New York Giants general manager Dave Gettleman finally kept to his vow and added the much-needed “hog mollies” to the team’s sagging offensive line.
“We spent a lot of time on this and we want to fix this offensive line once and for all,” Gettleman said during the NFL Draft last month. “I have always gotten a chuckle out of people who say you draft a quarterback and you have to get him weapons. No, you don’t draft a quarterback and then get weapons, once you draft a quarterback, you get guys in front of him that will keep him upright.”
That is what Gettleman did this offseason by signing swing tackle Cameron Fleming and adding linemen in the first, third and fifth rounds of the draft. Pro Football Focus like what the Giants have done with the line and have rated them their fifth-most improved offensive line this offseason.
5. NEW YORK GIANTS
Key Additions: T Andrew Thomas, T Matt Peart, G Shane Lemieux
Key Losses: T Mike Remmers, C Jon Halapio
It was clear the Giants could use an upgrade at the tackle position after last season. Nate Solder and Mike Remmers combined to allow 96 pressures in 2019, more than any other tackle duo in the NFL. While Solder is locked into the left tackle spot given his contract and the inability to move on without incurring $16 million in dead money, right tackle was a spot that clearly could be upgraded. As the top tackle on PFF’s Big Board, Thomas gives them that.
He came into the SEC as a freshman in 2017 and put up a 76.7 pass-blocking grade. To perform like that as a starting tackle in a conference where he was going up against quality talent on the edge week in and week out is impressive. All Thomas did from that point was improve, earning an 80.6 overall grade in 2018 and a 92.7 grade last season for Georgia. Nearly all offensive linemen struggle in their first season in the NFL, but Thomas has as good a chance as anyone in this class to handle the transition well and provide solid play out of the gate for the Giants. That alone is enough to land them on this list.
Thomas is likely to start this season — at some point — at left tackle. After all, you don’t draft a right tackle with the fourth pick in the draft. That would move Solder over to the right side where he’ll be pressed by Peart, Nick Gates and Fleming. Finally, the Giants have some decent pieces to play with at tackle.
The long view is to have Lemieux play either center or slip in at guard when Kevin Zeitler’s contract expires at the end of the 2021 season. Peart could very well end up challenging Thomas at left tackle as he has all the attributes of one.
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