New York Giants: Nick Mangold Only Fits If He’ll Play Guard
The New York Jets have released veteran center Nick Mangold. Mangold is an intriguing player, but there’s only one way he’d fit the New York Giants.
Through the best and worst of times, the New York Giants’ intra-stadium rivals have been able to rely on Nick Mangold to show up and play his heart out. The 2006 first-round draft pick spent 11 seasons anchoring the Jets’ offensive line and carving out a decorated career as a Pro Bowl mainstay.
It may sound plausible for the Giants to poach the former Ohio State star from the New York Jets, but it only makes sense if Mangold is willing to change his position.
Jerry Reese and the Giants enter free agency with glaring needs throughout the offensive line. Both the left and right tackle positions need to be addressed, and New York could stand to improve at one of the two guard spots.
The one offensive line position that New York doesn’t need help at, however, is the position that Mangold happens to play: center.
Giants center Weston Richburg is one of the most underrated offensive linemen in the NFL. Though there is room for improvement in his run blocking, there aren’t many players at his position who do a better job in pass protection.
The statistics support that statement, as Richburg rated No. 1 amongst centers in pass protection on Pro Football Focus.
One could fairly argue that Mangold is a better center than Richburg at this stage of their respective careers. He’s certainly a more decorated player with three All-Pro selections and seven appearances in the Pro Bowl.
True as that may be, Mangold is also 33 years of age, while Richburg is 25 and improving with every passing season.
It could make sense in the short-term to start Mangold at center and bump Richburg over to guard, but that could stunt the 25-year-old’s development. He’s earned the starting role and has been a source of consistency and stability.
To reward his efforts with a change of position could be perceived as a slight—or, at the very least, could hurt his development as an individual.
If the New York Giants are going to sign free agent center Nick Mangold, it would only work if he makes the move to guard.