It has been an offseason filled with many twists and turns for the New York Giants, who are looking to make it back to the playoffs after a disappointing 2023 season. There have been some stellar moves made by Big Blue, from trading for Brian Burns and of course, using their first-round draft pick to draft wide receiver Malik Nabers.
This offseason, however, saw the Giants say goodbye to their star running back Saquon Barkley, who headed down the turnpike to sign with the Philadelphia Eagles and saw safety Xavier McKinney sign with the Green Bay Packers.
So, this team will look a bit different this season with 2024 looking like a make-or-break campaign for Brian Daboll and Co. But, have there been any under-the-radar moves that the Giants made that could have a much bigger impact in 2024 than expected? We take a look at five said moves in this piece:
5. Signing OG Jon Runyan Jr.
The Giants offensive line has been a mess for years. Whenever they try to improve it either in the draft or in free agency, with the exception of Andrew Thomas, things have not improved. But after signing guard Jon Runyan Jr. to a three-year deal, this move may be one that helps turn things around.
The Giants led the NFL by a wide margin with 85 sacks allowed in 2023, so any help for the offensive line is much needed and Runyan could provide just that. The former Packer has started at least 16 games over the last three seasons and has put up some great numbers at the guard position. The 26-year-old's pass-block win rate this past year was 94.2 percent, which was ninth among all guards in the league and in the year before, his pass-block win rate was 94 percent, ranked 12th among guards.
Runyan is also still relatively young, which is a boost for the Giants and he has been healthy throughout his career. Runyan could prove to be one of the best lineman for NY this season and him lining up at right guard should help Evan Neal too.