The NY Giants’ offensive line remains very much a work in progress, despite selecting offensive tackle Andrew Thomas No. 4 overall and choosing two other offensive linemen in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Inconsistency up front created a barrage of pressure on quarterback Daniel Jones, which played a role in his disappointing regression in his second NFL season. Jones withstood 45 sacks, 56 hurries, 55 quarterback hits, and 156 total pressures.
The NY Giants’ leaky and inconsistent offensive line allowed pressure on 30 percent of Jones’ dropbacks in 2020.
That is simply not sustainable.
Thomas had an up-and-down rookie campaign, surrendering 10 sacks and 57 pressures en route to a 62.4 overall grade from Pro Football Focus. Matt Peart showed moments of promise, but still allowed two sacks in 84 pass-blocking snaps. Meanwhile, Shane Lemieux was dramatically overmatched, finishing his rookie season with a 32.2 overall grade from PFF.
As Pro Football Focus points out, the offensive line might be the biggest need:
"This unit ranked a respectable 12th in rush yards before contact per attempt, but 31st in pressure rate allowed. Note that Daniel Jones didn’t help matters with a below-average time to release. Either way, upgrading from free agent RT Cameron Fleming should be a priority, and this unit as a whole should be prioritized for as long as Jason Garrett remains the (underwhelming) offensive coordinator."
Ahead of the 2021 offseason, the NY Giants have needs along the offensive line, in the front-seven, at wide receiver, and in the secondary that must be filled if this team is going to make significant strides if it is going to return to the postseason for the first time since 2016 and just the second since winning the Super Bowl in 2011.
Here’s a look at five possible targets through free agency and the 2021 NFL Draft that could plug the NY Giants’ holes along the offensive line:
1) Joe Thuney
Joe Thuney is among the premier offensive guards, and as FanSided’s Matt Verderame reports, a reunion with the New England Patriots remains possible.
However, if Thuney shakes loose and hits the open market, the 28-year-old makes a lot of sense for the NY Giants alongside Thomas or at right guard.
As PFF points out, Thuney has allowed just three sacks since 2018, while playing 2,008 pass-blocking snaps. That kind of consistency and veteran leadership could be exactly what the Giants need along the line.
Judge was the Patriots’ special teams coach with Thuney in 2016, and a reunion could make a lot of sense.
2) Cam Robinson
Some team is going to get a burgeoning offensive tackle this offseason, and the NY Giants would be wise to at least kick the tires on Cam Robinson.
Robinson, a former second-round pick, had the lowest missed-block percentage of his career, according to Sports Info Solutions; missing just 3.5 percent of his blocks, 4.2 percent of his pass blocks, and only 1.9 percent of his run blocks.
Pro Football Focus says Robinson allowed 40 pressures in 662 pass blocking snaps while producing a 61.8 overall mark and 66.4 pass blocking grade.
Primarily a left tackle, if the Giants have any designs on moving Andrew Thomas to the right side, Robinson would be an affordable book-end option for at least the next two years until the organization makes a determination on whether Peart can be a long-term solution.
3) Alijah Vera-Tucker
Perhaps the surest path to sustained success along the offensive line, and for the offense at large, is to continue building the offensive line through the NFL Draft.
Sitting at No. 11 overall, the NY Giants could have their pick of one of the best available wide receivers, cornerbacks, linebackers, or even offensive tackles.
While Oregon standout Penai Sewell will likely be a top-five selection, another PAC-12 tackle could be on the NY Giants’ radar in the first-round or perhaps at the top of the second; USC’s Alijah Vera-Tucker.
Vera-Tucker, 6-foot-4 and 315 pounds, has the versatility of playing tackle or guard, which could make him even more valuable to the Giants. Last season, Vera-Tucker only allowed four sacks and six total pressures, according to PFF.
Consistency is the name of Vera-Tucker’s game, and what just might make him an ideal fit for the Giants with one of their first two picks in the draft.
4) Wyatt Davis
There is a legitimate chance that Kevin Zeitler winds up as a cap casualty this offseason, and Davis could be an ideal replacement in the middle rounds of the NFL Draft.
Davis was a potential second-round pick before suffering a leg injury in the National Championship, which could push him to Round 3 or 4,
PFF gives Davis a 66.4 run-block grade and a 67.1 pass-blocking mark, which matches to his film that makes him look like a plug-and-play starter at guard.
As consistent as they come both as a run-blocker and pass-protector, Davis seems to have a high-ceiling in the NFL and could be an ideal pairing alongside Thomas for years to come.
Matt Lombardo is the site expert for GMenHQ, and writes Between The Hash Marks each Wednesday for FanSided. Follow Matt on Twitter: @MattLombardoNFL.