The 10 best offensive linemen in the history of the NY Giants

The offensive line has been the root of much of the NY Giants’ struggles over recent seasons, but it wasn’t always like that. The greatest teams in franchise history featured larger than life legends blocking for their teammates.

With the Giants going with a youth movement along the line in recent seasons, including additions like Andrew Thomas and John Michael Schmitz, the current Giants crop of linemen learn a lot from those who came before them.

They’re the unsung heroes in Giants’ history – but without them, the NFL Championships and Super Bowl rings wouldn’t have been possible. There’s a reason many of them have been lauded over the last couple of seasons, and a yearning for the unit to return to form has been palpable. 

Utilizing a unique criteria, it's not hard to separate the names that shined throughout their time in New York, and the ones who couldn't handle the pressure. It's the former that we remember along the offensive line, and who have become immortal in Giants history.

Criteria for selection

The criteria for being named among the top offensive linemen in the history of the Giants is an easy one to follow. Weighing a player's time period in which they played the game versus their team's offensive output is something that must be considered, along with how long a player wore the blue and red for over the course of his career. 

Additionally, a player's individual and team accomplishments go into the selection, as well. From Super Bowl victories to Pro Bowl selections, each honor has an impact on where they were ranked. Of course, all of these had to happen with the franchise, which eliminated certain players.

So, let's get down to business. Check out the list below, where you can see each of the top offensive linemen in Giants history, ranked No. 10 through No. 1. Some of the franchise's behemoths adorn the list.

The top 10 offensive lineman in NY Giants history

10. Len Grant

Years: 1930-1937
Accolades with the NY Giants: NFL Championship (1934)

Len Grant spent his entire career with the NY Giants – the high point coming when the team won the NFL Championship in 1934. Grant helped clear the way for the Giants’ offense in the famed “Sneakers Game.” While the team featured other Giants’ legends like Mel Hein, Grant was an integral part of the team.

9. David Diehl

Years: 2003-2013
Accolades with the NY Giants: Two-time Super Bowl Champion (XLII, XLVI); Pro Bowl (2009)

In 2003, a fifth-round offensive lineman became the first NY Giants’ rookie to start all 16 games since the legendary Mark Bavaro. That rookie was David Diehl.

It was an omen for Diehl’s career, as he would become one of the greatest at the position in team history. His blocking and ability to play multiple positions helped the Giants make their offensive line the best it could be, helping the franchise hoist two Lombardi’s in his tenure. Diehl was one of the first dominos to fall in building a team that won two Super Bowls – and he remains one of the best late round selections in team history.

8. Ray Wietecha

Years: 1953-1962
Accolades with the NY Giants: Four-time Pro Bowl Selection

One of the Giants’ original iron men. In his 10 years with the franchise, Ray Wietecha never missed a game. He helped the Giants become one of the best teams in the league, while anchoring their offensive line from the center position. His coaching career was even better – he won Super Bowl I and II as the Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator, before returning to the Giants as their offensive line coach from 1972-1976.

7. Jumbo Elliott

Years: 1988-1995
Accolades with the NY Giants: Super Bowl Champion (XXV); Pro Bowl (1993)

There was never a better name for an offensive lineman. Jumbo Elliott was the Giants starting left tackle for 98 games over eight seasons, including one Super Bowl title. It’s unusual for an offensive lineman to become a fan favorite, but Elliott was one of the most popular players on the team’s roster.

The team’s run game excelled with Elliott on the field, and it’s one of the biggest reasons they were able to defeat the Buffalo Bills in Super Bowl XXV.

6. Shaun O’Hara

Years: 2004-2010
Accolades with the NY Giants: Super Bowl Champion (XLII); Three-time Pro Bowl (2008-2010)

An undrafted free agent and signed to little fanfare, Shaun O’Hara wasn’t supposed to become one of the best hosses in NY Giants’ history. While in New York, O’Hara developed into a Pro Bowl caliber player – even being voted a second team All-Pro in 2008.

If you ask O’Hara, though, the only accolade that matters to him are his two Super Bowl rings. Not a bad career for an undrafted free agent.

5. Bart Oates

Years: 1985-1993
Accolades with the NY Giants: Three-time Super Bowl Champion (XXI, XXV, XXIX); Five-time Pro Bowl (1990, 1991, 1993-1995)

A stabilizing presence throughout his Giants’ career, Bart Oates started 125 straight games for the franchise. After starting his career in the USFL, the Giants got a steal by signing Oates. His play at center helped the team’s offense in their quest for not one, but two Super Bowls.

After three Pro Bowl selections and two Super Bowl victories, Oates would continue his strong play in San Francisco – helping them defeat the San Diego Chargers in Super Bowl XXIX.

4. Chris Snee

Years: 2004-2013
Accolades with the NY Giants: Two-time Super Bowl Champion (XLII, XLVI); Four-time Pro Bowl (2008-2010; 2012); First-team All-Pro (2008)

Chris Snee may have been Tom Coughlin’s son-in-law, but he earned every accolade he accumulated throughout his NFL career. Snee helped make the NY Giants’ offensive line one of the best in the league, opening up holes for players like Tiki Barber, Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw. 

In his 10-year career with the Giants, he was always reliable and he steadily improved. The Giants’ offensive line is sometimes the forgotten hero of their two Super Bowl victories under Coughlin, but fans should never forget Snee’s contributions.

3. Steve Owen

Years: 1926-1931, 1933
Accolades with the NY Giants: NFL Champion (1927); First-team All-Pro (1927)

After joining the US Army in World War I, Steve Owen began to play football in 1924. Finally, he was where he was meant to be in 1926 when he joined the NY Giants. Owen’s natural leadership ability was on display from the start, as he became the team’s captain in 1927. That year, he led the Giants to a dominating season, one that ended in the first NFL Championship for the franchise.

Owen made his name as a player, but he’s even more well known for being one of the greatest head coaches in team history. Still, he’s a must on the list of greatest OL for the team.

2. Mel Hein

Years: 1931-1945
Accolades with the NY Giants: Two-time NFL Champion (1934, 1938); Eight-time First-team All-Pro (1933-1940); NFL MVP (1938); Pro Football HOF

Imagine a center winning the NFL MVP. Well, imagine no more, because Hein did it in 1938. Hein was deserving of the honor, as he was the heart and soul of the NY Giants for over a decade. In addition to his All-Pro play, he was the team’s captain for 10 years.

Hein lost five NFL Championship games, but he reached the pinnacle of the football world twice. He spent his entire career with the Giants, and remains one of the greatest players in franchise history.

1. Rosey Brown

Years: 1953-1965
Accolades with the NY Giants: NFL Champion (1956); Nine-time Pro Bowl (1955-1960, 1962, 1964, 1965); Six-time First-Team All-Pro (1956-1959, 1961, 1962); Pro Football HOF

The definition of an anchor. Rosey Brown was supposed to be one of the greatest lineman of all-time – he was selected in the 27th round of the 1953 NFL Draft. Brown quickly established himself as a force on and off the field, showing off impressive size and speed on it, and fantastic style off of it.

While it takes every player to enjoy the amount of success the NY Giants did in Brown’s career, the hulking offensive lineman deserves perhaps more credit than anyone. He missed only four games in the entire career – not just showing out on the field, but showing out.

Frank Gifford famously stated that he ‘wouldn’t be in the Hall of Fame’ if not for Brown, lauding the offensive lineman’s abilities. Brown was the standard for an offensive lineman not just during his career, but for years afterwards. For a legendary franchise with a bevy of fantastic linemen, Rosey Brown was simply a different animal.