NY Giants: Five tackles Big Blue should consider in the draft
By Matt Clark
With a major deficiency at offensive tackle, the NY Giants are likely to spend a high pick in the draft on the position, here are five players to consider.
The tackle position has been a revolving door for the NY Giants for nearly a decade now, with ten different players starting at least six games at the right and left tackle positions over the past ten seasons.
The lack of continuity is a direct result of poor drafting, even worse free agent signings and overall negligence from both former general manager Jerry Reese and current general manager Dave Gettleman to adequately address a position that is so critical to the success of the team’s offense.
Reese thought he had his franchise tackle of the future when he drafted Ereck Flowers out of the University of Miami with the ninth overall selection of the 2015 draft. However, Flowers would flounder for the better part of four seasons with the Giants at both right and left tackle and the team would not pick up his fifth-year option on his rookie contract, making Flowers one of the biggest draft busts in NY Giants history.
Following the release of Flowers, Dave Gettleman thought he had finally addressed the void at tackle when he signed free agent tackle Nate Solder to a record 4-year $62 million contract in 2018. However, Solder has been a shell of the player he was in New England, allowing a whopping 18 quarterback sacks in his first two years with the Giants.
As a result, the NY Giants are rumored to be considering cutting Solder, eating $7 million in dead cap space to rid themselves of the underperforming tackle’s massive contract. If the team does, in fact, decide to move on from Solder, they will certainly be in the market for a new left tackle. With limited options in free agency and the premium contracts that the position commands, the best option to fill this need is through the draft.
The outlook for the future of the right tackle position for the Giants is not much brighter. Last offseason the Giants signed veteran offensive lineman Mike Remmers to play right tackle. However, back and leg injuries have severely limited the abilities of the 8-year veteran and while undrafted free agent rookie Nick Gates looked promising last season, the Giants may opt to upgrade the right tackle position in the draft as well.
The good news for the NY Giants is that this year’s draft is loaded with talent at the tackle position. One would have to believe that if the Giants will look to upgrade one or both of their tackle positions early on in the draft.
As a result, we examine five of the top tackles in the upcoming draft, as they are all potential targets for the Giants.