2. An improved offensive line
The four-word subhead of this page is really all that needs to be said here, as that is music to Daniel Jones’ ears.
It’s not a secret that better offensive line play leads to better quarterback play, and it looks like Dave Gettleman and Joe Judge took that sentiment to heart entering the 2020 NFL Draft.
When it was all said and done, the G-Men took three offensive lineman in the first five rounds; Georgia’s Andrew Thomas at No. 4, UCONN’s Matt Peart at No. 99, and Oregon’s Shane Lemieux at No. 150.
*Hog Molly appreciation tweet* pic.twitter.com/8Q6C61FVP1
— New York Giants (@Giants) April 26, 2020
These moves were significant for a few different reasons, the main being that is showed a commitment by Gettleman and company to finally creating a solution to the offensive line that extends beyond a year or two.
Last year’s front five, although improved in the second half of the season, was not a long-term solution for the group and if gone unaddressed, would have been a clear message that Jones’ longevity was not a priority moving forward.
The trio of Solder, Halapio, and Remmers were nothing more than band-aids on a wound that required stitches – and this year’s drafted hog mollies are those much needed stitches.
Now with Thomas, Peart, and Lemieux to go along with Cam Flemming and Nick Gates, for the first time in a long time the New York Giants have a solid young core on the offensive line.
The projected starting five will look something like this:
LT: Andrew Thomas
LG: Will Hernandez
C: Gates/Lemieux
RG: Kevin Zeitler
RT: Nate Solder
With Gates, Lemieux, and Pulley able to play any of the three interior positions, Flemming available as a swing tackle, and Peart the eventual long-term solution at right tackle, the depth is one of the most exciting aspects of the offensive line unit.
The cherry on top of all this is this new unit gets to work with newly hired offensive line coach Mark Colombo, a 10-year NFL veteran who has been working with the Dallas Cowboys offensive line since 2016.
New talent, a new coach, a franchise left tackle, and depth – Daniel Jones can breathe a sigh of relief that he will be better protected in year two.