Can New York Giants Fluker be a difference maker?

Big Blue needed offensive line help in 2013. With the decline of David Diehl and Chris Snee, the unit was beginning to sag.

So with the 19th pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, the New York Giants selected Justin Pugh, offensive tackle out of Syracuse. It was apparent that the G-Men needed to add to the offensive line, but Pugh was not a fan focus. Instead, if we must go OL in the first round, the higher regarded D.J. Fluker had garnered more attention.

The draft class was stacked with offensive tackles. Leading the way were Eric Fisher, Luke Joeckel and Lane Johnson at the top of the board. It was clear that none of them would drop to the G-Men, but this did not alleviate the need. It appeared that Fluker was the last guy teetering on the edge of elite that could fall into the New York Giants hands at 19. Eight picks before Big Blue was on the clock the San Diego Chargers snagged the All-American from Alabama. Fluker was taken off the board, it made sense. Most mock drafts did not have him making it to the Giants at 19 either.

New York Giants

As a fan I remember thinking, if the next best OT isn’t on the same level as Fluker, is it worth spending a first round pick? Fortunately, Jerry Reese, Tom Coughlin and Giants’ scouts felt that Pugh fit into that elite group of linemen. Justin Pugh immediately stepped in at right tackle and started all 16 games as a rookie. He only allowed three sacks on Eli Manning in all of his first season. It was a very encouraging rookie year.

Pugh came into his own in the interior

Pugh spent his first two season on the right side at tackle. But after a 2014 season filled with injury and some struggles, it made sense to move Pugh to the left side. He was now playing in the interior, working alongside the newly drafted left tackle Ereck Flowers. Pugh found his home at guard after having a great 2015 campaign at the position.

Pro Football Focus has seen a steady progression out of Pugh.

"In both of his two seasons on the interior, Pugh has ranked in the top 10 in fewest total pressures allowed among guards with at least 350 pass-block snaps. Pugh has also produced in the run game, ranking as the seventh-best run-blocking guard in 2015 with a grade of 85.8.Pugh’s pass-blocking efficiency has steadily increased from his rookie year, posting scores of 93.4, 95.7, and 97.5 from 2013 to 2015. He was on course to improve again in 2016, earning a score of 97.7 (ninth among guards) in a strong start to the season before being injured in Week 9 (he ended with a score of 96.6 for the year)."

New York Giants did well

Four years removed from the 2013 draft, Justin Pugh solidified himself as one of the best players drafted in the first round in 2013. The lone exception is Lane Johnson, who was long gone before Big Blue selected at 19.

Turn the page to 2017. Justin Pugh and D.J. Fluker are now teammates. Pugh has turned out to be the better player, compared to Fluker, who has now also found himself playing at guard over the last two seasons. Fluker was a quiet addition for Big Blue this spring, as he is playing on what appears to be a one-year prove-it contract.

Can Fluker help solidify the interior?

Pugh, along with center Weston Richburg, anchor the unit. Fluker will be spending his summer battling for a starting position at right guard. Originally, he was a player that the New York Giants front office really liked during his time at Alabama. It will be interesting to see how this plays out for Fluker, who is still just 26 years old.

This young man will likely play a huge role in the team’s season.  Whether his impact is positive or negative remains to be seen. I look for a motivated Fluker to have his best year yet as a pro. He is playing for a contract, as well as playing for his pride after being released by the team who drafted him.

Justin Pugh was the player the New York Giants needed in 2013. Is DJ Fluker the player that the G-Men need in 2017?