Giants Lose IOL Jon Feliciano to 49ers

That's two centers gone for the Giants, who are expected to draft one next month.

In a surprising development, interior offensive lineman Jon Feliciano, the New York Giants starting center last year, is signing a one-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers, according to Newsday.

Feliciano, whom Giants offensive line coach Bobby Johnson affectionately called "Dirt Bag," was long thought to be a lock to return to the Giants for a second season, especially after the team could not reach an agreement to bring back Nick Gates, who signed with Washington.

Feliciano's deflection now means the Giants will have their seventh different center starting on opening day since 2017. The last time the Giants had the same starting center for more than one season was in 2016-2017, when Weston Richburg anchored the middle.

The Giants have been long thought to be planning to select a center in this year's draft and may even do so within the first two rounds so that they add youth to that offensive line.

In the interim, the Giants have Ben Bredeson and Shane Lemieux on the roster, who have dabbled with playing center before. Bredeson played 30 snaps this past season at center, his first known live-action snaps at the position. Those snaps included 26 in the Giant's regular-season finale against the Eagles when the team rested many of its starters, Feliciano included.

The Giants are also likely to add a veteran if one becomes available to help with the likely transition to a younger player.

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