New York Giants Free Agency/Draft Preview: Interior Offensive Line Depth is Scary
During the 2023 season, the New York Giants had six players take snaps at left guard, three at center, and four at right guard. All those numbers are worse than most NFL teams, whether due to injuries or trying to find the right answer at those positions.
As it turns out, none of the options were very effective on the interior offensive line this season. Sure, some players deserve to be excused individually, but that also doesn’t take any blame off the front office and coaching staff for going into the season without answers.
John Michael Schmitz was a rookie at center, so expectations were fairly low initially. Justin Pugh was hosting a podcast while training and recovering from a knee issue, got signed by the Giants, and immediately got thrown into significant playing time at tackle before bouncing in to play guard.
Giants interior offensive linemen allowed 179 pressures during the 2023 season--that's 67% of all pressures allowed by 60% of the offensive line, where it’s easier to pass-protect through the traffic.
These aren’t exactly signs of a good interior offensive line group--not that Giants fans who watched last year's debacle needed any further convincing. The question now becomes what to do about the interior of the line.
See More Position Group Free Agency/Draft Previews
Quarterback | Running Back | Tight Ends
Personnel Recap
- Under Contract: John Michael Schmitz, Jimmy Morrissey, Mark Glowinski, Marcus McKethan, Jalen Mayfield, Wyatt Davis, Joshua Ezeudu
- UFAs: Ben Bredeson, Justin Pugh, Shane Lemieux, JC Hassenauer, Sean Harlow
- RFAs: Wyatt Davis
- ERFAs: N/A
With only six interior offensive linemen under contract for the 2024 season, it’s reasonable to expect that the Giants will add another handful of names to the room. Some players should be brought in to compete for starting spots while improving depth, and at least one draft pick should be spent on a versatile option.
None of the unrestricted Giants free agents on the interior are very good, but I would expect Ben Bredeson and Justin Pugh to be strong candidates to return. Pugh performed fine, considering the expectations you can have of a street-free agent. Bredeson was mediocre at best, but being able to be a plug-and-play option at all three spots on the interior will be appreciated. Neither option should command much more than the minimum.
Wyatt Davis is the only interior restricted free agent and will probably get a call, at least for the inexpensive salary and his youth. At just 25 years old, there’s still time to turn Davis into an acceptable depth option.
The Giants insist Evan Neal is a tackle, but might it still be worth giving him snaps at guard this summer?
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Top Three Questions to Be Answered
1. What will happen with Mark Glowinski?
Mark Glowinski is someone that I would look at as a potential cut candidate this offseason. Glowinski, who had the worst game of his career in Week 1 last year, which led to his being benched, rebounded from that when called upon, but it became clear that the team was looking to move on from him, as 16 of his 18 snaps from weeks 12-17 were as an additional tight end.
Set to be the ninth highest-paid player on the Giants in 2024 with cap savings of just under $5.7M, the likely scenario is Glowinski is a cap cut. I would try to restructure him to save at least another $4M, and if that amount can’t be reached, then release him. He’s an average player making above-average money but can be replaced for significantly less than his current salary.
2. How will the team support John Michael Schmitz?
Schmitz was a rookie in 2023 who was thrust into the starting lineup and never really found his footing with any sort of consistency. A shoulder injury caused him to miss a chunk during the middle of the season, and a gauntlet of interior pass-rushers on the schedule gave him a trial by fire.
The center is the third most valuable position on the offensive line behind both tackle spots, and the Giants need to improve their play there. Whether that’s bringing in a veteran center who can help speed up Schmitz’s development or improving guard play around him (more likely), they need better play out of Schmitz.
3. Is Evan Neal a possibility at guard?
This report hasn't looked at the offensive tackles--that's another report for another day. But although general manager Joe Schoen insists that Evan Neal, the seventh overall pick in the 2022 draft, is still locked in at right tackle, count us among the many who wonder if he'd be a better fit at guard.
The Giants have said they intend on giving him more opportunities at tackle, but what teams say isn’t always what they mean. Neal can still figure things out at tackle, especially with a new offensive line coach in Carmen Bricillo.
