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Giants Sign Top Guard on the Market to Significant Free-Agent Deal

After serious struggles at guard in 2023 the Giants' front-office has gone out and signed one of the top guards on the free agent market.

By Nicholas Rome

January 20, 2024; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Green Bay Packers guard Royce Newman (70), guard Jon Runyan
January 20, 2024; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Green Bay Packers guard Royce Newman (70), guard Jon Runyan / Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
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Joe Schoen has made a massive move for the New York Giants, signing former Green Bay Packers guard Jon Runyan to a three-year, $30 million dollar contract. Runyan was the top offensive guard on the market and Schoen addressed one of the Giants biggest needs in signing him.

In 2023, this position was one of the Giants' biggest issues with a rotating door of players filling the role. The team used Justin Pugh, Mark Glowinski, Ben Bredeson, Marcus McKethan, and Shane Lemieux at the position with nearly all of the players struggling.

As things currently stand, the Giants' projected offensive line will be Andrew Thomas and Evan Neal at the tackle position, John Michael Schmitz at center, and Runyan at one of the guard positions.

The move signals the Giants plan to go for it in 2024 despite a disappointing 2023 season. The addition of Runyan will fit the Giants both now and in the future if New York makes significant changes at quarterback.

The Giants have ultimately failed in the draft with selecting guards with Josh Ezeudu, Shane Lemieux, and Will Hernandez all failing to pan out long-term. The Giants ultimately needed to move to protect whichever quarterback is under center in 2024 after allowing 85 sacks in 2023.

What's next in free agency for the New York Giants?

The signing of Runyan will take up nearly a third of the $38 million in cap space with just $28 million left for the Giants to spend. The team has former free agents in Xavier McKinney, Adoree Jackson, Tyrod Taylor, and Isaiah Simmons among other free agents still on the market.

The team has also been rumored as potential suitors for Darious Williams, Siran Neal, and Zack Moss, among several other key free agents. The two players I expect the Giants to land are former Bills special teamer Siran Neal and former Jaguars corner Darious Williams.

The Giants have a significant need at cornerback after struggles in 2023 with the position and Jackson hitting free agency. Neal would reunite with former Bills coach Brian Daboll and front office executive Joe Schoen. Williams would provide the Giants with a cost-friendly veteran corner while Williams will certainly get a starting role with the team.

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