Did D.J. Fluker do enough to get re-signed by the Giants?

D.J. Fluker made six starts for the New York Giants this season before landing on injured reserve. Did he do enough during his time on the field to get re-signed?

Recently fired general manager Jerry Reese’s biggest criticism was that he didn’t do enough to improve the New York Giants offensive line this past offseason. Aside from drafting Adam Bisnowaty in the sixth round (who’s been on the practice squad all year), the only significant move Reese made regarding the offensive line was signing D.J. Fluker to a one-year, $3 million deal.

Fluker started the season on the bench, watching John Jerry play right guard and Bobby Hart play right tackle. In Week 4, however, Fluker got the start at right guard after a Bobby Hart injury caused an offensive line shakeup.

When Fluker stepped in at right guard, Jerry flipped to left guard and the Giants running game got a boost. For some reason, Fluker returned to the bench in Week 5 when Hart was ready to play again but New York soon realized that Fluker needed to get back in.

Fluker returned to start at right guard from Week 6 to Week 11 before missing Week 12 with a toe injury that landed him on injured reserve before Week 13.

Now that Fluker is done for the year, did he do enough in his nine games and six starts to get re-signed?

Obviously, Reese signed Fluker and no longer has a say in whether or not he returns. Whoever takes over for Reese will have to decide if Fluker is better than the Giants’ alternatives.

As we mentioned, Fluker helped New York’s running game pick up and he also allowed just one sack. Is he the best right guard in the league? No, but Reese may have actually found a solid offensive lineman this past offseason after all.

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Fluker is only 26 years old and wasn’t the 11th overall pick back in 2013 for no reason. Fluker’s weight (listed at 345 lb.) made it hard for him to stick at right tackle while with the Chargers but at right guard, he is more than serviceable.

The offensive line should be the New York Giants’ top priority this upcoming offseason and re-signing Fluker could help the cause.

With a new front office and coaching staff coming in, the Giants would be best served to acquire as many talented offensive linemen as possible and figure out their best starting five later.

Justin Pugh, Weston Richburg, D.J. Fluker, and Brett Jones are all free agents after this season so there will be plenty of spots to fill. Jones is a restricted free agent so the Giants shouldn’t have a hard time bringing him back if they want to. However, New York may have to choose between re-signing Pugh or Richburg (likely Pugh).

Pugh’s best position is left guard and John Jerry proved this season that his best position is the same. Therefore, the Giants’ best right guard option is D.J. Fluker.

Fluker should come cheaper than a top free agent offensive lineman and likely wouldn’t prevent the Giants from drafting a lineman early in the 2018 NFL Draft.

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When D.J. Fluker signed with the New York Giants in 2017, it was a “prove-it” deal. Despite only starting six games this season, Fluker proved worthy of another contract with Big Blue in 2018.

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