That being said, if the Giants are high on any of the top tackles in the draft that wind up being available at pick six, or if they land a guy with guard/tackle flexibility (hello, Mike Onwenu), I wouldn’t be shocked if the Giants go that route and make Neal compete for his job.
Draft or Free Agency
With a position group like the interior offensive line, it’s important to have multiple players who can execute the offensive scheme consistently. Considering the volume of spots available on the Giants line's interior and the likely need to spend money elsewhere, the Giants should be looking at both free agency and the draft.
Connor Williams
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Top Three Free Agents to Target
Connor Williams, Miami Dolphins: Williams started his career at Dallas and was better than he’s given credit for there. A move to the Dolphins opened up his game and allowed him to thrive in space at center.
Williams has played both guard spots, and toward the end of his time in Dallas, he was finding his stride there. The Giants used zone run concepts a lot in 2023, and I’m anticipating a slight shift toward more gap-based concepts with Bricillo coming over from the Raiders. With his athleticism and scheme versatility, Williams would be a welcome addition.
Williams did tear his ACL during the 2023 season, but this is one of those instances that could benefit the Giants in negotiations, where instead of the $7-8M average per year he could’ve commanded previously, we’re likely looking at $5.5-6.25M now.
Dalton Risner, Minnesota Vikings: If the Giants aren’t shifting toward more gap scheme and aren’t looking to spend much money on guard play, Dalton Risner has to be a name they look at.
Risner thrives in pass protection, something the Giants have obviously lacked in recent years. Risner is entering his age 29 season and shouldn’t cost more than roughly $3.25M, so bringing him in with a Glowinski restructure (or cut) could add to the room while still cutting costs.
Coleman Shelton, Los Angeles Rams: Shelton is far from a household name, but he’s been with the Rams for four seasons, playing all three spots on the interior and improving every season.
The Rams went from being one of the most zone-heavy teams in the league in 2022 to being the most gap-heavy run game in 2023, and Shelton was a significant player during both seasons.
Adding Shelton would cost somewhere between Risner and Williams but would provide a valuable veteran presence for Schmitz, a likely starter at guard, and a plug-and-play option if needed at center.
Cooper Beebe (50) of Kansas State
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Top Three Draft Picks to Target
I will preface this by saying that although we’re talking about the "top draft picks to target," these are all Day 3 prospects. I don't see the Giants investing premium draft picks on guards unless they’re elite or if you have the luxury of investing in a non-premium position.
Cooper Beebe, Kansas State: Beebe is one of my favorite interior linemen in the class. Not that he’s some elite prospect you can’t miss, but he’s got everything you’re looking for in a player who can have a long career.
He’s physical and has a nastiness to his game, proving he loves to finish blocks. His athleticism gives him limited upside, and he’ll probably never be much better than an average starter or good backup, but for an early-Day 3 pick, that’s a great value.
Beebe has played every spot but center and, at the NFL level, will likely be contained to both guard spots.
Zak Zinter, Michigan: This is the guy you target if you’re leaning into a gap-run game. Zinter is top-heavy and has a ton of power in his hands, but he’s not the most athletic guard, and he’s not a good fit for an offense that wants to use the zone run as a core part of your scheme.
In power runs, though, he’s an absolute killer who loves introducing defenders to the ground. In pass-pro, there have been very few interior defenders that have found success getting past Zinter. Smaller, agile rushers could find success, but even then, it’s uncommon.
Kingsley Eguakun, Florida: I have been very harsh on Kingsley Eguakun throughout his career with the Florida Gators. Check any offensive line episode of Locked On Gators, and you’ll hear me say, “he’s perfectly average as a blocker.” The NFL is higher on him than I am.
You're fine with average when we’re talking about a late-day three pick with familiarity in the gap and zone-based schemes that can play all three spots on the interior. Eguakun has only played center but worked at guard at the Senior Bowl, and from talking to scouts, they feel he fared well there.
