John Mara did not mince words last week at the NFL Annual Meeting. The team president was asked about the offensive line being a topic of conversation around the Giants for the past decade.
"You're right it's ridiculous," Mara responded, "and it's a continuing source of frustration for me. It's time to get it fixed. We've invested in a couple of No. 1 draft picks on offensive tackles. We have a No. 2 draft pick playing at center, and now we have spent some money in free agency. We have a new offensive line coach. I expect us to be a hell of a lot better this year."
The first-round picks to which he referred are Andrew Thomas and Evan Neal. The second-round center is John Michael Schmitz Jr. The free agent additions include Jon Runyan and Jermaine Eluemunor. The new position coach is Carmen Bricillo, formerly with the Raiders, along with new assistant offensive line coach James Ferentz, who retired last month as a player after an eight-year career with the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots.
"That was certainly a priority going into this offseason was to get the offensive line fixed," Mara said. "I mean, you can't win in this league unless you have a good productive, consistent offensive line. It's what we had years ago when we were winning, and we have to get back to that. I think we have the right pieces in there now. We have a new offensive line coach. We'll see. Life in football starts on the offensive line. If you can't block them, you're not going to win."
2023 GAME-BY-GAME STARTERS
| Opp | LT | LG | C | RG | RT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DAL | Andrew Thomas | Ben Bredeson | John Michael Schmitz Jr. | Mark Glowinski | Evan Neal |
| @ARI | Joshua Ezeudu | Ben Bredeson | John Michael Schmitz Jr. | Marcus McKethan | Evan Neal |
| @SF | Joshua Ezeudu | Shane Lemieux | John Michael Schmitz Jr. | Marcus McKethan | Evan Neal |
| SEA | Joshua Ezeudu | Ben Bredeson | John Michael Schmitz Jr. | Marcus McKethan | Evan Neal |
| @MIA | Joshua Ezeudu | Mark Glowinski | Ben Bredeson | Marcus McKethan | Evan Neal |
| @BUF | Joshua Ezeudu | Justin Pugh | Ben Bredeson | Mark Glowinski | Evan Neal |
| WAS | Justin Pugh | Marcus McKethan | Ben Bredeson | Mark Glowinski | Tyre Phillips |
| NYJ | Justin Pugh | Ben Bredeson | John Michael Schmitz Jr. | Mark Glowinski | Tyre Phillips |
| @LV | Andrew Thomas | Justin Pugh | John Michael Schmitz Jr. | Ben Bredeson | Evan Neal |
| @DAL | Andrew Thomas | Justin Pugh | John Michael Schmitz Jr. | Ben Bredeson | Tyre Phillips |
| @WAS | Andrew Thomas | Justin Pugh | John Michael Schmitz Jr. | Ben Bredeson | Tyre Phillips |
| NE | Andrew Thomas | Justin Pugh | John Michael Schmitz Jr. | Ben Bredeson | Tyre Phillips |
| GB | Andrew Thomas | Justin Pugh | John Michael Schmitz Jr. | Ben Bredeson | Tyre Phillips |
| @NO | Andrew Thomas | Justin Pugh | John Michael Schmitz Jr. | Ben Bredeson | Tyre Phillips |
| @PHI | Andrew Thomas | Justin Pugh | John Michael Schmitz Jr. | Ben Bredeson | Tyre Phillips |
| LAR | Andrew Thomas | Justin Pugh | John Michael Schmitz Jr. | Ben Bredeson | Tyre Phillips |
| PHI | Andrew Thomas | Justin Pugh | Ben Bredeson | Mark Glowinski | Matt Peart |
Below is a look at the state of the offensive line with the draft just a few weeks away:
THE NEWCOMERS
Jon Runyan
Previous Team: Green Bay Packers
Career: 67 G, 50 GS (28 at RG, 22 at LG)
The son of longtime rival (and friend) of Michael Strahan, Runyan is well-versed in NFC East rivalries despite spending his first four NFL seasons in the NFC North. The 6-foot-4, 307-pound veteran never missed a game during his time in Green Bay, where he was drafted in the sixth round out of Michigan in 2020.
