The New York Giants have a laundry list of offseason priorities, but fixing the offensive line has to be near the top. After another year of shaky protection and an overmatched interior, general manager Joe Schoen needs to invest serious resources in the trenches.
According to Zoltan Buday at Pro Football Focus, Indianapolis Colts guard Will Fries has been named a perfect fit for Big Blue in free agency:
"The Giants' offensive line started the 2024 season strong following the additions of veterans Jermaine Eluemunor and Greg Van Roten. However, injuries—most notably to franchise left tackle Andrew Thomas—derailed their progress. By season’s end, New York’s offensive line had surrendered 215 total pressures, including 30 sacks, on 670 pass plays, finishing with an 81.7 PFF pass-blocking efficiency rating, which ranked 30th in the NFL."
Fries, a former seventh-round pick, has quietly developed into one of the more reliable guards in the NFL. Before a fractured tibia ended his 2024 season prematurely, he was playing the best football of his career. Considering the Giants’ never-ending struggles at guard, adding Fries makes too much sense.
With the Giants expected to have a good amount of cap space, Schoen will have the flexibility to make a move. It’s always risky to gamble on a player coming off a serious injury, but when the offensive line struggles as much as the Giants' has, sometimes the ends justify the means.
The Giants should make signing Will Fries in free agency a priority
The Giants’ offensive line has been a mess for years. Injuries played a big role in 2024’s struggles, but even when healthy, the unit was inconsistent at best. They allowed 215 total pressures and 30 sacks on 670 pass plays, ranking 30th in the NFL in pass-blocking efficiency.
That’s not going to cut it, no matter who’s under center.
Fries would give them a much-needed stabilizing presence. He’s improved every year since entering the league, showing strong technique and power as both a pass protector and run blocker.
Even better? He’s just 26 years old, meaning he’s entering the prime of his career. PFF predicts he'll earn a pretty penny this offseason (subscription required). A four-year, $57 million deal might seem steep for a player who's coming off an injury and has never made it to the Pro Bowl, but in today’s NFL, quality offensive linemen get paid.
The reality is simple—the Giants are a different team when their offensive line holds up. The numbers don’t lie. Over the last two seasons, the Giants are 6-10 when Andrew Thomas plays and 3-15 when he’s out. That’s not just a coincidence. They need a healthy Thomas, but they also need competent guards who can hold up if he isn't playing. The whole thing can't just fall apart because of one guy.
Schoen has plenty of work to do, but landing Fries would be a step in the right direction. If the Giants want to compete in 2025, they need to stop treating the offensive line like an afterthought.