The New York Giants identified the offensive line as a crucial problem needing rectification last offseason. GM Joe Schoen signed Jon Runyan Jr. to a three-year, $30 million contract with $17 million guaranteed and Jermaine Eluemunor to a two-year, $14 million contract with $6.8 million guaranteed. Schoen also added guard Aaron Stinnie, who is a free agent this year.
An investment in competency was needed for the offensive line, but other problems plaguing the Giants led to another bankrupt season. The Giants, who signed veteran Greg Van Roten at the end of July, had a solid offensive line, especially when star left tackle Andrew Thomas was healthy. Still, the longevity of the right guard position remains in question.
I’m open to resigning Van Roten, but the Giants may still be in the market for a massive free-agent addition that would relegate Van Roten to a swing interior role. Even if New York decides to allocate most of their available resources at another position, depth is needed up front. Here are five offensive linemen to monitor.
Trey Smith, KC
Smith is the crème de la crème of the offensive line free agency class, and his future contract will reflect that. The 25-year-old fell to the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft because of blood clots in his lungs. He played more than 1,000 snaps in each season with the Chiefs; just about every snap was at right guard.
He may reset the guard market, which the Eagles’ Landon Dickerson currently occupies the top spot at $21 million average annual value, and the Falcons’ Chris Lindstrom, who makes $20.5 million AAV. Spotrac has Smith just under that, with a $19.7-million AAV over four years ($78.8-million). The bruising former Kansas City Chiefs could easily go north of Spotrac’s calculation.
The 6-foot-6, 321-pounder surrendered 34 pressures in 2024 and one sack; his pressure totals are a high 175 over 3,518 pass-blocking snaps, but playing with an improvising quarterback like Patrick Mahomes results in pressures. Smith is also very grabby and has been penalized 39 times in his career. He had 11 penalties in each of the last two seasons.
If New York wants to secure its offensive line and turn it into an asset moving forward, then signing Smith to a long deal would be one step toward that goal. He’s not refined, but he is a tone-setter who can pave the way for the rushing attack while bringing an intimidating demeanor to pass protection. He would help optimize John Michael Schmitz, and the right side of the line would be a load of mass with either Eluemenuor or Evan Neal starting.
Mekhi Becton, PHI
Is he a changed offensive lineman after attending Stoutland University? This is a question many teams are pondering about the 25-year-old former New York Jet. Becton could not stay on the field with New York; he was often injured and reportedly out of shape, but the Eagles’ revered offensive line coach, Jeff Stoutland, took the tackle and turned him into a plus starter at right guard.
He allowed 34 pressures and five sacks with five penalties in 2024 as he helped the Eagles secure their second Lombardi Trophy. He’s certainly not technically refined, but he was respectable and an asset for Saquon Barkley and the Eagles’ rushing attack. Becton’s final year in — 2023 — New York was a disaster. He allowed 50 pressures and twelve sacks with 18 penalties at left tackle. This signing would be for the right guard position.
Spotrac has a four-year contract, $40.9 million ($10.2 AAV). He’s an option if the Giants don’t want to break the bank, but there are many reasons to be concerned. He’s a high-risk signing, but his age and recent development are encouraging for the 6-7, 363-pound man.
Will Hernandez, ARI
Should the Giants bring Hernandez back? I don’t see why not! Hernandez stabilized in the desert and became an above-average starting guard for the Arizona Cardinals. I, of course, am unsure if Hernandez wants to return to New York after getting run out of town, but his play on tape is much different.
The 29-year-old is coming off a season-ending knee injury that he suffered in Week 7, and Spotrac expects him to sign a two-year, $8.6 million contract ($4.3 million). Depending on his recovery, that’s fair compensation for Hernandez, who only allowed eight pressures in 163 pass-blocking snaps before the injury.
Through two and a half seasons, Hernandez surrendered seven sacks and 53 pressures while playing exclusively at right guard. He played right guard for the Giants in 2021 but was solely a left guard before his switch. There’s a lot of history and baggage with Hernandez — and he’s not fully healthy — but if he passes a physical, it’s wise to at least consider him as an option for Carmen Bricillo’s unit.
Dalton Risner, MIN
The Giants were reportedly interested in Risner when he was a free agent. However, he signed back with the Vikings in 2024 on a one-year, $2.4 million contract. He suffered a back injury in training camp that kept him out until Week 11. He started upon his return and surrendered 21 pressures and one sack, playing 611 total snaps — all at right guard.
The 29-year-old 6-5, 312-pound guard was selected in the second round of the 2019 draft by the Denver Broncos. He started four seasons for the Broncos and rarely missed any time. He then played 745 snaps in 2023 for the Vikings and battled back for the 611 snaps last season. Risner is a good pass protector with solid run-blocking ability; he’s disciplined with his hands and an overall asset on the offensive line.
Spotrac has his market value of just two years, $6.7 million, a $3.4 million AAV. He’s an inexpensive addition with starting upside who could be an extreme value for the Giants.
Josh Jones, BAL
I wanted to add a true offensive tackle to the list because the Giants’ swing tackle position is still precarious behind Thomas — who finished each of the last two seasons injured — and Eluemunor. Evan Neal, though, did play his best professional football down the stretch of the season last year — just saying.
Nevertheless, another tackle option is necessary. Jones hasn’t displayed consistent competency through his five seasons in the NFL, but the 6-6, 310-pound raw 27-year-old has a high ceiling and provides an upgrade over the Giants’ current offensive tackle depth. Jones has experience at both tackle spots and played 612 snaps at right guard and 63 at left guard.
Jones’ versatility piqued my interest, and Spotrac had his average annual value at just $1.9 million, which would make him one of the lower-paid offensive linemen on the team. He’s not the most exciting, but a solid option for depth.