"Dad played for the Eagles for nine years," Runyan said during his introductory news conference. "I grew up in South Jersey. I kind of understand the whole NFC East rivalry between all these teams. It's some tough, gritty football. Watching my dad and Michael go at it twice a year was always fun watching it go down on Monday night and Sunday Night Football. I'm just happy to be part of it. It's a special part of my childhood, and excited to go forward and implement my own story going forward."
Jermaine Eluemunor
Previous Team: Las Vegas Raiders
Career: 87 G, 45 GS (32 at RT, 7 at LT, 6 at RG)
The first football game Jermaine Eluemunor ever saw was the NFL's debut in London, where the Giants defeated the Dolphins, 13-10, on a soggy pitch at Wembley Stadium. It was late October of 2007 and Eluemunor, who had spent his life in England up to that point, was about to turn 13. It sparked a football journey that brought him to New Jersey, Scranton, Texas A&M, Baltimore, New England, Miami, Jacksonville, Las Vegas, and ultimately back to New Jersey this week.
"For me, my excitement comes from this franchise as a whole," Eluemunor said in his first media session with Giants reporters after he signed as a free agent. "I grew up in Jersey when I moved from London. Also, the first team I ever saw play football was the Giants, and that helmet and that uniform just sticks out to me. It's known across the world. For me coming here to this franchise was always a dream."
And he will do it in No. 72.
Worn throughout college and most of his NFL career, the number will be familiar to Giants fans. Osi Umenyiora won two Super Bowls and climbed to fourth on the franchise's career sacks list in No. 72. Like the 2015 Ring of Honor inductee, Eluemunor was born in London and has Nigerian heritage.
"Osi is my guy," Eluemunor said. "I asked him if I could wear that number because they asked me if I wanted to wear 72, but I knew the history behind it, the player that wore it, and really represented that number well for the Giants. I asked him about it, and he said, 'Absolutely, do your thing.'"
Meanwhile, there is more woven into this homecoming than a jersey.
Elumenor, who moved to Denville, N.J., as a teenager and played at Morris Knolls High School, will reunite with offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo. They go back to their days together in New England, where both arrived in 2019. Bricillo began his NFL career as a coaching assistant before taking over as the Patriots' line coach in 2020. Eluemunor then moved on to the Raiders in 2021, and Bricillo joined him the following season.
In his first season with the Raiders in 2022, Bricillo's unit helped the Raiders' offense rush for 2,059 yards, the team's most in a single season since 2011. Raiders rushers were stopped for a loss or no gain an NFL-low 68 times in 2022, and Josh Jacobs led the league with 1,653 yards.
"If you really look at my production, my best two years came under Carm," Eluemunor said. "To have someone like him that just believes in you and is going to go to war and bat for you up in that room up there and give you tough love and also do what needs to be done and help you in ways that you need to be helped, that goes a long way.
"I've been around the league long enough to know that not every team is blessed to have an o-line coach that knows the game like him but then is also going to be as technical as him and knows the things he knows. He got to study under one of the best o-line coaches, if not the best o-line coach that ever coached in the NFL, (former Patriots offensive line coach) Dante Scarnecchia. To have that experience, that's huge. I think that will be really huge for the young guys to learn from him and take his coaching to help them take that next step in their progression as an offensive lineman."
Aaron Stinnie
Previous Team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Career: 31 G, 12 GS (All at LG)
Undrafted out of James Madison University in 2018, Stinnie has played in 31 games with 12 starts with the Tennessee Titans (2018-19) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2019-2023). He was a member of Tampa Bay's 2020 Super Bowl Championship team and started the final three postseason games, including Super Bowl LV.
The 6-foot-3, 312-pound lineman played in a career-high 13 games with 11 starts for the Buccaneers in 2023 and allowed just two sacks on 442 pass block snaps, according to Pro Football Focus.
Stinnie played in 54 games with 42 consecutive starts at James Madison from 2013-17. He started all 15 games at left tackle as a redshirt senior in 2017 and earned AP first-team FCS All-American honors along with a first-team All-CAA selection. He was also named first-team All-CAA as a redshirt junior (2016).
