NYG are still somewhat thin on offensive line

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And having been wondering what they are thinking? Ignore the most important position for the offense to succeed??

but for all we know they like Ben Bredeson far more than we realize. Remember back 3 years ago when we thought that the Giants were going to take a center early in the draft but they didn't because they liked Gates for the role.

I am not saying that Bredeson is the answer but it's something to consider. Ideally a good center falls to them on day two that can solidify the position for 8+ years.

He was a good run defender but awful in pass protection because he was making too many mental errors. As he gained more experience there he improved each game until going on IR. With a full offseason he could be a solid player at LG plus it helps that he gets to play next to Andrew Thomas.

Seem likely the first 2 rounds unless a tier 1 guy falls.

By far the biggest storyline for me going into year 2 is Evan Neal’s progress. He was bad. His progress or lack thereof will make the offense go or falter.

In comment 16067690 Jay on the Island said:

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He was a good run defender but awful in pass protection because he was making too many mental errors. As he gained more experience there he improved each game until going on IR. With a full offseason he could be a solid player at LG plus it helps that he gets to play next to Andrew Thomas.

I like Ezeudu as well. But you can’t pay Jones the money they are paying him and bring Barkley back, and not have some studs on the interior. They’ve got 2 average, not bad interior players and essentially a rookie at LG.

I’d continue to draft OL in the early rounds.

We have bodies and guys they like. We are lacking true dependable starters that we can rely on. Everyone we have us basically a question mark outside of Thomas.

Depends on progress from last year’s rookie class, especially Neal. And McKethan is coming back too.

It’s much too early to be worried about depth in the OL.

Neal is a concerning. Draft early rounds. You have to shore up that line. It’s the key.

In comment 16067696 robbieballs2003 said:

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We have bodies and guys they like. We are lacking true dependable starters that we can rely on. Everyone we have us basically a question mark outside of Thomas.

100% this. We have bodies. There's been years when we were truly actually thin. Thin, and bad.

Feliciano is still out there. There are pretty good centers that can be had in round 1 or 2.

get time at guard in training camp and the preseason. I think that his skill set makes sense inside at guard.

In comment 16067696 robbieballs2003 said:

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We have bodies and guys they like. We are lacking true dependable starters that we can rely on. Everyone we have us basically a question mark outside of Thomas.

Right, which isn’t ideal..

Gettleman’s biggest flaw was thinking he was set at certain positions just because he drafted players at that position. Perfect example of this was Will Hernandez.

Just because we have bodies and “starters” should not make Schoen shy away from taking OL talent early.

In comment 16067708 Rjanyg said:

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Feliciano is still out there. There are pretty good centers that can be had in round 1 or 2.

Centers such as the C from Michigan are players they should target in the mid rounds.

about the OL, suggesting that the Giants had 14 under contract, I get the feeling that they want to develop the players that they already have.

They could go OC in RD 2 or 3 if Feliciano doesn't come back, but I doubt they spend a premium pick on a G.

Ezeudu would change the whole trajectory of the OL if he becomes a good player this season. But, that’s a fairly optimistic approach.

In comment 16067712 ryanmkeane said:

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In comment 16067696 robbieballs2003 said: Quote: We have bodies and guys they like. We are lacking true dependable starters that we can rely on. Everyone we have us basically a question mark outside of Thomas. Right, which isn’t ideal..

Absolutely. But if we add to the group it needs to be a dependable starter. That's all I am saying.

In comment 16067690 Jay on the Island said:

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He was a good run defender but awful in pass protection because he was making too many mental errors. As he gained more experience there he improved each game until going on IR. With a full offseason he could be a solid player at LG plus it helps that he gets to play next to Andrew Thomas.

When they drafted Ezeudu, I thought he might ultimately be worked into playing center. He's cerebral in addition to being big - though he's not as big as Feliciano who's the same height, but heavier. Ezeudu to center may still be a possibility.

1. Ocyrus Torrance
2. Trade up for John Michael Schmitt

In comment 16067726 robbieballs2003 said:

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In comment 16067712 ryanmkeane said: Quote: In comment 16067696 robbieballs2003 said: Quote: We have bodies and guys they like. We are lacking true dependable starters that we can rely on. Everyone we have us basically a question mark outside of Thomas. Right, which isn’t ideal.. Absolutely. But if we add to the group it needs to be a dependable starter. That's all I am saying.

To clarify my last statement, I am solely talking about FA. I do think we can see a draft pick or two along the OL. If we went two, it would be basically a G/C and a G/T type. I'd be surprised if we double dipped on guards only.

I would expect more additions....at a minimum return many of last year starters.

Neal must improve.

They must get a center.

Improvements at both guards would be nice.

It would really be kick ass if Schoen went OG-C rounds 1-2.

Not likely to happen. But it would be interesting.

We have to assume Neal will be better this coming year. And if that doesn't work out we're in big trouble as Schoen won't invest much draft capital this year in another impact tackle. He will likely focus on G and C in draft. I wouldn't expect much more help in FA - we're getting close to being out of cap space.

In comment 16067701 prdave73 said:

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Neal is a concerning. Draft early rounds. You have to shore up that line. It’s the key.

If Neal bombs, not good
If he steps up to be at least competent in pass pro and very good in run game. Big difference
Same with ezuedu.
I think they both have the talent. Depends on how much of an improvement
Definitely would be looking oline with one of the first 3 picks.
With luck, mckethen shows something too
Eventually we have to develop a mid rd pick that turns into a solid starter.

are what got Schoen this far. Don't abandon your roots!

Re-inforce your O-line!!!

Starters are somewhat set aside from center (assuming Ezeudu takes the leap for LG), but assuming we learned our lesson from 2021, they need a swing tackle as well as some IOL who can play.

