NFL Analyst Thinks Giants Could Look to Free Agency to Solve O-line Issues
The New York Giants gave up the most sacks in the National Football League this season (85) and the second most sacks in a season in NFL history. Their inability to protect the quarterback was arguably the biggest reason for their disappointing 6-11 season.
Two of the Giants' last five first-round draft picks have been used on offensive linemen, with mixed results. Offensive lineman Andrew Thomas has developed into a dependable tackle, but Evan Neal has yet to do so. Both were picked within the first seven picks.
The Giants have the sixth-overall pick in this year's draft, which puts them in prime position to get some of the best talent the draft offers at nearly every position. But would they once again use a premium draft asset to address what seems to be a never-ending rebuild of the offensive line?
They could, but NFL.com's Kevin Patra thinks the Giants would be better off going the veteran free agency route to help shore up a line that right now has question marks as to who will play both guard positions as well as if Neal will be healthy enough and ready to play right tackle.
New York has sought to answer its long-standing blocking issues through the draft. Since 2020, the Giants have used three of their nine first- or second-round picks on the offensive line.
Andrew Thomas is stellar when healthy, John Michael Schmitz showed flashes as a rookie, and Evan Neal has been disappointing. If the Giants are to improve on offense, GM Joe Schoen must supplement with reliable veterans -- both starters and depth pieces. Find a right tackle who could push Neal for the starting job. Adding blocking in free agency would allow Big Blue to use the No. 6 pick on a speedy weapon or defensive aid.
The Giants' problems with selecting offensive linemen so high in the draft could be a result of coaching, which head coach Brian Daboll seems to believe based on his decision to fire Bobby Johnson after two years and replace him with former Raiders offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo. The hope is that Bricillo can get more out of young talent like Neal, Schmitz, Marcus McKethan, and Joshua Ezeudu this coming year.
Meanwhile, as far as the draft goes, the Giants need a legitimate No. 1 pass-catching option for quarterback Daniel Jones, which leaves many people thinking that if the Giants don't get a quarterback in Round 1, they may as well zero in on a receiver.
As for the offensive line problem, coaching will only go so far. The Giants, as already mentioned, need at least two guards. One could come from the duo of McKethan and Ezeudu. But after seeing how veteran Justin Pugh helped to settle an otherwise young offensive line last year, Patra believes the Giants will lean more toward that solution to help bolster the quality of the line.
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