Stinnie began his collegiate career as a defensive lineman, playing in 12 games on defense as a redshirt freshman before transitioning to the offensive line the following year.
Austin Schlottmann
Previous Team: Minnesota Vikings
Career: 67 G, 14 GS (8 at C, 6 at RG)
Undrafted out of TCU in 2018, Schlottmann has played in 67 games with 14 starts with the Denver Broncos (2019-21) and Minnesota Vikings (2022-2023).
The 6-foot-6, 300-pound lineman has seen time at center, right guard and left guard during his NFL career. He has never allowed more than one sack in a season, according to Pro Football Focus. He played in nine games with three starts for the Vikings in 2023.
Schlottmann started 29 games across three seasons at TCU and was named second-team All-Big-12 as a junior in 2016.
Matt Nelson
Previous Team: Detroit Lions
Career: 43 G, 14 GS (12 at RT, 2 at extra OT)
Nelson, a 6-foot-7, 315-pound Iowa product, spent his first four seasons with the Lions, making 14 starts in 43 appearances as a converted defensive lineman. After he spent 2019 on the practice squad as an undrafted rookie, Nelson saw action in all 16 games in 2020 and made a career-high 11 starts the following season.
Nelson started Weeks 2 and 3 at right tackle for Detroit last season before being placed on injured reserve with an ankle injury. Overall, 12 of Nelson's 14 career starts have been at right tackle. The other two were as an extra offensive lineman.
Nelson spent his collegiate career as a defensive end, appearing in 52 career games (33 starts) for the Hawkeyes. In his final season, he was named Honorable Mention All-Big Ten and the Iowa Comeback Player of the Year. Nelson also won the Team Hustle Award on defense and was a four-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree.
View photos of every move made by the Giants during the 2024 cycle.
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux - Designated for Return / Returned to Practice (November 20)
TE Jordan Murray - Practice Squad (November 20)
T Tyre Phillips - Practice Squad Veteran (November 19)
QB Tim Boyle - Practice Squad Veteran (November 19)
TE/FB Jakob Johnson - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (November 19)
LB Curtis Bolton - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (November 19)
T Garret Greenfield - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (November 19)
T Joshua Miles - Practice Squad Veteran (November 12)
P Matt Haack - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (November 12)
K Graham Gano - Activated from Injured Reserve (November 9)
WR Isaiah Hodgins - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (November 9)
LB Curtis Bolton - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (November 9)
CB Art Green - Free Agent Signing from NYG Practice Squad (November 6)
C Bryan Hudson - Practice Squad (November 6)
T Joshua Miles - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (November 6)
P Matt Haack - Practice Squad Veteran (November 6)
K Graham Gano - Designated for Return/Returned to Practice (November 6)
CB Nick McCloud - Waived, No Recall (November 5)
P Matt Haack - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (November 5)
OLB Tomon Fox - Free Agent Signing from NYG PS (November 2)
TE/FB Jakob Johnson - Practice Squad Veteran (November 2)
K Greg Joseph - Reserve/Injured (November 2)
K Jude McAtamney - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (November 2)
T Marcellus Johnson - Practice Squad (October 30)
T Garret Greenfield - Practice Squad (October 30)
FB/TE Jakob Johnson - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (October 30)
S Gervarrius Owens - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (October 29)
OLB Tomon Fox - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (October 28)
CB Greg Stroman - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (October 28)
OLB Boogie Basham - Practice Squad Veteran (October 24)
DL Armon Watts - Free Agent Signing from NYG Practice Squad (October 22)
OLB Boogie Basham - Waived, No Recall (October 22)
OLB Tomon Fox - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (October 19)
OT Chris Hubbard - Free Agent Signing (from SF Practice Squad) (October 18)
OT Andrew Thomas - Reserve/Injured (October 16)
