New York Giants: Top 10 needs after FA signings, trades
By Henry Buggy
#3 – Offensive Tackle
Despite adding this year’s top free agent offensive tackle, the Giants still have a significant need for a right tackle this offseason.
After signing Solder, Shurmur informed former first-round pick Ereck Flowers that he would be competing for the starting right tackle role. The Giants are unlikely to pick up Flowers’ fifth-year option on his rookie contract after landing Solder, but that doesn’t mean his future with Big Blue is necessarily over.
Flowers’ current competition for the starting right tackle role is Chad Wheeler and Adam Bisnowaty. Wheeler started five games as an undrafted free agent. Bisnowaty, a 2017 sixth-round draft selection, started in the team’s regular season finale.
Both players showed some promise in their rookie seasons. At the same time, neither are considered upgrades when compared to Flowers. The hope is that Bisnowaty and Wheeler continue to develop in year two, but Giants fans also know better than to just expect players to progress from year to year.
Just ask Reese. His blind faith in Flowers’ development is part of the reason he is no longer with the organization.
Adding a tackle in the upcoming draft makes plenty of sense for the Giants. This year’s class may not be as deep at the tackle position as years past, but there are prospects with Week 1 starter potential.
Mike McGlinchey, Connor Williams, Kolton Miller, and Orlando Brown are considered the top tackles in this year’s class. Brown’s draft stock took a hit at the NFL Scouting Combine, while Miller may have moved into the first-round with an impressive workout.
Martinas Rankin, Brian O’Neill, Tyrell Crosby, Chukwuma Okorafor, and Jamarco Jones are some other options that are likely to be available at the start of day two.
The Giants could also hope a player like McGlinchey or Miller slides to the second-round. The Jacksonville Jaguars lucked out with Cam Robinson falling to them at No. 34 overall just last year.
The G-Men are not only in need of an upgrade at right tackle, they also need to plan for the future. Solder has plenty of football left ahead, but he does turn 30-years-old this April.