New York Giants: 5 top questions heading into training camp

Is the offensive line rebuild finished?

The short answer? Yes. The long answer? It’s never done. The signing of left tackle Nate Solder and the drafting of left guard Will Hernandez last year were two big steps forward in general manager Dave Gettleman’s “hog molly” initiative. It took awhile for the two to meld but the left side of the line eventually came together the second half of the season.

Gettleman set out to solve the right side of the line this offseason and found his right guard in the mega-trade with Cleveland that sent wide receiver Odell Beckham, Jr. and outside linebacker Olivier Vernon to the Browns.

Kevin Zeitler is perhaps the perfect player for the Giants. He’s a team-first veteran who is also one of the best pass-blocking guards in the NFL. He has already had a positive effect on Hernandez and some of the other young lineman. Last year, the Giants began the season with Patrick Omameh at right guard. He was a disaster and was let go after seven games. His replacement, Jamon Brown fared much better, hence the improvement of the offense in the second half of the season. Brown left via free agency in March.

Right tackle will initially be manned by veteran Mike Remmers, who was inked to a one-year, $2.5 million deal in May. Remmers had some success with Shurmur at right tackle when both were with the Minnesota Vikings in 2017. Remmers might be pushed by rookie George Asafo-Adjei and last year’s starter at right tackle, Chad Wheeler.

The center position is up for grabs between Jon Halapio, who began the season as the starter before breaking his ankle in Week 2. The Giants eventually turned to Spencer Pulley, a former starter for the Los Angeles Chargers. The Giants committed financially to both players this offseason, so it will be a open competition in camp this summer.

The line is not completely rebuilt, and Gettleman will continue to upgrade and augment when and where he can.