New York Giants Eyeing Offensive Tackle Eugene Monroe?
The New York Giants will likely make an attempt to bolster the offensive line. Is former Baltimore Ravens tackle Eugene Monroe a reasonable target?
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Baltimore Ravens released offensive tackle Eugene Monroe after failed trade talks with the New York Giants:
After trade talks with Giants fell through, Ravens released OT Eugene Monroe, per sources. Now free agent. NYG, SD, SEA could have interest.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 15, 2016
As Schefter mentioned in his tweet, the Giants could still find interest in Monroe as a free agent along with other teams around the league.
New York Daily News reporter Ralph Vacchiano also sees the Giants going after the 29-year-old offensive tackle:
There you go: Giants were in on Eugene Monroe. ... They're likely to be in on him as a free agent too ... https://t.co/K8BNqu0qlj
— Ralph Vacchiano (@RalphVacchiano) June 15, 2016
Eugene Monroe had 3 years, $20M left on contract. I'm told Giants had lukewarm trade interest; are more interested in him as a free agent.
— Ralph Vacchiano (@RalphVacchiano) June 15, 2016
After Marshall Newhouse’s poor debut season in New York, it’s not surprising to hear about the front office’s interest before or after Monroe’s release.
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The Jacksonville Jaguars selected Monroe with the No. 8 overall pick in 2009. He started 62 games primarily at left tackle before the team traded him to the Ravens in 2013 for a fourth- and fifth-round pick in the 2014 draft.
In 2014, the Ravens re-signed Monroe to a five-year, $37.5 million deal, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The business deal went sour once injuries plagued the veteran tackle’s career. He played in 17 games over the past two seasons.
Baltimore selected Ronnie Stanley as the No. 6 overall pick in the previous draft, which put the exit writing on the wall for Monroe. A month and a half later, the eighth-year offensive tackle finds himself looking for a job elsewhere.
The Giants have expressed optimism with their offensive line, but it’s never a bad idea to add talent at a weak position. Offensive lineman Bobby Hart will likely push Newhouse for the starting spot at right tackle during training camp. Nonetheless, Monroe would come in with a better resume than Newhouse at tackle.
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As a healthy player on the right side, Monroe could hold a spot on the Giants offensive line heading into the upcoming season.
Unless the Giants have the utmost faith in Newhouse’s turnaround or Hart’s ascension into the starting lineup, it’s worth going after a starting-caliber player to strengthen perimeter protection in the trenches.
New York still holds $18.5 million in cap space, per spotrac.com. General manager Jerry Reese could continue his offseason spending spree without concern about limited financial resources to lure another free agent in the Meadowlands.