2025 NFL Draft: Three edge rusher prospects the Ravens should consider paulbanks The Baltimore Ravens’ top needs in this April’s NFL draft are offensive tackle and wide receiver. It sounds strange to say this, given how offense was the team’s strong suit in 2924, but depth is badly needed at both positions. After that, the edge rusher position isn’t far behind in terms of team needs. The Ravens’ defensive line is aging, and they need to create a more consistent, improved pass rush. That’s a big reason Baltimore was near the bottom of the league in passing yards allowed—they didn’t generate enough pressure. This issue will have to be addressed this offseason. NFL Network draftnik Daniel Jeremiah believes the Ravens will go this route in the first round. Bradyn Swinson, LSU There is so much depth at the edge position in this draft that we could see six or seven edge rushers off the board by the time the Ravens make their first pick at #27. And most likely, 13 or 14 edge prospects will have already been selected by the time Baltimore is on the clock again in the second round. So will they trade up to take one? If the Ravens wait until the third round to address this issue, Swinson is projected to still be available at that point. At least one mock draft, published on Tankathon, sees Baltimore going OT in the first, WR in the second, and Edge in the third, landing on this Oregon Duck turned LSU Tiger. Swinson is pretty quick for his size, and that would make him a good fit for what defensive coordinator Zach Orr likes to do in his blitzing packages. R.J. Oben, Notre Dame If the Ravens want to address this need on day three of the draft, most likely as a supplement to the edge rusher they already selected earlier, then Oben would make a lot of sense. He transferred along with his quarterback teammate from Duke to Notre Dame, where he had a chance to play multiple positions along the defensive line. “Our defensive coordinator [Al Golden] is an absolute defensive mastermind who put me in a lot of different positions in terms of being all along the defensive front,” Oben said in an exclusive with RG. “They taught me various techniques and working on different sides of the field.” “That is something I was not originally used to, and it definitely helped me to expand my versatility and refine techniques.” In addition to that versatility, Oben has very good speed for someone his size, and he seems to be rising on the draft boards because of it. Kyle Kennard, South Carolina Kennard, the reigning SEC Defensive Player of the Year (which is a pretty impressive feat in itself), was a big reason why the Gamecocks stayed in college football playoff contention until the end of the regular season. He opted out of the Citrus Bowl loss to Illinois, and that was probably a wise decision given how he projects as a mid-to-late second-rounder. So he may not be there when the Ravens select at #59, if GM Eric DeCosta believes his team should address this issue in round two. SC Coach Shane Beamer helped Kennard reach his full potential, and you can see that every time he “sets a violent edge” and “makes plays in space.” And yes, we apologize for using two painfully shopworn NFL Draft cliches.
2025 NFL Draft: Three edge rusher prospects the Ravens should consider
Can you guess this Bengals defensive back in today’s in-5 trivia game?
Think you can figure out which Bengals player we’re talking about? You’ll get five clues to figure him out in our new guessing game! Hey there, Bengals fans! You’ve probably seen the SB Nation in-5 trivia game, and we now have a Bengals version. Here at Cincy Jungle, you’ll get a daily Bengals version of this game. We’ll be coming up with the names and clues to past and present players you’ll have to guess the name of in five tries. You can still play the SB Nation version. You just need to go to sbnation.com, where it lives on the front page daily. You can play the game below and share your results in the comments or on social media. Please share any and all feedback about the game, both good and bad. You can post feedback in the comments, but we also have a Google Form. We’re past the beta stage of the game, but it’s still a work in progress. See the Cincy Jungle in-5 game instructions below the game. Cincy Jungle in-5 instructions The goal of the game is to guess the correct Bengals player with the help of up to five clues. We’ll mix in BOTH ACTIVE AND RETIRED PLAYERS. It won’t be easy to figure it out in one or two guesses, but some of you might be able to nail it. After you correctly guess the player, you can click “Share Results” to share how you did down in the comments and on social media. We won’t go into other details about the game as we’d like your feedback on it. How it plays, what you think of it, the difficulty level, and anything else you can think of that will help us improve this game. You can provide feedback in the comments of this article, or you can fill out this Google Form. Who Dey!
