Overlooked veteran could fix what’s haunted the Giants for years

Giants offensive lineman Jermaine Eluemunor deserves more respect on his name.
Jan 5, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Giants guard Jermaine Eluemunor (72) in the tunnel against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
Jan 5, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Giants guard Jermaine Eluemunor (72) in the tunnel against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images | Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Despite improving their roster this offseason, one significant question mark for the New York Giants heading into 2025 is their offensive line, which has consistently ranked among the worst for several seasons now.

While the Giants might not have had a strong offensive line in years past, one sure thing is that New York has a strong lineman in veteran Jermaine Eluemunor. He joined the G-Men last offseason after three seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders, following offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo to New York.

Despite primarily playing guard with his previous teams in the NFL, Eluemunor started last season as the Giants' right tackle. Still, injuries suffered by Andrew Thomas eventually forced him to move over to the left side, where he started the last four games of the season as the team's left tackle.

With Thomas expected to be back for a full season, Eluemunor will be returning to right tackle to start the season. The 30-year-old is a versatile offensive lineman who is willing to play any role the team asks of him, which is so valuable to the Giants—who will have a new offense led by quarterbacks Russell Wilson, Jameis Winston, and Jaxson Dart this season.

The Giants need to appreciate what Eluemunor does and how much of a factor he will be on offense this year, even with these significant changes.

Jermaine Eluemunor is the most underappreciated player on the Giants

Gennaro Filice of NFL.com recently listed every team's most underappreciated player who deserves more love, and—by no shock to any of us—Eluemunor is the player for the Giants:

"A versatile offensive lineman who began his NFL career at guard, Eluemunor started last season as New York’s right tackle, but injuries eventually forced him over to the blind side," Filice wrote. "Starting the final four games of the season at LT, the London native allowed just one sack and two pressures, according to PFF."

Adjustments and changes could be challenging for the Giants; however, having a veteran like Eluemunor, who is willing to do whatever Brian Daboll asks of him, even with several new quarterbacks, could serve as a leader in Big Blue's locker room.

Not to mention, Eluemunor is already a likable player in the locker room and among fans — he consistently engages with Big Blue Nation on social media. If he wasn’t getting enough love from Giants fans before, he deserves it now for everything he brings to the team on and off the field.

It’s hard to imagine how the Giants could show more appreciation to their veteran linemen. While they haven’t named team captains for the 2025 season yet, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Eluemunor is one of the names called when they announce who will represent the team at the coin toss each week. He’s earned that kind of respect.

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