DT Armon Watts - Practice Squad Veteran (October 15)
CB Duke Shelley - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (October 15)
P Matt Haack - Free Agent Signing (October 12)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux - Reserve/Injured (October 12)
WR Isaiah Hodgins - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (October 12)
RB Dante Miller - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (October 12)
OLB Benton Whitley - Practice Squad (October 8)
G Cade Mays - Signed to CAR Active Roster from NYG Practice Squad (October 8)
ILB Matthew Adams - Activated from Injured Reserve (October 5)
OLB Benton Whitley - Waived, No Recall (October 5)
WR Isaiah Hodgins - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (October 5)
RB Dante Miller - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (October 5)
LB Matthew Adams - Returned to Practice (October 2)
WR Kearis Jackson - Practice Squad (October 1)
CB Greg Stroman - Practice Squad Veteran (October 1)
TE Joel Wilson - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (October 1)
DB Alex Johnson - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (October 1)
TE Lawrence Cager - Terminated (Injury Settlement) from Practice Squad (October 1)
TE/FB Jakob Johnson - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (September 26)
CB Duke Shelley - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (September 26)
TE/FB Jakob Johnson - Practice Squad Veteran (September 25)
LB Ty Summers - Free Agent Signing from NYG Practice Squad (September 25)
FB/TE Jakob Johnson - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (September 24)
TE Joel Wilson - Practice Squad (September 24)
TE Lawrence Cager - Practice Squad; Injured (September 24)
CB Art Green - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (September 21)
LB Ty Summers - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (September 21)
LB Patrick Johnson - Claimed off Waivers from PHI (September 17)
K Greg Joseph - Free Agent Signing from DET Practice Squad (September 17)
K Graham Gano - Reserve/Injured (September 17)
WR Gunner Olszewski - Reserve/Injured (September 14)
OLB Tomon Fox - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (September 14)
LB Ty Summers - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (September 14)
WR Chase Cota - Waived, Injury Settlement (September 13)
FB/TE Jakob Johnson - Free Agent Signing (September 10)
G Cade Mays - Practice Squad Exception (September 10)
OT Marcellus Johnson - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (September 10)
WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette - Free Agent Signing (September 9)
LB Curtis Bolton - Practice Squad Veteran (September 9)
LB Carter Coughlin - Practice Squad; Injured (September 9)
LB Ty Summers - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (September 7)
LB Carter Coughlin - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (September 7)
LB Curtis Bolton - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (September 7)
ILB Carter Coughlin - Practice Squad Veteran (September 6)
TE/FB Jakob Johnson - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (September 6)
ILB Carter Coughlin - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (September 5)
OT Yodny Cajuste - Terminated, Vested Veteran, Injury Settlement (September 4)
WR Isaiah McKenzie - Terminated, Vested Veteran, Injury Settlement (September 3)
FB/TE Jakob Johnson - Practice Squad Veteran (September 2)
WR Miles Boykin - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (September 2)
CB Adoree' Jackson - Free Agent Signing (August 31)
FB/TE Jakob Johnson - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 31)
S Gervarrius Owens - Practice Squad (August 30)
LB K.J. Cloyd - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (August 30)
FB/TE Jakob Johnson - Free Agent Signing from NYG Practice Squad (August 29)
C Austin Schlottmann - Reserve/Injured (August 29)
DB Duke Shelley - Practice Squad Veteran (August 29)
DE Elijah Garcia - Practice Squad (August 29)
DB Art Green - Practice Squad (August 29)
LB Curtis Bolton - Free Agent Signing (August 28)
ILB Dyontae Johnson - Reserve/Injured (August 28)
OLB Tomon Fox - Practice Squad Exception (August 28)
