NFL Combine 2022: How Joe Schoen can fix New York Giants’ offensive line

The New York Giants’ top concern is focused on their offensive line. Joe Schoen offered more insight at the NFL Combine on the topic.

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The New York Giants need a massive overhaul with their current offensive line. That much is certain.

Joe Schoen will be tasked with fixing a mess that has existed since 2012.

The Giants have been unable to find any key players in the draft or in free agency that has supplied the team with any long-term starters on the offensive line. This is a problem that must be addressed immediately and the team is going to explore every avenue available to put together a solid group of five guys.

“There’s several holes that we need to fill through any avenue we can” whether it’s free agency, draft, undrafted rookies, or trades,” Schoen said Tuesday at the NFL Combine.

Could Joe Schoen follow Bills’ offensive line blueprint with New York Giants?

The Bills did not use any first-round picks on offensive lineman during Schoen’s tenure in Buffalo.

Schoen, alongside Bills general manager Brandon Beane, built their offensive line using second-round picks, undrafted free agents, free agency, and a 3rd rounder. In summary, the Bills starting line in 2021 consisted of two 2nd round picks, one 2021 3rd round rookie, and two undrafted free agents.

Schoen deliberately spoke about how these players came together to form a cohesive and successful unit in Buffalo in 2021. Schoen understands the importance of using or not using a 1st round pick on an offensive lineman,

"Schoen said, “I don’t think you can look at offensive line and say you have to draft one in the 1st round. I think you find offensive lineman throughout the draft”"

Not forcing a 1st round offensive line prospect is something all New York Giants fans must think about and realize before saying the Giants must take a lineman with either of their two 1st round picks.

If Evan Neal or Ikem Ekwonu is off the board at #5 or #7 overall, there’s a very strong chance the Giants don’t in fact take an offensive lineman. In fact, the Bills actually used their 1st round pick three times on defensive linemen rather than offensive linemen in Schoen’s 4-year tenure in Buffalo.

Don’t be surprised if the New York Giants in fact don’t elect to use a 1st round pick on their offensive line.

New York has two top-10 selections and the value may not be there to take an interior offensive lineman like Kenyon Green or Tyler Linderbaum. If the team trades back one of their two 1st rounders, they could be more likely to select an interior offensive line. If not, the Giants could stun many draft pundits and focus on other position groups in Round 1 of the 2022 NFL Draft.