The New York Giants have made signings at wide receiver and tight end. The next order of business appears to be signing an offensive lineman.
The New York Giants have a desperate need to improve along the offensive line. Following a season during which the pocket consistently collapsed and the running game couldn’t get anything going, New York appears to be realizing its own mortality.
With Eli Manning in need of protection and Paul Perkins in need of running lanes, general manager Jerry Reese appears to be making his move.
New York has two of the better offensive linemen in the NFL locked up already in Justin Pugh and Weston Richburg. It also has an offensive tackle whom Reese is committed to developing in Ereck Flowers.
According to Jordan Raanan of ESPN’s NFL Nation, the Giants are hoping to add another offensive lineman to the mix: D.J. Fluker.
For those who have been waiting for Reese to acquire an offensive lineman, here’s your sign.
Fluker, 25, was selected at No. 11 overall in the 2013 NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers. The former Alabama Crimson Tide standout was tasked with protecting Philip Rivers, whom the Giants infamously drafted and then traded for Eli Manning.
In New York, Fluker would have the task of protecting Manning from the incessant pressure that teams have successfully placed him under in recent seasons.
Though Fluker has graded poorly in run protection, he did an acceptable job of protecting the quarterback in 2016.
Fluker played right guard for the Chargers during the 2015 and 2016 seasons. Prior to making the move inside, however, he was the right tackle for San Diego, which may be where Reese is exploring his fit and overall upside.
Fluker has failed to live up to the hype during his NFL career, but he’s a three-time national champion who has improved since moving to guard.
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Regardless of which position he lines up at, the New York Giants appear to believe that D.J. Fluker can help solidify the offensive line.