New York Giants’ Offensive Line Has Big Potential For 2015
By Michael Woolfson
@Bigwoolf5
Tim Heltman-USA Today Sports
Over the past couple of seasons, the biggest problem the New York Giants have had is with their offensive line. Whether it be due to injury or lack of talent, the line has failed to open up holes for the running game and protect Eli Manning consistently enough. Going into the 2015 season, the Giants’ line has the potential to be a solid unit barring injury, assuming they add one more key piece.
Last season the Giants used one-year stopgap players at two positions along the offensive line in J.D. Walton and John Jerry. Walton played center in every game and will likely not be back with the Giants, while Jerry was originally brought in for depth purposes but ended up starting every game due to Geoff Schwartz‘s injuries.
This season the Giants should have more continuity and more talent on the line. Four of the five starters are already figured out, but where they will play is a bit of a mystery and may depend on who they draft or sign in free agency. The only position that is pretty much guaranteed is Will Beatty at left tackle. Beatty is not a dominant left tackle by any means, and while he does commit some penalties, he usually always grades out as a solid left tackle to provide a good foundation for the Giants.
The other three players who will start are all very versatile and can play multiple positions. Schwartz was signed to play guard for the Giants last offseason, but he ended up playing in only two games. The Giants’ hope he is fully healthy next season so that he could either line up at left guard or right tackle every game.
Weston Richburg didn’t play a single game at center last year, but the Giants selected him in the second round of the 2014 draft to do just that. The plan is for the Giants to get rid of Walton and move Richburg over to center, his natural position, instead of putting him at guard where he struggled last season.
Justin Pugh was the Giants’ first-round pick in 2013. Since he was drafted he has only played right tackle, but many think that he would be better served as a guard. Moving Pugh inside to guard might be the move for this season so that they can look for a right tackle on either the free agent market or in the draft. With guys like Doug Free and Bryan Bulaga on the free agent market this offseason, the Giants should have no problem filling in that right tackle position.
If the Giants are able to sign one of those free agent right tackles, the talent on their offensive line for next year would be exponentially higher than it has been the past couple of years. They will still have to worry about depth since injuries are always a concern, but going into next season with a solid starting five along the line gives the Giants’ offensive line a very high upside.
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