I would bet they address this with the second and third waves of FA. It's still early in the offseason.

In comment 16067729 Earl the goat said:

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1. Ocyrus Torrance 2. Trade up for John Michael Schmitt

I am coming around to that conclusion too...

Ezeudu, Bredeson, Neal - no one can say with absolute certainty these three or any combination will be reliable this coming season. In fact, I would say the chances are more likely one or all three will struggle throughout the season.

My hope is that all 3 can improve each week to the point of being efficient by the mid point or thereabouts.

OL for immediate solutions. Oh wait, rookie OL USUALLY STRUGGLE! People around here seem to forget that. They will likely take a center, but they have a number of young guys that need to play and develop. Thomas and Glowinski are solid, but everyone else needs to develop (including Neal). Anyone else they draft will likely be for depth and fro development.

He seems like a good value where we pick. Wisconsin OL seem to flourish in the NFL.

and then they never want to let guys develop. I agree they need to add some players, but Ezeudu was coming on strong before he got hurt. Bredeson was mostly good when healthy. You should add OL every year. But don't give up on these guys.

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Maybe 6th or 7th round. But no chance in day 1 or 2. I think they believe in what they have on the OL. Not that they don’t want better talent but it’s not a priority. Not this year.

There’s definitely a difference between being thin and then thin on talent.

Giants aren’t thin. They have guys that should be competent.

I just think if we want to compete for the division, we need 1 more pro bowl player on the OL. Find that guy in the draft.

In comment 16067823 BillT said:

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Maybe 6th or 7th round. But no chance in day 1 or 2. I think they believe in what they have on the OL. Not that they don’t want better talent but it’s not a priority. Not this year.

They were confident in 2021...that worked out well.

This unit is better, but they have no center on the roster right now and their LG is either Bredeson or Ezeudu. Glowinski also sucked in his first year here, and they have nothing behind Thomas and Neal.

Bottom line, they NEED to add to the position.

They need to find a difference maker at interior OL in the draft and not just another mid round body to develop.

The value seems to be at Center. It looks like they should be able to get a good prospect into round 3 at the position.

They should really wait on corner. I think they can get value there later in the draft and Wink has proven he can make it work with scrap heap guys at the position if necessary.

On the offensive line? Besides Thomas, Ezeudu, Bredeson, Glowinski and Neal that you mentioned they have...

Tyre Phillips
Matt Peart
Devery Hamilton
Korea Cunningham
Shane Lemieux
Marcus Mckethan
Jack Anderson
Wyatt Davis

Thin? That's 10 players outside of the 5 you mentioned. I am sure the giants will add some offensive linemen for competition, but thin is not the word to use in describing the offensive line.

as quality. Lots of draft picks and free agents on the line, grabbing others means letting some go.

As others have mentioned, Neal improving is so paramount to this offense. When defenses beat you with a blitz or a stunt, I get it, it happens, but when OL are losing one on one battles easily, that stunts the entire offense.

I like the idea of drafting Cody Much in the first round, he can play all positions on the offensive line, and if Neal struggles for whatever reason, wouldn't be a bad option to have.

Receivers aren't going to catch a 20-yard pass when the QB is under fire in 1 1/2 seconds.

And could use an upgrade at swing tackle over Peart/Phillips.

I think they are deep with bodies at guard. Nobody really spectacular, but Bredeson/Glowinski are at least competent. Ezeudu was a high pick last year who can develop into a starter. They also have McKethan, Lemieux, Davis, Anderson, and Kindley.

I have high expectations for Ezeudu and McKethan at th OG spots. Bredeson is good depth. They need more depth and they need a good OC. I'd draft a C relatively high and also play Bredeson there a lot this summer as a potential backup. I trust Schoen to find one or two legit OCs and if the 2 rookies progress the way I think they will, we can actually have a good OL.

The forgotten Giant (and giant).

Ezeudu at center too.
They'll be looking for discarded vets as team clear cap space. There will be plenty of OL to pick up.

Art Stapleton @art_stapleton2h
I expect Jon Feliciano back at some point to defend his starting spot at C. Could see a rookie drafted there, too. Maybe a FA. If Ezeudu is healthy, could see a Year 2 leap from him. Showed flashes. Phillips and Bredeson are solid. High hopes for McKethan before ACL last year.

Art Stapleton @art_stapleton
Giants offensive line LT Andrew Thomas LG Joshua Ezeudu C RG Mark Glowinski RT Evan Neal G/T Tyre Phillips G/T Marcus McKethan G Ben Bredeson G Jack Anderson G Wyatt Davis G Solomon Kindley G Shane Lemieux T/G Devery Hamilton T Korey Cunningham T Matt Peart

…..and thought of this thread.

In comment 16067978 GiantBlue said:

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Art Stapleton @art_stapleton2h I expect Jon Feliciano back at some point to defend his starting spot at C. Could see a rookie drafted there, too. Maybe a FA. If Ezeudu is healthy, could see a Year 2 leap from him. Showed flashes. Phillips and Bredeson are solid. High hopes for McKethan before ACL last year. Art Stapleton @art_stapleton Giants offensive line LT Andrew Thomas LG Joshua Ezeudu C RG Mark Glowinski RT Evan Neal G/T Tyre Phillips G/T Marcus McKethan G Ben Bredeson G Jack Anderson G Wyatt Davis G Solomon Kindley G Shane Lemieux T/G Devery Hamilton T Korey Cunningham T Matt Peart …..and thought of this thread.

I hope not on Feliciano. If they want to being him back to compete at OG and supply depth, then maybe. But, he was absolutely terrible at OC.