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New York Giants Draft Preview: Offensive Line

By Kenneth Teape

Feb 24, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish offensive lineman Ronnie Stanley speaks to the media during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 24, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish offensive lineman Ronnie Stanley speaks to the media during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Will the New York Giants take an offensive lineman during the 2016 NFL Draft? We break down their current situation at the position heading into the draft and the likelihood of one being selected.

The New York Giants had a strong start to their offseason with a spending spree to start free agency. But, if the Giants want to truly have a great offseason, they will need to find some success in the NFL Draft beginning Thursday. The Giants have a few holes remaining that they would like to fill, and the draft will afford them that chance.

For this article and others to follow, we will break down the current outlook by position for the Giants, and how much of a need it will be heading into the 2016 NFL Draft. The fifth position we will take a look at is the offensive line.

Current Depth Chart:

Projected Starters: LT Ereck Flowers, LG Justin Pugh, C Weston Richburg, RG John Jerry, RT Marshall Newhouse

Backups: C Brett Jones, G Dillon Farrell, G Adam Gettis, OT Emmett Cleary, OT Jake Rodgers, OT Byron Stingily, OG Bobby Hart

The Giants have put a lot of resources into the offensive line in the last couple of years via the draft. Flowers, Pugh and Richburg were all first or second round picks the last three years. They are the backbone of the offensive line and the building blocks of the unit, as they all have great potential.

The Giants plan for Flowers was expedited, as they originally planned for him to learn the ropes at RT last season as a rookie. But with Will Beatty missing the season because of a torn pectoral muscle, Flowers was pushed to LT.

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He had his struggles, but he has the mean streak that the Giants love in their offensive lineman. He also showed toughness playing through an ankle injury most of the season. With a full training camp knowing he will be the starting left tackle, the Giants will work hard with Flowers to make sure he improves his craft.

He has some security on that side of the line because of how well Pugh has played. Pugh started his career at RT, but moved to guard when the Giants signed Geoff Schwartz. Schwartz didn’t pan out, but Pugh has shown that he can play either guard or tackle, giving the Giants the versatility they love. The same goes for Richburg, who already has a season under his belt at guard, but projects as the center long-term for the Giants.

But, the Giants do not have the same confidence in the right side of their line. Some would say that it is a mess, and it would be tough to argue against them. Both Jerry and Newhouse are decent, but starting next to each other their shortcomings are on full display.

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Newhouse was signed expecting to be the swing tackle for the Giants, but he was forced into the starting lineup because of Beatty’s injury.

Having one of the two in the starting lineup wouldn’t be bad, which is what the Giants will try and have happen this season. The offensive line is arguably the Giants most pressing need heading into the 2016 NFL Draft, and there is a chance they address that need right away with the 10th overall pick.

Notre Dame tackle Ronnie Stanley was originally someone the Giants were being mocked, but his name is moving up boards as he is the top tackle according to some teams. It is unlikely he is available at 10, and the same goes for Ole Miss’ Laremy Tunsil.

If the Giants use the 10th overall pick on an offensive lineman, keep an eye on Michigan State’s Jack Conklin and Ohio State’s Taylor Decker. Both players could immediately slide into the starting lineup for the Giants, filling a need and providing value with the 10th overall pick.

Next: New York Giants Seven-Round Mock Draft

The likelihood of the Giants selecting an offensive lineman is very high this season. On a scale of 1-10, the likelihood is a 10. You can almost guarantee that the Giants will take an offensive lineman, and it wouldn’t come as a surprise if it came in the first or second round.

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