The New York Giants enter their Week 1 matchup against the Washington Commanders with a lot to prove. After spending the whole offseason upgrading the roster, only to dominate the preseason, it's time to see if this team is just another preseason hero or a potential Cinderella story.
A lot will be talked about the quarterback position, as Russell Wilson is getting his first start in Giants blue with Jaxson Dart nipping at his heels, but the biggest storyline will be star offensive tackle Andrew Thomas and his status for kickoff. In the final injury report released Friday, the 26-year-old was officially listed as doubtful, casting a 6-foot-5, 315-pound shadow for Sunday.
Fortunately, general manager Joe Schoen had planned for this exact scenario via free agency and the draft. Schoen added veteran swing tackle James Hudson III and selected Purdue's Marcus Mbow in the fifth round. Hudson is expected to get the start if Thomas is a no-go, but don't be surprised if it's the 22-year-old former Boilermaker who captures the headlines when the final whistle blows.
Marcus Mbow could take advantage of Andrew Thomas' uncertain status
Mbow's special skill is his versatility. Coming out of college, he was widely considered a guard, but despite his size (6-foot-4, 304 pounds), he's been getting mostly all of his work at tackle. When New York's depth chart was released, his name was sitting right behind Jermaine Eluemunor on the right side.
He played all three preseason contests on the end, earning All-Preseason Team nods from CBS Sports’ Emory Hunt, albeit unofficial. While that won't necessarily matter come regular-season snaps, it's a strong indication that his development is much further ahead of where anyone would have expected from the 154th pick.
Mbow isn't going to replace Thomas. That's not his job. But he can help take the sting away if he were to miss time. There's no denying that when Thomas isn't playing, Big Blue's offensive line falls apart. Look no further than last season. Once their star lineman went down, everything collapsed. In the immediate six games after his season ended, the team went 0-6, scoring a measly 15.3 points per game during that stretch.
That's exactly why Hudson is such an important piece. He brings four years of veteran experience, with 17 starts and a lot of attitude. But just because he brings expertise doesn't necessarily mean Mbow will be rendered useless. The 26-year-old journeyman struggled during the preseason, while the rookie looked great. Don't be surprised if Mbow is pushing for snaps and making a name for himself in Week 1.
There usually aren’t any silver linings for the Giants when Andrew Thomas is out. But if his missing time leads to Mbow being able to show he belongs, things could be worse. It's unlikely with Hudson and Eluemunor likely starting, but crazier things have happened. Only time will tell if he can take advantage.