C Jimmy Morrissey - Practice Squad Exception (August 28)
K Jude McAtamney - International Practice Player Signing (August 28)
WR Miles Boykin, TE Lawrence Cager, WR Isaiah Hodgins, FB/TE Jakob Johnson, OT Joshua Miles, LB Ty Summers - Practice Squad Veteran (August 28)
LB K.J. Cloyd, DB Alex Johnson, OT Marcellus Johnson, DB Raheem Layne, RB Dante Miller, DL Casey Rogers - Practice Squad (August 28)
S Anthony Johnson - Claimed off Waivers from GB (August 28)
S Gervarrius Owens - Waived, No Recall (August 28)
LB Matthew Adams - Reserve/Injured - Designated for Return (August 27)
WR Isaiah McKenzie - Reserve/Injured; Prior to Cut to 53 (August 27)
LB Darrian Beavers, LB K.J. Cloyd, LB Tomon Fox, DB Alex Johnson, OT Marcellus Johnson, DB Raheem Layne, K Jude McAtamney, RB Dante Miller, C Jimmy Morrissey, DT Casey Rogers, TE Jack Stoll - Waived (August 27)
WR Miles Boykin, TE Lawrence Cager, DB Tre Herndon, WR Isaiah Hodgins, DB Darnay Holmes, FB/TE Jakob Johnson, DB David Long, OT Joshua Miles, OT Matt Nelson, WR Allen Robinson - Terminated, Vested Veteran (August 27)
DB Mario Goodrich, G Jalen Mayfield, DE Ovie Oghoufo - Waived, Injured, Prior to Cut to 53 (August 27)
RB Joshua Kelley - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 25)
DB Breon Borders - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 25)
DB Jonathan Sutherland - Waived, Injured, Prior to Cut to 53 (August 25)
DT Timmy Horne - Waived, Injured, Prior to Cut to 53 (August 25)
WR Ayir Asante, DT Kyler Baugh, DB Christian Holmes, DB Clayton Isbell, WR John Jiles, LB Trey Kiser, RB Lorenzo Lingard, T Marcus McKethan - Waived, No Recall (August 25)
DB Clayton Isbell - Free Agent Signing (August 20)
WR Dennis Houston - Waived/Injured (August 20)
DT Kyler Baugh - Free Agent Signing (August 19)
LB Trey Kiser - Free Agent Signing (August 19)
DL Ryder Anderson - Waived/Injured (August 19)
OT Yodny Cajuste - Reserve/Injured (August 19)
TE/FB Jakob Johnson - Free Agent Signing (August 16)
TE Tyree Jackson - Waived/Injured, Prior to Cut to 53 (August 16)
RB Joshua Kelley - Free Agent Signing (August 15)
S Raheem Layne - Free Agent Signing (August 15)
S Jonathan Sutherland - Free Agent Signing (August 15)
DL Jordan Phillips - Traded to Dallas Cowboys (August 15)
S Jalen Mills - Terminated, Vested Veteran, Failed Physical (August 15)
DB Elijah Riley - Reserve/Injured (August 15)
RB Lorenzo Lingard - Free Agent Signing (August 12)
RB Jacob Saylors - Waived, No Recall (August 11)
OT Evan Neal - Passed Physical (August 11)
DB Kaleb Hayes - Waived, No Recall (August 11)
LB K.J. Cloyd - Free Agent Signing (August 11)
CB Christian Holmes - Claimed off Waivers from WAS (August 5)
RB Jashaun Corbin - Waived/Injured (August 5)
CB Mario Goodrich - Claimed off Waivers from PHI (July 31)
CB Stantley Thomas-Oliver - Terminated, Vested Veteran, Non-Football Injury (July 31)
OL Greg Van Roten - Free Agent Signing (July 30)
CB Aaron Robinson - Waived, Failed Physical (July 30)
DB Breon Borders - Free Agent Signing (July 28)
QB Nathan Rourke - Waived, No Recall (July 28)
TE Theo Johnson - Passed Physical (July 28)
OT Evan Neal - Declared Physically Unable to Perform (July 23)
CB Aaron Robinson - Declared Physically Unable to Perform (July 23)
DB Jalen Mills - Declared Non-Football Injury (July 23)
DB Stantley Thomas-Oliver - Declared Non-Football Injury (July 23)
TE Theo Johnson - Declared Physically Unable to Perform (July 16)
RB Jacob Saylors - Free Agent Signing (June 18)
WR Chase Cota - Reserve/Injured (June 18)
CB Tre Herndon - Free Agent Signing (June 12)
TE Darren Waller - Reserve/Retired (June 10)
S Tyler Nubin - Selection List Signing (May 31)
DB Elijah Riley - Free Agent Signing (May 30)
RB Gary Brightwell - Waived, Injured (May 30)
TE Theo Johnson - Selection List Signing (May 22)
LB Darius Muasau - Selection List Signing (May 15)
CB Dru Phillips - Selection List Signing (May 14)
DL Elijah Chatman - Free Agent Signing (May 13)
OLB Jeremiah Martin - Waived (May 13)
RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. - Selection List Signing (May 10)
WR Malik Nabers - Selection List Signing (May 10)
K Jude McAtamney - Free Agent Signing: Exempt/International Player (May 10)
