The NY Giants have revamped the offensive line with some of the money that general manager Joe Schoen saved by letting running back Saquon Barkley walk in free agency. Rather than depending on a halfback to bear the brunt, the front office has shifted its attention to improving a unit that Pro Football Focus ranked the third-worst in the NFL last year.
While the signings of Jon Runyan Jr. and Jermaine Eluemenor should go a long way for Big Blue, there is still work to be done in the MetLife Stadium trenches. Finding a left guard to pair with Runyan should be paramount for Schoen, and he has already shown interest in one of the draft's top interior playmakers. We're talking about Cooper Beebe.
Pre-Draft visits:
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 12, 2024
-- #Pitt OL Matt Goncalves, a likely Day 2 pick and recovered from toe surgery, recently visited the #Seahawks and #Cowboys.
-- Kansas St G Cooper Beebe is visiting the #Giants this week.
-- Western Kentucky WR Malachi Corley is visiting the #Saints tomorrow.
NY Giants could invest in this underrated OG prospect in NFL Draft
Beebe, a 6-3, 322-pound OG out of Kansas State, was one of the best OL in college football for several years. He was a 2023 Consensus All-American, three-time All-Big 12 First Team selection, and won Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year in consecutive seasons.
The Kansas City native played a massive role in the Wildcats' downhill run scheme that has produced stars such as Deuce Vaughn and DJ Giddens. His accolades speak for themselves, and so do advanced statistics. Pro Football Focus graded him as the best interior lineman in the country on play-action passes, true pass sets, and three-step drops last year.
Beebe initially began his collegiate career on the outside, but moved to left guard full time in 2022 and 2023. Due to his short arms and unremarkable athleticism, he projects as an OG in the NFL. However, those qualities do not typically matter for interior linemen, especially one with Beebe's power and technique.
Pass protection is Beebe's strong suit, which is something the Giants desperately need if quarterback Daniel Jones is going to stay healthy in 2024. Pairing Beebe alongside a healthy standout left tackle Andrew Thomas would make it a daunting task for opposing pass-rushers to get into the backfield.
There is mutual interest between NY and Beebe, who reportedly met recently. If the meeting went well, he could sit atop the Giants' Day 2 draft board. Given his versatility and upside, Big Blue would be getting an absolute steal if he falls to the No. 47 overall pick.