5 biggest areas New York Giants must address this offseason
By Erik Slater
Right Tackle
The New York Giants offensive line, particularly the tackle position, has been the downfall of the offense for more than three consecutive seasons.
Former general manager Jerry Reese neglected the issue in his final years with the organization. Following his disastrous selection of Ereck Flowers at 10th overall in 2015, Reese did not select a lineman in the first five rounds of the 2016 or 2017 drafts. In his final draft with the Giants, Reese passed on second-team All-Pro selection Ryan Ramczyk to take Evan Engram at 22nd overall.
Reese chose to start a struggling Ereck Flowers at left tackle and 2015 seventh-round pick Bobby Hart at right tackle. The result was a complete disaster that cost Reese his job.
In his first year as General Manager, Dave Gettleman did what he could to improve the Giants’ horrid offensive line. He signed Nate Solder to a 4-year, $62 million contract and drafted guard Will Hernandez with the 34th pick in the draft.
Flowers moved to right tackle where he continued to struggle. The former top 10 selection was released five weeks into the season. Then, 2017 undrafted free agent Chad Wheeler took over for Flowers at right tackle. Wheeler played to the best of his ability but was frequently overmatched.
The left side of the line is set with Solder at tackle and Hernandez at guard. Gettleman will likely re-sign Jon Halapio and Spencer Pulley to compete at center. Mid-season acquisition Jamon Brown is likely to be back competing for the starting right guard position in 2019.
Right tackle is the most glaring question mark on New York’s offensive line. The draft offers talented prospects that would offer immediate help at tackle.
Alabama’s Jonah Williams is the top prospect in the class. At 6’5″, 300 lbs, Williams shows great hand placement, lateral quickness and power in his pass sets. While he struggles with speed rushers at times, Williams is clearly the most NFL ready tackle in the draft and will be off the board in the top 10.
Ole Miss lineman Greg Little, West Virginia’s Yondy Cajuste and Florida’s Jawaan Taylor all have first-round potential. If the Giants go in a different direction at six, Gettleman could look for Cajuste or Taylor to slip into the second round. If not, he could trade up to secure a tackle in the late first.
The free agent market for tackles will be thin this offseason. Carolina’s Daryl Williams and Miami’s Ja’Wuan James represent the best options for New York.
Williams earned the starting job at right tackle for Carolina in 2017 and was named AP All-Pro Second Team. The fourth-year Panther tore his MCL in training camp this season and started in the season opener against the Cowboys before re-injuring the knee in the fourth quarter.
James has been Miami’s starter at right tackle for each of his first five seasons. The Tennessee product started 15 games for the Dolphins in 2018, allowing six sacks.
The Giants’ offensive line has been an area of weakness for far too long. Acquiring a starting-caliber right tackle would go a long way in opening up New York’s potentially explosive offense.