I have been looking into recent history to get a hint of how the offensive re-tooling might look like.
Gettleman became pro personnel drector in 1999
In 2000, to retool the offensive line the Giants brought in Dusty Zeigler, Glenn Parker and Lomas Brown, moving Luke Petitgout to RT
In 2004 to retool the offensive line we signed Barry Stokes, Ed Ellis and Shaun O’Hara. We then drafted Chris Snee in the 2nd round.
In 2017 to retool the offensive line the Vikings signed two free agent tackles and drafted a quality center in the 3rd round
At Carolina Gettleman drafted Edmund Kugbila (R4/2013), Trai Turner (R3/2014), Daryl Williams (R4/2015)
As much as I might like to see Quenton Nelson playing for NYG, I just don't see it.
I think we will plug gaps in free agency and then use the draft to build for the future. Given where manning is at at his tage of his career, that approach makes the most sense.
These will probably be non-flashy, reasonably priced veterans. This will likely mean older vets or up and coming solid guys. At least one will be a tackle.
We may look at an interior Oline in the second round, but otherwise we are really looking at the 3rd and 4th rounds of the draft.
The only big ticket free agency OL signings from other teams under Gettleman's watch seem to be Kareem McKenzie in 2005 for NYG and Matt Kalil in 2017 for Carolina. One big ticket Oline is certainly possible (but seems more likely to happen at T).
The Kalil signing is a concern for me given the shallow OT market, huge amounth of cash available and our glaring need. Which is why I think trading for a LT is definately on Gettleman's radar. Cordy Glenn seems the most likely candidate, particularly with Gettleman's ties with Bills GM Brandon Beane, but there will be other options.
Maybe explore the potential cap-cut market to sign a vet to hold down one of the tackle positions a la Lomas Brown(Jared Veldheer, maybe Jason Peters or Donald Penn). Even a guy like Ju'wuan James is a possibility as he is young, and a starting caliber RT who can maybe be the next Kareem McKenize, a guy who holds down the RT position for the next 5 years.
Lastly, I fully expect the Giants to focus in on the OL in Rounds 2-4. Maybe a guy like Billy Price or one of the OT's who slips to round 2, as well as a developmental guy in round 4.
I want to get the biggest, most talented, committed collection of 7 to 10 badasses who have all of the intangibles that this unit has been lacking since 2008. We need to change the attitude and the culture immediately. We don't even need to have it sorted out as to who plays what position, just bring in a group of kickass motherfuckers who are willing to fight each other for the opportunity to block for Eli and possibly Barkley.
I would sign Jones & Fluker because they've earned it. Wheeler and Flowers have shown enough to hold out hopes that the new staff & scheme turns them into legitimate NFL OTs. I would go all in on Norwell and I would try to come up with a Tackle, a Guard, and a Center. I'd bring Sitton in for an interview, and I would also bring in the very talented Greg Robinson just to see if he might be about ready to get it together.
And our decent cap space, we need to come out of this off-season with a top five O-line . (We need to three new players)
The candidates --
From free agency .....
OT - Solder,
Guard - Norwell
From the draft ......
Guard - Nelson, Hernandez
Tackle - Brown, Williams
Center - Ragnow, Bozeman
Fleming
Fulton
Hubbard
These are all young players. I would love Norwell but you still need a good tackle to protect the QB for a long time. And frankly I think the Giants need a stud ILB too.
This line would also force Flowers into a "make-or-break" season.
Hopefully Jones re-signs to save money at center. If not then the team is def drafting a center by round 3 or spending unexpected money.
Wheeler a candidate for a starting position
Flowers a candidate for a starting position
Greco, Bisnowaty, Beckton candidates for depth
Jerry: I sit on the fence as whether he is worth a rostion or waste of space. I think his contract was a head scratcher. .
Draft a lineman in round 1 or 2. Then another in round 4.
I really don't see Gettleman spending big bucks on a guard as much as you all seem to be pushing it. I see him shopping for value as you said and more likely picking Olineman later in the draft
I agree, and think the Buffalo Tackle is his type of move. You are 100% on target -- if he buys big it will be at tackle and/or Center - and not at guard. This is why I don't see Pugh returning. Pugh is a guard. I don't think Richburg is returning either, because the tape on him is going to show he's not a very good value.
One thing is paramount -- the Giants need competition at Left tackle and they need a Center.
So I expect a decent Left tackle candidate out of (1-3 below) via FA or trade
(1) if the Pats let him go at least a play for Nat Solder,
(2) a play for Solder's back up, Flemming, who is a decent RT and able to compete for LT
(3) a chat about trading for Cordy Glen with Buffalo - he's a decent (LT) might be worth it for a mid to low day 3 pick
(4) a resign of Brett Jones - who is not really his size Center but who is a decent football player and will be a good value signing
(5) 2 more value vet signings for competition at Guard and Center
(6) Several OLineman as UDFAs
I also expect Gettlemen to draft at least 2 Offensive Lineman and he has a good track record with that
Norwood would be great ---- but he's really not affordable and not Gettleman's type of purchase -- he's Gettleman's type of purchase as a UDFA