The New York Giants have had a busy offseason since free agency began. The G-Men have already addressed several needs, including wide receiver, tight end, right tackle, linebacker, and cornerback, but one they have not yet addressed is the right guard position.
Last season, it looked like everything was finally coming together for Big Blue's offensive line, which has been a weakness for several years, finishing with the fourth-best pass-blocking efficiency rating (87.6) and allowing just 140 quarterback pressures.
Offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo is now with the Titans, so the unit will look different in 2026, but maintaining continuity is important. The Giants brought back right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor and are also re-signing Evan Neal, though there are questions about his fit. There is, however, one player they could bring back to play right guard who would be a strong addition for the team.
Giants should bring back veteran lineman Greg Van Roten at right guard
Thomas Valentine of Pro Football Focus recently wrote about 10 veterans still flying under the radar in free agency. And the former Giant cracked the list, and he could make all the sense for the G-Men to bring back at the vacant interior line spot.
Valentine writes that Van Roten brings a wealth of experience and positional flexibility, having played right guard, left guard, and center throughout his career. He added that GVR’s 4.1% pressure rate allowed in 2025 was the 18th-lowest among guards in the league.
The 36-year-old is a New York native, originally from Long Island, and has played the last two seasons with the Giants. He is still capable of being an NFL starting offensive lineman. The Giants could get him to be their starting right guard again, but at an affordable cost.
The Giants have other options at right guard if they don’t re-sign GVR. They could attempt to convert second-year lineman Marcus Mbow from tackle to guard, who had a promising rookie campaign filling in for an injured Andrew Thomas, and has a bright future.
The G-Men could also draft an offensive lineman at pick No. 5, like Miami’s Francis Mauigoa or Utah’s Spencer Fano. The issue is that both Mauigoa and Fano are also listed as tackles, so they would likely have to convert them to guard as well.
Giants fans should feel confident in repeating the offensive line configuration. The combination of Thomas, Jon Runyan, John Michael Schmitz, Van Roten, and Eluemunor offers solid protection for second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart.
Chemistry is invaluable in the NFL. The current line already possesses experience playing together and performed well in protecting Dart last season, making a strong case for continuity.