WR Ayir Asante, WR John Jiles, DB Alex Johnson, OT Marcellus Johnson, G Jake Kubas, DE Ovie Oghoufo, DL Casey Rogers - Free Agent Signing (May 10)
RB Deon Jackson - Waived, Injured (May 10)
WR Allen Robinson - Free Agent Signing (May 9)
QB Nathan Rourke - Claimed off waivers from New England (May 7)
DB David Long - Free Agent Signing (May 1)
Giants select LB Darius Muasau with No. 183 pick in 2024 NFL Draft
Giants select RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. with No. 166 pick in 2024 NFL Draft
Giants select TE Theo Johnson with No. 107 pick in 2024 NFL Draft
Giants select CB Dru Phillips with No. 70 pick in 2024 NFL Draft
Giants select S Tyler Nubin with No. 47 pick in 2024 NFL Draft
Giants select WR Malik Nabers with No. 6 pick in 2024 NFL Draft
DB Nick McCloud - Restricted Free Agent Signing (April 15)
LB Matthew Adams - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (April 12)
DL Jordan Phillips - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (April 11)
WR Miles Boykin - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (April 9)
S/LB Isaiah Simmons - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (April 5)
RB Dante Miller - Free Agent Signing (April 5)
WR Isaiah Hodgins - Free Agent Signing (March 24)
CB Darnay Holmes - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 22)
OT Matt Nelson - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 22)
OL Austin Schlottmann - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 18)
OL Aaron Stinnie - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 18)
TE Chris Manhertz - Free Agent Signing (March 16)
TE Jack Stoll - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 15)
OL Jon Runyan - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 14)
OL Jermaine Eluemunor - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 14)
RB Devin Singletary - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 14)
QB Drew Lock - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 14)
DB Jalen Mills - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 14)
WR Isaiah McKenzie - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 14)
WR/PR Gunner Olszewski - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 14)
LB Carter Coughlin - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 14)
OLB Brian Burns - Acquired via trade with Carolina Panthers (March 13)
LB Benton Whitley - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (March 12)
LS Casey Kreiter - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (March 12)
G Mark Glowinski - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (March 4)
C Jimmy Morrissey - Reserve/Future Signing (January 23)
WR Chase Cota - Reserve/Future Signing (January 23)
LB Tomon Fox - Reserve/Future Signing (January 10)
DL Ryder Anderson - Reserve/Future Signing (January 8)
OT Yodny Cajuste - Reserve/Future Signing (January 8)
DB Kaleb Hayes - Reserve/Future Signing (January 8)
WR Dennis Houston - Reserve/Future Signing (January 8)
RB Deon Jackson - Reserve/Future Signing (January 8)
ILB Dyontae Johnson - Reserve/Future Signing (January 8)
OLB Jeremiah Martin - Reserve/Future Signing (January 8)
G Jalen Mayfield - Reserve/Future Signing (January 8)
OT Joshua Miles - Reserve/Future Signing (January 8)
DB Stantley Thomas-Oliver - Reserve/Future Signing (January 8)
THE RETURNEES
Andrew Thomas
Career: 55 G, 54 GS (All at LT)
Evan Neal
Career: 20 G, 20 GS (All at RT)
John Michael Schmitz Jr.
Career: 13 G, 13 GS (All at C)
Joshua Ezeudu
Career: 16 G, 7 GS (5 at LT, 2 at LG)
Marcus McKethan
Career: 16 G, 5 GS (4 at RG, 1 at LG)
Coming off a year in which he was named second-team All-Pro, Thomas suffered a hamstring injury in the season opener and played in a career-low 10 games because of it. That started the revolving door up front.
"I think anything that could have went wrong out there went wrong from the opening drive of the season when Andrew does his hamstring and then the next week Bredeson gets a concussion and then John Michael has – I mean, you just go on and on," Schoen said. "We go to Buffalo, and Ezeudu does his toe, and then Pugh straight off the couch … You start going through it. I mean, there was a time there where I think it was Miami, where three practice squad guys were playing for us.
