The New York Giants’ offensive line was the source of many of the team’s woes this season. Injuries and a lack of development of the younger talent resulted in the unit allowing 85 sacks, the second most in league history since sacks became a trackable stat.
While the Giants addressed part of the problem–the coaching aspect–in firing Bobby Johnson and replacing him with former Raiders offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo, there is still a matter of adding some additional talent to a projected starting offensive line unit that is set in just two spots, left tackle (Andrew Thomas) and center (John Michael Schmitz).
The Giants are all but certain to add to the group this off-season, and it makes a world of sense to add at least one veteran to the starting five, as a veteran can help keep the unit from becoming too overwhelmed during games.
Pro Football Focus’s Brad Spielberger has a couple of veteran offensive linemen in mind for the Giants that could serve as a calming influence while filling the unfilled starting guard positions.
The first suggestion is guard Kevin Dotson, who played most recently in Los Angeles, of whom Spielberger wrote, “Dotson earned himself a lot of money in 2023 following a trade to the Los Angeles Rams, earning a career-high 88.8 run-blocking grade. While his pass blocking dipped compared to prior years, a 68.3 mark serving as a career-low is a pretty strong floor.”
Dotson played over 75 percent of the Rams’ offensive plays this season. In doing so, he showed durability, which few offensive linemen on the Giants’ roster showed this season. Dotson was also ranked as one of the best guards in the NFL in 2023 this season.
Another suggestion by Spielberger is veteran guard Dalton Risner of the Minnesota Vikings. Risner started the last 11 games of the season for the Vikings after joining the team after the season had started. He is a free agent and could be a valuable asset to a team that needs help along their line, like the Giants.
Risner is a much better pass blocker than he is a run blocker. However, the Giants could use his skillset, as they’d likely pass more next season if running back Saquon Barkley doesn’t return. The veteran offensive lineman would instantly upgrade the position group for the Giants.
Whatever approach general manager Joe Schoen takes, any roster rebuild plans must include addressing the team’s worst-performing unit last season, Spielberger concluded.
“While much will be made of the right tackle spot, where 2022 top-10 pick Evan Neal has really struggled, adding a top-end pass protector next to the right tackle could go a long way in stabilizing the right side of the offensive line.”
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