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NY Giants keep or dump? Who has to go after missing NFL Playoffs … Again

By Matt Lombardo

Dallas Cowboys safety Donovan Wilson (37) intercepts a pass intended for New York Giants tight end Evan Engram (88) in the second half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Dallas Cowboys safety Donovan Wilson (37) intercepts a pass intended for New York Giants tight end Evan Engram (88) in the second half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /
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NY Giants
New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports) /

Offensive line

LT – Andrew Thomas: STAY

Thomas’ rookie season was wildly inconsistent. But, there was a spell where he was the Giants’ most consistent offensive lineman, particularly during a stretch of games where he reverted to the technique he used at Georgia.

LG – Will Hernandez: STAY

Hernandez regressed dramatically in his third NFL season, largely because of diminished playing time. He’s only allowed 25 pressures and one sack, but appeared in just 54 percent of the Giants’ offensive snaps. At minimum, Hernandez should be given the opportunity to compete for a starting job next summer.

C – Nick Gates: STAY

The Giants signed Gates to a two-year contract extension worth $3.4 million per season through 2022, so the 25-year-old likely isn’t going anywhere. However, center is a position the Giants could look to upgrade this offseason, at minimum Gates could return as a swing lineman option.

RG – Kevin Zeitler: GO

The Giants tried to trade Zeitler at the deadline, but the Giants can free up $12 million in cap space while absorbing a $2.5 million dead money hit if they move on from the veteran guard this offseason. That cap savings will likely be more valuable than what Zeitler has done on the field this season.

RT – Cam Fleming: GO

Fleming was signed by the Giants to be the swing-tackle, in part because of his experience playing for offensive line coach Marc Colombo. Rotating throughout the season with rookie Matt Peart, and with Colombo gone, there’s little reason to bring Fleming back in 2021 after the veteran allowed 35 total pressures, six sacks, and four quarterback hits in 874 snaps.

OT – Matt Peart: STAY

It remains to be seen if Peart can develop into a starting bookend tackle opposite Thomas, but played well in his rotational snaps as a rookie. Peart produced an 81.7 run-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus, and allowed two sacks in 143 total snaps. At minimum, Peart is the ideal swing tackle should the Giants draft an offensive tackle in the first-round next spring or sign one of the best available in free agency.

OG  – Shane Lemieux: GO

The Giants hoped that Lemieux would push for the starting center job, or at least be competent at guard as a rookie, but that didn’t happen. Lemieux chosen in the fifth-round of April’s draft, has been a turnstile in his 456 snaps, allowing five sacks and 24 pressures while consistently looking overmatched. This is a spot the Giants must look to upgrade

OT – Nate Solder: GO 

Solder opted out of the 2020 season, on the heels of his most disappointing season as a professional in 2019. The Giants are on the hook for two more years with Solder, but can free up $6 million in cap space while absorbing a $10.5 million dead-money charge in 2021. That might be the most prudent move.

C – Spencer Pulley: STAY

Pulley is cheap, counting just $2.75 million against the cap, and while the organization purely views Pulley as a center he has the versatility and experience to play all three interior line positions.

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