2024 Training Camp

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24 Questions in 24 Days: State of the offensive line

Jul 15, 2024 at 10:30 AM

Matt Citak

Digital Media Coordinator

Giants.com is counting down to the start of 2024 Giants Training Camp with 24 questions in 24 days.

10) What is the state of the offensive line?

Matt Citak: As soon as free agency began, it became clear that improving the offensive line was one of the biggest, if not the biggest, priorities of the offseason. After the unit allowed 85 sacks last season, 20 more than any other team, this should not have come as a surprise to anyone. On the first day of the negotiating period, the Giants agreed to multi-year deals with Jon Runyan Jr. and Jermaine Eluemunor. Runyan came to the Giants after four years with the Green Bay Packers. During that span, the veteran guard did not miss a single game while allowing a pressure on just 3.5 percent of his pass-blocking snaps, the fifth-best rate among guards. He surrendered just two sacks on 568 pass-blocking snaps last year and has never allowed more than three sacks in a season. Meanwhile, Eluemunor played in all 17 games in each of the last two seasons for the Las Vegas Raiders. After a strong 2022 campaign in which he started every game for the first time in his career and allowed just three sacks, the veteran lineman did not surrender a sack in 14 games last season and gave up just one sack total in the final 13 games.

The two veteran additions slotted into the two guard spots in the spring and should help bring stability to the interior of the line around second-year center John Michael Schmitz. Andrew Thomas will hold down the fort at left tackle after a solid 2023 season. A hamstring injury suffered on the first drive of the season limited Thomas to 10 games last year, but once he got back on the field, he returned to his dominant self. The left tackle allowed four sacks and 17 total pressures on 376 pass-blocking snaps, including only one sack and six pressures over the final five games of the season. He earned Pro Football Focus' 10^th-highest pass block grade among all offensives tackles. Rounding out the O-line is right tackle Evan Neal, who may be the key to the unit's success this year. The Giants are hoping that better health and playing next to a veteran like Runyan will benefit the third-year tackle.

"Those are two young guys, but they're really mature for their age and I'm really impressed with them so far," Runyan said about Schimitz and Neal. "It has really been amazing playing next to John Michael. If I would've came in here not knowing his background, I would've thought he was a five-year veteran. He comes in here and he takes it serious. He is on top of his stuff. He rarely makes a mistake, he gets everybody set on the offensive line. Having a center like that is awesome. It helps everybody out, the five across. Helps out the quarterback, helps out the running back when everybody is set, so having John Michael in there has been really important."

In addition to Runyan and Eluemunor, the Giants bolstered their depth. Aaron Stinnie, who started 11 games for the Buccaneers last season and allowed only two sacks, was brought in, as was Austin Schlottmann, who has surrendered just one sack on 178 pass-blocking snaps in his career. Last but certainly not least, the Giants hired new offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo, who has earned rave reviews from his players throughout the spring.

"He just believes in the technique and knows how to make a successful offensive line," Eluemunor said after spending four seasons with Bricillo between his time with the Raiders and Patriots. "The offensive lines we have had the last two years we've been really good because of his coaching and the schematic side. It's easy to go out there and just try to block a three tech, but if you know how to do it and the best way to do it and then also how the play that you have is going to affect your block, that is what separates the good from the greats. Carm does a really good job putting these guys in the right places at the right time, so that's how you open up holes for the running backs and get the quarterback time to throw the ball down the field."

Previous Questions

24) What have the Giants done with the roster since the end of last season?

23) How does the schedule look for the Giants this season?

22) How will the rookies factor into Year 1?

21) Who are the new coaches to know on Brian Daboll's staff?

20) What does Shane Bowen’s defense look like?

19) What’s the deepest position on the roster?

18) What are the new NFL rule changes?

17) What is the most improved position on the roster?

16) What’s the status with Daniel Jones in his rehab progress?

15) Is Brian Daboll taking over play-calling duties?

14) Which offensive player is primed for a breakout season?

13) Which defensive player is primed for a breakout season?

12) Who are some sleeper players to watch?

11) What should we expect from sixth overall pick Malik Nabers?