New York Giants offensive line could be in better shape than we thought

The New York Giants offensive line has taken plenty of heat over the last couple of years. Big Blue may have finally found a successful combination, however, and they could be in better shape for 2018 than we thought.

When talking about the New York Giants offense, the first thing people mention is their offensive line. Big Blue’s inability to protect Eli Manning and open up holes in the running game led to an early exit in the playoffs last year and as a unit, they struggled to start this season.

However, the Giants don’t need five new starting offensive linemen. They actually need just one or two.

Don’t look now, but Ereck Flowers is playing well. Remember when he got torched by Ezekiel Ansah for three sacks in Week 2? Well, he hasn’t given up a sack since! In fact, Flowers has gone 318 pass blocking snaps since surrendering a sack. That’s good for the second-longest active streak among offensive tackles, according to Pro Football Focus.

Could Flowers finally be realizing his potential? It is still too early to tell but this streak is encouraging. Let’s not forget that Flowers was a top-ten pick in 2015. Not many thought he deserved to be drafted that early but the Giants front office had to have seen something to use such a premium pick on him and maybe, just maybe, he’s figuring things out now in year three.

When it comes to interior linemen, the Giants have found a solid guard combination. I’m not sure having John Jerry at left guard and D.J. Fluker at right guard is the duo of the future but it gives New York options.

Fluker is a free agent at the end of the year but the Giants would most likely be able to re-sign him. Meanwhile, Jerry is signed for the next two seasons.

When healthy, Justin Pugh is Big Blue’s best offensive lineman. He plays his best at left guard but he split time at right tackle this year as well. Pugh is a free agent after the season but will likely be New York’s top priority. They love his versatility and his leadership and they could use their franchise tag on him if all else fails.

At center, Weston Richburg played just four games this season before being placed on injured reserve with a concussion. Richburg is also a free agent at year’s end and although he has played well throughout his career, he may not return next season.

As good as Richburg has been, his replacement Brett Jones has stepped up in his absence. Jones has been great in the running game and has held his own in the passing game. If Jones keeps this play up for the rest of the season, perhaps he could make Richburg expendable or at least give the Giants some leverage in their negotiations with Richburg. Jones will be a restricted free agent and shouldn’t be too difficult to retain.

With an expensive defensive line and the looming free agency of Odell Beckham Jr. and Landon Collins, the New York Giants have to be careful with how much they spend this offseason. If re-signing Pugh makes Richburg too hard to fit in under the salary cap, Jones could be the center moving forward.

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Right tackle is less encouraging for Big Blue (unless Pugh is there). The Bobby Hart experiment has run its course and it’s time to give up on that. Undrafted rookie Chad Wheeler played decently well against Justin Houston on Sunday in his first career start but it’s way too early to make any judgments on him. His play the rest of the season will determine if he’s part of the future.

There are promising pieces to the offensive line but Jerry Reese (or whoever is running the show after this season) MUST address the O-line this offseason. As I mentioned, the Giants need to spend carefully so the NFL Draft may be the way to go. New York is still likely destined for a top-five pick and they could target one of the top offensive tackle prospects.

Notre Dame’s left tackle Mike McGlinchey is considered by many to be the top offensive linemen available this year, so let’s say the Giants make him their first-round pick. Let’s also assume they re-sign Justin Pugh, Brett Jones, and D.J. Fluker.

An offensive line (from left to right) of Ereck Flowers, Justin Pugh, Brett Jones, D.J. Fluker, and Mike McGlinchey could get the job done. The Giants would also have John Jerry as their sixth lineman. If Weston Richburg’s injury lowers his asking price and the Giants re-sign him, they could slide him in at center and move Jones to the bench.

Next: New York Giants: The defense could be special again in 2018

The play of Flowers, Jones, and Fluker for the remainder of this season is crucial to the future of the New York Giants offensive line. If they can continue to play well, the Giants could add a right tackle in the draft and be in good shape. If those guys struggle, however, there will be even more questions heading into this key 2018 offseason.