Indianapolis Colts Free Agents: Swipe Left Or Swipe Right
Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images The Indianapolis Colts 2024 season has come to an end. After a very disappointing season the Colts now face a pivotal offseason to help steer the franchise back in the right direction and back to winning ways. The first big topic on the Colts offseason agenda is deciding who among their own free agents they should re-sign. The Colts currently have 18 players set to become unrestricted free agents at the end of the NFL year. So, today we are going to play a little game of swipe left (no) or swipe right (yes), made famous by a certain dating app, with the Colts upcoming free agents. Center Ryan Kelly – Swipe Left Ryan Kelly has been nothing short of amazing from day one since being drafted in 2016. Kelly has been a top 5 center in the league for most of his NFL career whiskey being named second team all-pro and to the pro bowl four times. However, the last two years his performances have started to show signs of decline. The Colts drafted Tanor Bortolini last year and the small sample size of snaps he took showed viewers that the Colts can move on from Kelly with Bortolini more than capable of taking on the starting center job. Tight End Mo Alie-Cox – Swipe Left The Colts tight end roll in 2024 was a collective disaster. Not one tight end showed out in any aspect of the game and because of that the offense suffered and had a big missing piece. Alie-Cox has been the Colts starting tight end the past couple years and his main strength has been his blocking in the run game. However, Alie-Cox just doesn’t bring enough to the offense to warrant re-signing to a new contract, both his blocking ability and receiving skills can be easily replicated and replaced in a younger and cheaper option. Quarterback Joe Flacco – Swipe Left Joe Flacco was brought in to be Anything Richardson’s back up however after a rollercoaster 2024 he ended up playing and starting in multiple games. Flacco was useful in 2024 when asked to step in and play however the Colts need a real competition in the quarterback room and not a 39 year old on his last legs of his career. Linebacker E.J Speed – Swipe Left E.J Speed went from an unheard of draft prospect in 2019 to a full time starting linebacker for the Colts in 2023. Speed stepped into the starting role in 2023 and racked up back to back 100 tackle seasons. However, Speed has been in reliable as a linebacker, missing tackles, being picked on in coverage and washed out by offensive lineman in the run game. The Colts need help at linebacker but re-signing Speed would be a mistake. Safety Julian Blackmon – Swipe Right The Colts current safety room for 2925 is as follows; Nick Cross, Rodney Thomas and Daniel Scott. Cross is the starting strong safety, Thomas needs to stick to playing strictly special teams and Scott is coming off bs k to bs k season ending injuries. The Colts need safety help and need it badly. Re-signing Blackmon would be a step in the right direction but not to be a starter, instead to be a veteran voice in the safety room and a versatile back up. Wide Receiver Ashton Dulin – Swipe Right Ashton Dulin is a low cost wide receiver who knows the offense well enough to step in when needed to and is an absolute stud gunner on special teams. It makes all the sense in the world to re-sign him providing the cost is still low. Defensive Tackle Taven Bryan – Swipe Left Taven Bryan signed for the Colts during the 2023 off-season and then was re-signed to another one year deal last year. The Taven Bryan experience has been full of way more lows than highs and it’s time for the Colts to move on and look elsewhere for interior defensive line depth. Defensive End Dayo Odeyingbo – Swipe Right Dayo Odeyingbo started his Colts career off being selected in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft despite being still in the process of returning from a torn Achilles pre-draft. Odeyingbo has steadily improved over his four year career, which peaked in 2023 when he had a breakout year producing 8 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 38 tackles and 9 tackles for loss. His versatility gives the Colts a lot to work with and he certainly deserves a second contact in Indianapolis. Center Danny Pinter – Swipe Right Danny Pinter is another former Colts draft pick, he re-signed on a one year deal last year after coming to the end of his rookie contract. Pinter is a hardworking versatile offensive lineman who can start in a pinch at multiple positions. Teams need guts like Pinter and if the Colts plan on letting Kelly leave re-signing Pinter is an important move. Tight End Kylen Granson – Swipe Left The Colts tight end room might as well not have existed in 2024, stats prove it was close to being non-existent. No one tight end stood out or even showed anything close to a spark during the season. Granson was drafted to be the receiving tight end who could be moved around the line, he had shown nothing close to being a consistent contributor apart from in his drops. Offensive Guard Will Fries – Swipe Right Will Fries is probably the most important Colts free agent this offseason. He broke his leg during the season and the Colts could not replace him in the line up. With a big year in terms of transition along the offensive line it is paramount the Colts lock up one of their best young offensive linemen in Fries to a new contract. It is looking to be potentially less expensive since the injury but he rightfully deserves a good pay day. Running Back Trey Sermon – Swipe Left Sermon
Raiders quarterback 2025: Fans want J.J. McCarthy
J.J. McCarthy | Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images Raider Nation on board with trade for young quarterback The hottest topic of the Las Vegas Raiders’ 2025 offseason, when it comes to the player addition season, will be who the next starting quarterback will be. There are no clear answers and the team may have to get creative to solve the issue. If that somehow were to lead to a trade for Minnesota Vikings’ young quarterback J.J. McCarthy, many Raiders’ fans will be pleased. We recently asked our community members of they would approve the Raiders’ trading for McCarthy, the No. 10 overall draft pick alst April who missed his rookie season after playing against the Raiders in the preseason. The results were overwhelming. In a poll with 1,107 votes cast, 790 voters (71 percent) approved of a McCarthy trade for the Raiders, while just 317 voters (29 percent) were not in favor of a McCarthy pursuit. Of course, the Vikings will have to have interest in trading the Michigan product first. ESPN has recently reported teams are expected to call the Vikings about McCarthy’s availability this offseason. The Vikings flourished this season under Sam Darnold and they could opt to give him a long-term extension or they could franchise tag him. So, that would make McCarthy expendable. But Darnold struggled in the final two games, so the Vikings will have a decision to make. McCarthy, who just turned 22, could cost the Raiders’ No. 6 overall draft pick and a mid-round pick. Still, many fans see on board with the idea.
