for the Giants offensive line. The good news is that although Thomas wasn't 100 percent from the hamstring issue, he was still effective in keeping his side clean, doing so with minimal help.
Evan Neal: Neal was no better in Year 2 than in Year 1. He continued to show balance issues, and it didn't help that the coaches asked him to play his pass sets at a 45-degree angle, where Neal's top-heaviness worked against him. Two ankle injuries, including one that ended his season, capped a forgettable sophomore campaign.
Tyre Phillips: The Giants brought Phillips back off the Eagles practice squad, where he had landed. When he stepped in at right tackle, Phillips held his own, looking far more comfortable than Neal. The pending UFA suffered a late season-ending quad injury, which puts his immediate future with the team in question.
Matt Peart: Peart has the size and talent to be a viable swing tackle in this league, but he lacks that junkyard dog mentality that is typically a staple of all good offensive linemen. It spoke volumes that when Andrew Thomas went down, the Giants plugged in Joshua Ezeudu, who had never practiced at that spot since joining the Giants.
Ben Bredeson: Bredeson proved his value in playing all three interior offensive line spots at various points in the season. He sometimes struggled with athleticism up front and was a part of the line's issues in picking up stunts. Still, as a depth player, he appears to have value.
Justin Pugh: Pugh brought a sense of calmness to the offensive line, sliding back and forth between left tackle and left guard. Unfortunately, Pugh's play was just as inconsistent and lacking as the rest of his o-line mates.
Mark Glowinski: Glowinski's Week 1 performance against the Dallas Cowboys was perhaps the worst game he's ever played. Immediately after that, he was banished to the bench in favor of Marcus McKethan, who had missed most of training camp. Glowinski made some cameos as a jumbo tight end and filled in at both guard spots when there were injuries, but it was clear that the Giants are planning to move on from him in the next few weeks.
Josh Ezeudu: Ezeudu has better than average athleticism, but when it came to the little nuances of the game necessary for him to take his play to the next level, that's where he needs additional development--and where you can make a case that the coaching failed him (as well as others). Ezeudu finished the season on IR with a toe injury, but the hope is he'll start to flourish and erase some of the inconsistencies in his game under new o-line coach Carm Bricillo.
Marcus McKethan: McKethan's lost playing time and lack of quality coaching left him struggling with some technique issues and the game's finer points, leaving him overwhelmed at times. He got a few starts at right guard, but that didn't work out as hoped, as his uncertainty with his landmarks and assignments caused him to play slowly.
Shane Lemieux: Lemieux not only struggled to stay healthy (again), but his work at the center during the summer left much to be desired. When healthy, he's a physical but limited blocker whose pass-blocking remains his biggest question mark.
John Michael Schmitz: Schmitz earned the starting center role, as expected, and went on to have an up-and-down season. Schmitz sometimes struggled with power, which an off-season in the weight room should help. To be fair, Schmitz also dealt with a shoulder issue suffered in Week 5 that cost him multiple games. But there was enough put on tape to be hopeful of Schimitz's being this team's long-term answer at center.
Sean Harlow: Harlow had been with the Giants in training camp, but he landed on the Cowboys practice squad once cut. The Giants brought him back when injuries started to hit the unit. He occasionally served as the jumbo tight end and showed himself to be reliable and assignment-clean. Still, the team will probably look to upgrade its interior depth in the coming months.
- Follow and like us on Facebook
- Submit your questions for our mailbag
- Check out the Giants Country YouTube Channel.
- Subscribe and like the LockedOn Giants YouTube Channel
