Giants 2022 UFA Primer: OL Matt Skura

Matt Skura, IOL

Height: 6’3”
Weight: 305 lbs.
Age: 29
NFL Exp.: 5 seasons
College: Duke

The New York Giants signed free-agent center Matt Skura to their practice squad in August to provide depth. Then in late September, after the team lost Nick Gates to a season-ending broken leg, Skura was elevated to the 53-man roster.

Though he wouldn’t play a single snap until Week 4, Skura started every game following the Giants' matchup against the Saints and predominantly did so from the left guard position. The last time Skura played as a guard was during his rookie season for the Baltimore Ravens in 2017, where he played 732 snaps from the right guard position.

2021 Recap

Over his five years in the league, Skura put forth the worst performance of his career in his sole season with the Giants. Although he was playing out of position throughout the entire season (he logged in just 56 of his total 769 offensive line snaps from the center position), Skura struggled to make much of his consistent starting opportunities and proved to be a liability against the pass.

In 14 games played, Skura managed to finish first on the team in hits allowed (10), placed second in pressures (32), and recorded a career-low pass-blocking efficiency rating (96.2). Despite providing solid run blocking and keeping his sack count to only two on the year, Skura found it challenging to produce the pass protection the way he once used to as a rookie right guard for the Ravens, where he only conceded one sack and posted a 97.1 pass-blocking efficiency percentage.

Skura also tied a career-high in penalties conceded last season, two of which were holds while the other two were false starts. (In 2017, Skura had no penalties at all.) Skura's performance suggested that playing guard simply isn't an ideal fit.

New York Giants wide receiver John Ross (12) makes a catch during the last day of mandatory minicamp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Thursday, June 10, 2021, in East Rutherford. — Giants 2022 UFA Primer: WR John Ross III :: Danielle Parhizkaran/NorthJersey.com via Imagn Content Services, LLC

Giants 2022 UFA Primer: OL Matt Skura / Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Dante Pettis. — Giants 2022 UFA Primer: WR Dante Pettis / Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

New York Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard (87) and safety Nate Ebner (43) hug as the Giants defeat the Dallas Cowboys, 23-19, at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, January 3, 2021, in East Rutherford. — Giants 2022 UFA Primer: DB Nate Ebner :: Danielle Parhizkaran/NorthJersey.com via Imagn Content Services, LLC

New York Giants running back Eli Penny (39) rushes against the Las Vegas Raiders in the second half at MetLife Stadium. The Giants defeat the Raiders, 23-16, on Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021, in East Rutherford. — Giants 2022 UFA Primer: FB Eli Penny :: Danielle Parhizkaran/NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK

Giants 2022 UFA Primer: ILB Reggie Ragland / Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Giants 2022 UFA Primer: DL Danny Shelton / Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Giants 2022 UFA Primer: QB Mike Glennon / Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports

Austin Johnson-New York Giants Training Camp Preview — Giants 2022 UFA Primer: DL Austin Johnson

New York Giants tight end Evan Engram (88) takes the field before kickoff of an NFL Week 12 football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati. — Giants 2022 UFA Primer: TE Evan Engram :: Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer via Imagn Content Services, LLC

Giants 2022 UFA Primer: OT Nate Solder :: Danielle Parhizkaran/NorthJersey.com via USA TODAY NETWORK

Giants 2022 UFA Primer: TE Levine Toilolo / Giants.com

Giants 2022 UFA Primer: OL Billy Price / Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

New York Giants safety Jabrill Peppers (21) participates in drills during the last day of mandatory minicamp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Thursday, June 10, 2021, in East Rutherford. — Giants 2022 UFA Primer: S Jabrill Peppers :: Danielle Parhizkaran/NorthJersey.com via Imagn Content Services, LLC

Giants 2022 UFA Primer: LS Casey Kreiter / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Giants 2022 UFA Primer: OT Korey Cunningham / Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Giants 2022 UFA Primer: OLB Lorenzo Carter / Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

New York Giants guard Will Hernandez (71) runs onto the field to play a snap against the Philadelphia Eagles in the second half. The Giants defeat the Eagles, 27-17, at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020. — Giants 2022 UFA Primer: OG Will Hernandez :: Danielle Parhizkaran/NorthJersey.com via Imagn Content Services,

Giants 2022 UFA Primer: DB Keion Crossen / Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Why Giants Should Keep Him

At age 29, Skura is still young and can provide a steady presence if the Giants should run into more injury setbacks on their offensive line. Skura was also one of the better run blockers for the Giants this past season, finishing with a 61.4 run-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus. Skura should be available for an inexpensive contract.

Why Giants Should Not Keep Him

Skura's play at left guard left much to be desired and reinforced the notion that center is his true calling. It also spoke volumes that when Nick Gates was injured in Week 3, the Giants turned to and stuck with Billy Price at center, even when Price himself was having issues.

Despite a half-decent display against the run, Skura’s pass-blocking was a disaster. He finished with a career-low 29.5 pass-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus as he allowed a career-high 32 quarterback pressures.

Keep or Dump?

The Giants could undoubtedly use Skura as an inexpensive depth player; however, if they're to fix the offensive line once and for all, they probably need to move on from Skura and look to acquire depth via the draft.

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