Predicting the starting offense for the NY Giants next season
Offensive line: LT Andrew Thomas, LG Joshua Ezeudu, C Jon Feliciano, RG Mike Glowinski, RT Evan Neal
Finally, after years of waiting, it seems as if the Giants will finally have at least a decent offensive line.
Last season marked rock bottom for the Giants’ offensive line, with only one starting-caliber offensive lineman on the entire roster in Andrew Thomas. However, after free agency and the draft, the Giants have an entirely new offensive line for next season.
The only returning starter on the offensive line next season is Thomas, who — after a rough rookie season — burst onto the scene last year and had a Pro Bowl-caliber campaign, only allowing two sacks in 800 snaps.
Next to Thomas is third-round rookie Josh Ezeudu, who has been getting the majority of the first-team snaps thus far in OTAs over Shane Lemieux. While it is unlikely that he emerges as a star in his first season in the NFL, I believe Ezeudu will be a very solid addition to an offensive line that needs him.
At center is Jon Feliciano, the former Bills guard and center who has been a regular starter in the NFL since 2016. While he has played guard for almost the entirety of his NFL career, he has long stated that he wants to play center. Combine this with previous starting center Nick Gates still rehabbing from his gruesome leg injury, and you have Feliciano taking the role Gates once had. I believe Feliciano will do very solidly in his new position and will cement himself as the new center of the NY Giants for the foreseeable future
Next to Feliciano is former Colts guard Mike Glowinski, who has been a very good offensive lineman in the NFL for the majority of his career. However, last season was by far his best, gaining an overall grade of 70.1 per PFF, which would have been the second-highest on last year’s offensive line.
What I like the most about Glowinski, however, is his ability as a run blocker. The NY Giants have not had a legitimately good run blocking guard since Kevin Zeitler, who Dave Gettleman foolishly released after the 2020 season.
Finally, and in my opinion the most exciting player on the offensive line, we have seventh overall pick Evan Neal out of Alabama. Coming into the draft, Neal was by far my favorite player in the entire class. This was due to his rare and unbelievable combination of size and talent.
Coming in at a beastly 6-7 and 351 pounds, Neal is one of the most fascinating prospects I have ever scouted. If he can come in and play as well as I think he can, he will join Andrew Thomas as a franchise cornerstone for the NY Giants and will help turn this team around.
