NFL free agency begins on March 9. The Giants, who currently have approximately $14 million in salary cap space, figure to be players in free agency as they attempt to fill some of the holes on their roster. We’re going to take a position-by-position look at how the Giants will approach free agency. Next up is offensive line.
Giants under contract
*Ereck Flowers: Signed through the 2018 season
*Bobby Hart: Signed through the 2018 season
*Weston Richburg: Signed through the 2017 season
*Justin Pugh: Signed through the 2017 season
*Brett Jones: Signed through the 2017 season
*Adam Gettis: Signed to a futures contract through the 2018 season
*Khaled Holmes: Signed to a futures contract through the 2018 season
*Jon Halapio: Signed to a futures contract through the 2018 season
*Martin Wallace: Signed to a futures contract through the 2018 season
*Michael Bowie: Signed to a futures contract through the 2017 season
Giants offensive line overview
Giants free agents
*John Jerry, Marshall Newhouse, Will Beatty
Position priority: High
The Giants need to upgrade their offensive line. Left tackle is a major concern after Ereck Flowers’ second consecutive subpar season, while right guard John Jerry and right tackle Marshall Newhouse are free agents.
Top free agents
*LT Andrew Whitworth (Bengals), G Kevin Zeitler (Bengals), G T.J. Lang (Packers), T Ricky Wagner (Ravens), T Russell Okung (Broncos)
Second-tier free agents
*G Ron Leary (Cowboys), T Riley Reiff (Lions), T Ryan Clady (Jets), C Nick Mangold (Jets), T Matt Kalil (Vikings)
Giants’ OL overview
Draft strategy
It’s unlikely that the Giants will find an impact player with the 23rd pick in a draft that is thin at tackle. With bigger needs elsewhere, the Giants will likely wait to add offensive line help in the draft. The Giants could use depth at guard and tackle, so both positions will be in play in the mid-to-late rounds.
What to expect in the offseason
Upgrading the offensive line should be the Giants’ top priority this offseason. They have Justin Pugh at left guard and Weston Richburg at center; every other position is up for grabs.
Flowers figures to have a spot on the line, but it might not be at left tackle after two disappointing seasons protecting quarterback Eli Manning’s blindside. There are a number of veteran left tackles on the market with varying price tags. The Giants could swing for the fences with Pro Bowler Andrew Whitworth or aim for a mid-tier option like Russell Okung or Ryan Clady.
There are solid right tackle options on the market (Riley Reiff, Ricky Wagner), but those should be considered a backup plan. Finding a left tackle upgrade needs to be the primary objective.
If the Giants completely strike out on tackles, they could elect to spend on a top guard, such as Kevin Zeitler or T.J. Lang.
The bottom line is the Giants need to improve their offensive line and they’ll likely need to spend in free agency to do so.
Dan Duggan may be reached at dduggan@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DDuggan21. Find our Giants coverage on Facebook.
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