New York Giants Free Agency/Draft Preview: Offensive Tackle is Very Much a Need

Regardless of what the Giants say, offensive tackle depth is a big need.

Despite what New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen says about Evan Neal playing right tackle, this team needs tackles, not just as a potential replacement for Neal if he doesn't work out.

Other than for left tackle Andrew Thomas, who worked his way into becoming one of the top tackles at his spot, the team's depth at this position is shaly at best. Tyree Phillips, who filled in for Neal when he went on injured reserve, is coming back from his season-ending injury, plus he's set to be an unrestricted free agent.

Matt Peart, who was drafted in the same class as Thomas with the hope that he'd be the bookend on the right side, hasn't worked out, largely due to his injuries and his inability to beat out veteran Nate Solder (remember him) when Solder was literally at the end of the line.

So yes, the Giants need offensive tackle help badly. The expectation is they will turn to free agency to fill that need. Still, it also needs to be said that this is a historically deep class of offensive linemen, where if the Giants wanted to add a developmental prospect and instead look at a veteran as a short-term solution, that might make more sense.

Let's take a closer look at where things stand and what the options are.

---

More Position Group Free Agency/Draft Previews

Quarterback | Running Back | Tight End | Interior Offensive Line | Wide Receivers

---

Personnel Recap

• Under Contract: Andrew Thomas, Evan Neal, Joshua Miles, Yodny Cajuste
• UFA: Tyree Phillips, Matt Peart
• RFA: N/A
• ERFA: N/A

General manager Joe Schoen has consistently insisted that the team hasn't given up on Neal, the seventh overall pick in the 2022 draft. But Schoen also has said that Neal needs to play better.

Reading between the lines, it's fair to wonder if there is a concern over Neal's work ethic behind closed doors. Is it possible that Neal, who told reporters late last year that he was "born to play tackle," is still trying to figure out the little nuances that separate the best at the opposition from the rest?

The Giants have had nothing but good things to say about Neal and his approach to his job, but something isn't clicking here after two years. Maybe it's just a major swing-and-miss by the Giants in their assessment of where Neal's best fit in the NFL would be.

Maybe it's the coaching he received from former offensive line coach Bobby Johnson, who had Neal leaning slightly forward in his pass-blocking stance (not a good idea for a player who has shown himself to have balance issues on tape).

Whatever it is, new offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo needs to figure it out quickly so that the Giants can protect themselves if Neal flops again.

Top 3 Questions to Be Answered

Will Evan Neal keep his starting job?

Since being drafted seventh overall in 2022, Neal hasn’t lived up to expectations. Making the switch from left to right tackle isn’t easy, and he hasn’t adjusted yet. He appeared in 13 games as a rookie, surrendering seven sacks and committing seven penalties. 2023 was more injury-riddled, but his play wasn’t great either.

He committed five penalties and allowed two sacks in only seven games. The Giants aren’t going to let Neal continue to keep his job for long if he doesn’t improve soon, especially with a strong tackle class this draft and with free agents like Mike Onwenue and Jermaine Eluemunor out there as options.

Should the Giants consider drafting another offensive tackle in the first round?

Speaking of the draft class, Joe Alt and Olu Fashanu highlight the top tackles coming out of college this year. The Giants have been linked to both, but should they invest in another premium pick at the tackle position?

If they think one of the top tackles on the board is the best player available and think they’d be a Day 1 starter, they should go for it. However, it’s more likely they draft a tackle in the later rounds for depth, not with a more glaring need at quarterback staring them in the face.

Who will they bring in to compete with Neal?

The draft is loaded with talent, but a few veteran options on the market could come in to at least compete with the struggling tackle. Eluemunor, who spent last season with the Raiders, would be an ideal fit, considering he’s worked with offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo and has guard/tackle flexibility.

Jonah Williams is another option, but would he be open to playing right tackle, considering he requested a trade last season after the Bengals brought in Orlando Brown Jr to play left tackle?

And what about the cost? Per Pro Football Focus, which ranks Williams as its 54th overall pending free agent, projects a four-year contract worth $64 million over four years with $40 million guaranteed and $16 million APY. That price is unlikely to be in the Giants' budget, considering the Giants are a team with many needs on both sides of the ball.

Draft or Free Agency?

Given the importance of the line needing to hit the ground running, the Giants need to prioritize free agency for this position. While top tackles will be available for them at the sixth pick, it’s hard to see them justifying another high selection at the position, especially with quarterback being more of a glaring need.

The problem in this scenario is that Alt and Fashanu both played left in college. They’d be asking another rookie to come in and make the switch just like they did with Neal. The only other top tackle prospect who played right tackle would be Taliese Fuaga from Oregon State, a massive athlete who would dominate.

In this case, they should look to bring in competition with actual NFL experience. They’re still going to give Neal a shot at right tackle, but his leash certainly isn’t long. Another option the Giants could consider is re-signing Tyre Phillips, assuming he’s healthy for the start of the season. Phillips filled in relatively well in Neal’s absence in the later part of last year and, considering he knows the system, would fit seamlessly as a depth/potential starter.

Top Draft Picks to Target

Joe Alt (Notre Dame) and Olu Fashanu (Penn State) played their college snaps at left tackle, making it kind of pointless to spend a premium draft pick on a player they would only intend to move to a different position. But there is one tackle who did play the bulk of his snaps at right tackle: Oregon State's Taliese Fuaga.

Fuaga is a monster in his position. His large frame and good length aid him in pass protection, and he plays with a certain aggressiveness in the run game. Fuaga’s size and power would be a welcome addition to the Giants.

Top Three Free Agents to Target

Jermaine Eluemunor, Raiders: Eluemunor spent last season being coached by Carmen Bricillo, so it makes sense for the two to reunite on the Giants. He had experience playing both tackle spots last season, but mostly at right tackle. While he wasn’t great, Eluemunor would provide depth and could step in when needed during the season.

George Fant, Texans: Fant spent most of his time last season at right tackle blocking for offensive rookie of the year in CJ Stroud. He’s been around a few teams since being drafted by the Seahawks in 2016 and then spending three seasons with the Jets from 2020-2022. Fant would come in as depth, but it wouldn’t be surprising if he were to take over the job at right tackle if Neal doesn’t improve quickly.

David Quessenberry, Vikings: Quessenberry’s another veteran who’s been around the league on a few teams, most recently with the Vikings. He’ll be 34 this season, so a little on the older side, but Quessenberry’s been more of a reserve player over the last few years. He only allowed one sack in limited snaps at right tackle last year, so he should come over on a veteran minimum type of deal.

---

• Follow and like us on Facebook
• Submit your questions for our mailbag.
• Follow Patricia Traina on Instagram.
• Check out the Giants Country YouTube Channel.
• Subscribe and like the LockedOn Giants YouTube Channel