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3 interesting notes from NY Giants’ first unofficial depth chart

By Richard Silva

Jul 29, 2021; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants center Nick Gates (65) fist bumps offensive guard Will Hernandez (71) during training camp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 29, 2021; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants center Nick Gates (65) fist bumps offensive guard Will Hernandez (71) during training camp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /
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The first unofficial depth chart of the season for the NY Giants could give fans insight into what coaches may think about various players on the roster.

About four hours prior to the start of FanFest on Wednesday, the NY Giants released their first unofficial depth chart of the season.

Although intriguing, it’s important to take this version of the depth chart with a grain of salt. Dan Salomone, the Managing Editor for Giants.com, explained in an August 11th article that the depth chart is “subject to change” and that it more so serves as a guide for media members, rather than acting as an official depth chart for coaches to follow.

With that said, some interesting items can still be taken from it.

Here are three noteworthy nuggets from the NY Giants’ first unofficial depth chart of 2021:

Starting Offensive Line

After selecting three the year prior, the Giants elected not to draft a single offensive lineman in the 2021 NFL Draft, despite what seemed to be a glaring need for one.

Clearly, the front office, at least slightly, believes in the personnel they currently have. The aforementioned three draftees in 2020 — Andrew Thomas, Matt Peart and Shane Lemiuex — are all poised to be starters in 2021, evidenced by the depth chart.

Also listed as starters are Will Hernandez and Nick Gates, the latter is set to begin his second year starting at center.

Hernandez, who has played left guard for the majority of his three year career in New York, is moving to the opposite side of the line to slot in at right guard, allowing Lemieux to slide into the spot on the left.

Another note, Peart is listed above veteran Nate Solder in the depth chart at right tackle. Solder, who is returning to the team after opting out of the season in 2020, appears as the second tackle listed on both the left and the right side, reinforcing the idea that he will be the swing tackle in 2021.

Quite possibly the most integral part of the line is Thomas, who is slated to be the starting left tackle. The former Georgia Bulldog is entering his second year as a pro and experienced an up and rookie season, with many of those ups coming in the second half of the year.

His improvement should give fans and coaches alike some optimism. After all, he was tasked with playing in a COVID-altered season which included the omission of the preseason.

Thomas, Lemieux, Gates, Hernandez and Peart will likely all be crucial to the success of the Giants in 2021. If they step up and perform, that allows quarterback Daniel Jones to do the same, which could elevate the entire offense.

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