"Fortunately, I've never run into a situation like that before where we've been decimated at the offensive line. You've seen a lot of the signings that we've had, a lot of guys that have played in the league and have started games and have versatility. That's always going to be a priority. It was a little bit of a perfect storm last year unfortunately in terms of injuries and then Andrew re-injuring as he was coming back. Yeah, the offensive line is going to be important. It starts there. I truly believe that. We have to be better up front."
Meanwhile, Neal has been a topic of conversation as he comes back from a season-ending ankle injury. Coach Brian Daboll was recently asked where Eluemunor will play if Neal remains at right tackle.
"I would say we have not even had a chance to sit down with any of the players," Daboll said. "Role-specific or where guys are going to be, we're a little bit away from that. The first people that we would kind of talk to are the players collectively when everybody is in the room. When they get back, we'll sit down and have discussions. You know how it goes with the offensive line. You play a variety of roles. He's got some flexibility. (Guard) Jon (Runyan Jr.) has it on both sides. We'll get to that point. We're not there yet relative to this is what it's going to be, or this is – we still have a way to go."
The Giants also signed four offensive linemen to reserve/future deals: Jimmy Morrissey, Jalen Mayfield, Yodny Cajuste, and Joshua Miles.
THE DEPARTURES
Ben Bredeson, who started 25 games for the Giants at all three interior line positions, signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this offseason. Matt Peart, a 2020 third-round draft choice by the Giants, also left in free agency for the Denver Broncos. Veteran Mark Glowinski was also released before the beginning of the new league year. Justin Pugh and Tyre Phillips started a combined 21 games last season for the team but remain free agents.
THE PROSPECTS
The top five tackles in the 2024 draft class, according to NFL.com's Bucky Brooks:
- Joe Alt (Notre Dame)
- Taliese Fuaga (Oregon State)
- Olumuyiwa Fashanu (Penn State)
- Amarius Mims (Georgia)
- JC Latham (Alabama)
Keep an eye on ... Troy Fautanu (Washington)
Brooks: "The immense talent available at this highly coveted position could lead to an early run on edge blockers once the draft begins. Alt is a polished technician with outstanding balance, body control and lateral quickness. Standing 6-8 5/8 and weighing 321 pounds, he deftly shadowboxes defenders on the edge, exhibiting nearly flawless technique while pitching shutouts in pass protection. Fuaga is a feisty brawler with heavy hands and elite knock-back power. The Oregon State standout is a rare find as a punishing run blocker who displays ballerina-like footwork in pass protection. Fashanu is a natural blind-side protector with the length, athleticism and pop to stymie elite pass rushers. Though his technique remains a work in progress, the Penn State product possesses the rare tools of a franchise-caliber tackle. Mims lacks experience (just eight starts at Georgia), but his extra-large frame (6-7 3/4, 340 pounds) and athleticism could make him a star at the next level. With extraordinary physical tools and raw ability, the Georgia product's an enticing developmental prospect with tremendous upside. Latham is a people mover with the size, strength, balance and body control to overwhelm and overpower opponents on the edges. The Alabama star exhibits excellent patience in pass protection while deftly neutralizing premier pass rushers on the edges."
The top five interior offensive linemen in the 2024 draft class, according to Brooks:
- Graham Barton (Duke)
- Jackson Powers-Johnson (Oregon)
- Christian Haynes (Connecticut)
- Cooper Beebe (Kansas State)
- Zak Zinter (Michigan)
Keep an eye on ... Javion Cohen (Miami)
Brooks: "This draft class features a collection of interior blockers with intelligent play styles and positional flexibility. Barton is an experienced utility player with 2,500-plus college snaps under his belt. Despite spending most of his time at Duke on the edges, he projects as an elite interior presence in the NFL with the potential to register starts at center or guard early in his career. Powers-Johnson is a pure center with a combination of strength, power and agility that enables him to own the point of attack. Though his lack of exceptional length leaves him vulnerable against supersized power players, the Oregon standout's high-revving motor and relentless approach make life miserable for opponents. Haynes specializes in mashing defenders at the line of scrimmage in the run game. As a road grader with nice length and explosive strength, the UConn alum is a plug-and-play prospect on the interior. Beebe is a scrappy interior blocker with active hands and a mauler/brawler game. He punishes defenders at the point of attack, exhibiting the nastiness offensive line coaches love to see in bullies on the front line. Zinter is rated as one of the top prospects in the class, even after suffering a leg injury that prematurely ended his 2023 season. The Michigan standout is strong and stout in pass protection while flashing rugged skills as a run blocker with the capacity to mash and maul at the point of attack."
NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks revealed his final position rankings for the 2024 NFL Draft.
EDGE DEFENDERS
1. Laiatu Latu, UCLA
2. Dallas Turner, Alabama
3. Jared Verse, Florida State
4. Chop Robinson, Penn State
5. Bralen Trice, Washington
Keep an eye on: Chris Braswell, Alabama
DEFENSIVE TACKLES
1. Byron Murphy II, Texas
2. Jer'Zhan Newton, Illinois
3. Kris Jenkins, Michigan
4. Darius Robinson, Missouri
5. Brandon Dorlus, Oregon
Keep an eye on: Leonard Taylor III, Miami
LINEBACKERS
1. Payton Wilson, N.C. State
2. Edgerrin Cooper, Texas A&M
3. Junior Colson, Michigan
4. Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Clemson
5. Cedric Gray, North Carolina
Keep an eye on: Marist Liufau, Notre Dame
CORNERBACKS
1. Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo
2. Terrion Arnold, Alabama
3. Nate Wiggins, Clemson
4. Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama
5. Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Missouri
Keep an eye on: Renardo Green, Florida State
NICKELBACKS
1. Cooper DeJean, Iowa
2. Mike Sainristil, Michigan
3. Max Melton, Rutgers
4. Kamari Lassiter, Georgia
5. Daequan Hardy, Penn State
Keep an eye on: Jarrian Jones, Florida State
SAFETIES
1. Tyler Nubin, Minnesota
2. Javon Bullard, Georgia
3. Calen Bullock, USC
4. Kamren Kinchens, Miami
5. Tykee Smith, Georgia
Keep an eye on: Cole Bishop, Utah
QUARTERBACKS
1. Caleb Williams, USC
2. Jayden Daniels, LSU
3. Drake Maye, North Carolina
4. Michael Penix Jr., Washington
5. J.J. McCarthy, Michigan
Keep an eye on: Bo Nix, Oregon
RUNNING BACKS
1. Jonathon Brooks, Texas
2. Trey Benson, Florida State
3. Jaylen Wright, Tennessee
4. Blake Corum, Michigan
5. Will Shipley, Clemson
Keep an eye on: Bucky Irving, Oregon
WIDE RECEIVERS
1. Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State
2. Rome Odunze, Washington
3. Malik Nabers, LSU
4. Brian Thomas Jr., LSU
5. Keon Coleman, Florida State
Keep an eye on: Troy Franklin, Oregon
SLOT RECEIVERS
1. Ladd McConkey, Georgia
2. Ricky Pearsall, Florida
3. Roman Wilson, Michigan
4. Malachi Corley, Western Kentucky
5. Malik Washington, Virginia
Keep an eye on: Jacob Cowing, Arizona
TIGHT ENDS
1. Brock Bowers, Georgia
2. Ja'Tavion Sanders, Texas
3. Cade Stover, Ohio State
4. Theo Johnson, Penn State
5. AJ Barner, Michigan
Keep an eye on: Ben Sinnott, Kansas State
OFFENSIVE TACKLES
1. Joe Alt, Notre Dame
2. Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State
3. Olumuyiwa Fashanu, Penn State
4. JC Latham, Alabama
5. Amarius Mims, Georgia
Keep an eye on: Troy Fautanu, Washington
INTERIOR BLOCKERS
1. Graham Barton, Duke
2. Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon
3. Christian Haynes, Connecticut
4. Cooper Beebe, Kansas State
5. Zak Zinter, Michigan
Keep an eye on: Javion Cohen, Miami
