With the season coming to a conclusion last Sunday, it is time for the NY Giants to look towards the future. The current Giants offensive line is empty for the most part due to multiple expiring contracts such as Will Hernandez, Billy Price, and Nate Solder.
This makes it likely that the NY Giants will look towards the draft to replace their veteran offensive linemen, and with a draft class that is extremely deep with offensive linemen, there is a good chance they select a multitude of offensive linemen with the nine picks they have.
I personally believe the NY Giants will select 2-3 offensive linemen within the first 4 rounds, as it is the best chance they have at fixing their offensive line without making their cap situation any worse.
Here is the ideal offensive line for the NY Giants heading into next season:
NY Giants Left Tackle: Andrew Thomas
This was without a doubt the most obvious player to have at a position. Andrew Thomas solidified himself as arguably a top 10 left tackle in the NFL after having a rough rookie season.
In 13 games played this season, Andrew Thomas only allowed 2 sacks while gaining a PFF grade of 78.9, the highest out of all the NY Giants offensive linemen by far. While he struggled at times in the run game, Andrew Thomas was so dominant in pass protection snaps to the point where it can be overlooked. So far, Andrew Thomas is looking like one of the very few good picks made by former GM Dave Gettleman.
Andrew Thomas has been the best offensive lineman the NY Giants have seen in quite some time, looking like a true cornerstone tackle, if he can keep this level of play up, the NY Giants will have one of the best offensive tackles in the NFL for a long time.
NY Giants Left Guard: Laken Tomlinson
If the NY Giants end up making cuts to clear up cap space, there is a good chance they allocate some of that money to patching up their offensive line. If they decide to do this, I believe Laken Tomlinson should be one of their top targets.
Making a Pro-Bowl this year, the former first-round pick had himself a very solid season, only allowing 2 sacks while gaining a grade of 75.9 per, PFF. While as of right now, the NY Giants do not have a lot of cap space, if they decide to make cuts to create more cap space, Tomlinson should be a top target for the NY Giants.
According to OverTheCap.com, Laken Tomlinson is projected to make around $11M on his next contract, while this may seem like a lot, if Tomlinson continues his great play, it will be well worth it.
At 30 years old, Laken Tomlinson would be the oldest lineman on the team by a good bit if the NY Giants sign him, however, when you consider the experience and skill he possesses, his age can be ignored.
Not only can Laken Tomlinson provide much-needed elite play to the guard position, but he can also hopefully play the role of mentor to the younger offensive lineman, as he could be crucial to their development.
NY Giants Center: Tyler Linderbaum
Whether the NY Giants select him at 7, or trade back and gain assets to select him further on in the draft, I truly believe it should be in the NY Giants’ best interests to draft Tyler Linderbaum out of Iowa.
I have written several articles for GMENHQ hyping up Linderbaum and that is for good reasons, with traits similar to future HOF center Jason Kelce, he is as close to a sure-shot superstar as you are ever going to find in a draft.
Gaining a pass-blocking grade of 79.8, alongside a run-blocking grade of 96.6 per, PFF, Tyler Linderbaum made a name for himself this season, becoming the highest-graded center in PFF history since they started their college evaluations in 2014.
Possessing elite speed, athleticism, strength, and technique, there truly isn’t anything Linderbaum can’t do. By the way, when I said elite speed, I meant that Tyler Linderbaum has had several moments in which he has kept up with his running back at full stride, just like right here:
https://twitter.com/PFF/status/1477380640798613507
Tyler Linderbaum was borderline faster than the receiver who caught the ball. With the NY Giants in desperate need of an elite open field blocker, plus the question mark of Nick Gates’ health, Tyler Linderbaum may be the answer to a lot of the NY Giants’ needs on offense.
NY Giants Right Guard: Zion Johnson
In my original mock draft, I had the NY Giants selecting guard Zion Johnson out of Boston College in the second round, and for the sake of this article, I am sticking with that pick. Coming in at 6-foot-3, 316 pounds, Zion Johnson broke out this season at Boston College, gaining a pass-blocking grade of 81.6, alongside a run-blocking grade of 84.4, per PFF.
Zion Johnson has quite literally all the tools it takes to succeed at a high level in the NFL, being not only an elite open field blocker but a great pass blocker. As I said in that mock draft, Zion Johnson’s hands are like mechanical clamps, once they latch on, you’re done for.
While he does not play the same position as Will Hernandez, Zion Johnson already has something that Hernandez never developed. The ability to diagnose defensive stunts and change his block accordingly.
If all of Zion Johnson’s abilities translate at the next level, he will likely be one of the bigger steals in the entire draft, as I truly believe he has star potential.
NY Giants Right Tackle: Ikem Ekwonu
I believe that the NY Giants should select whatever top tackle is available with the 5th overall pick, and in this hypothetical scenario, that top tackle is Ikem Ekwonu. Ikem Ekwonu has been one of my favorite offensive line prospects to watch all year, this is due to his elite potential in both run and pass blocking snaps.
Coming in at 6’4, 320 pounds, Ekwonu just wrapped up a fantastic season with the North Carolina State Wolfpack, gaining a run-blocking grade of 93.8, alongside a pass-blocking grade of 78.3, per PFF.
Possessing elite speed, athleticism, strength, and technique, Ikem Ekwonu is truly an elite prospect. Ekwonu’s ability to get out into the open field and destroy opposing defenders is truly something spectacular to watch. While it is debatable that Ikem Ekwonu’s natural position is guard due to his size and skill set, I believe he truly has all the tools it takes to succeed at tackle.
Obviously, Ikem Ekwonu is a better run blocker than a pass blocker, however, his pass blocking is not a weakness by any means. In 500 pass-blocking snaps, Ekwonu only allowed 3 sacks, 0 QB hits, and 10 QB hurries, using his elite footwork and hand technique to dominate on that end.
Ikem Ekwonu is truly an elite two-way prospect, if all of his tools can translate to the next level, the NY Giants may have one of the best tackle duos in the NFL for a long time with him and Andrew Thomas.