Bills candidates for contract extensions during the 2025 offseason
Bills candidates for contract extensions during the 2025 offseason WR Khalil Shakir Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images Shakir has been both a top target as well as a go-to receiver for Buffalo QB and NFL MVP Josh Allen over the past two seasons, giving him a reliable option in the slot and beyond to help fill some of the voids left by past receivers like Cole Beasley and Stefon Diggs. Beasley’s free agent deal with the Bills when he was signed away from the Dallas Cowboys in free agency could provide some framework for a Shakir extension. And Joe Brady’s spread-out offensive distribution could help to keep deals for players like Shakir, 2024 trade acquisition Amari Cooper, and running back James Cook honest. Nonetheless, Shakir’s deal would be one of the top priority pacts to get done. DE Greg Rousseau Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images Another priority candidate for an extension is Bills defensive end Greg Rousseau. The edge rusher has been one of the team’s best players on defense for the past several years. His development and progression, however, have not yet reached his breakout level of potential though he has shown flashes of it, which lays the groundwork for an extension between him and the club that works for both sides. Rousseau’s extension is another one that is likely to get done, especially since Buffalo might add some more punch to their pass rush this offseason which could open things up more for players like him and fellow DE A.J. Epenesa. CB Christian Benford Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images A top talent in the defensive secondary, Benford rose this season to be not just one of the top talents on the team but also in the NFL at his position. An extension to lock him in at age 24 on a multi-year deal would secure his services during his prime years as a part of the Bills secondary. The team needs some more depth behind him to either reliably back up or replace free-agent corner Rasul Douglas as Kaiir Elam has yet to progress, making him either a long-term development project or a trade chip. That need and the salary cap situation could result in a short-term reunion pact with a familiar face or two in free agency with former Bills corners Tre White and a favorite of head coach Sean McDermott, Dane Jackson, both available. No matter what, securing Benford on an extension will give them an anchor at the starter position. RB James Cook Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images Spotrac estimates Cook’s market value to be $9 million per season on a four-year extension. That would be a reasonable deal considering his three-year progression in the league and back-to-back 1,000+ yard seasons. A raise that reflects the steps forward he took at the pro level during the 2023 and 2024 seasons would be fair. There is, however, a complexity that has emerged in that Cook is uncharacteristically and publically demanding $15M per year on a new deal. It’s counter to the Bills team culture and in-house style of dealing with things, in which they take care of their players contractually since Brandon Beane became GM. Cook only played 55% of the offensive snaps in 2023 and 48% in 2024 since he became the starter two years ago. On top of that, the 2024 season was the first one in which the running back reached the heights he did. In 2024, he ranked 38th among all running backs which was pretty far behind players like Philadelphia Eagle and newly minted Super Bowl champion Saquon Barkley (sixth at 74%, playing on a $12.6 million per year three-year deal), and longtime New Orleans Saints veteran Alvin Kamara (eighth at 71%, playing on a $15 million per year deal over five years.) Then again, the players who thrive the most in Joe Brady’s “everyone eats” offense aren’t those who necessarily get the ball the most, but those who make the most of the opportunity when their number’s called. To that end, Cook’s 1,267 yards from scrimmage and AFC-leading 18 touchdowns exude the efficiency needed to succeed in Brady’s playcalling. Spotrac contract expert Michael Ginnitti pointed out that “the Bills have around 8 players eligible & worthy of a contract extension this winter, but Cook might become the most sensible priority…paying above-average running backs as early as possible seems to be the best path forward based on age/shelf life.” The answer? Meet in the middle. This is a deal both parties should get done. Cook’s contract demand is at a price tag held by veterans like Christian McCaffrey and Kamara who pieced together multiple seasons like the one Cook just had before they were awarded their current deals. While his older brother Dalvin appears to be gassing him up on the idea, both the demand and forcing the issue outside of the appropriate business process and timeline to get a deal done as well as his fixation on Average Annual Value (AVV) are one dimensional and antiquated ways of thinking in the modern NFL market. Beane is one of the most innovative GMs in the NFL when it comes to payroll economics and structures, awarding Cook with a raise in the 10-12M+ range and rolling that money out over four years to payout in different forms, like signing bonuses, performance incentives, etc. is a much more practical way for both sides to get what they want in an extension. Making a flat $15M AVV a non-negotiable would be the opposite of the selfless culture the Bills’ offensive players have built, and again, would be out-of-character for the younger Cook. If he truly wants to be paid what he’s worth, earning additional money through incentives to reach that AVV, accepting it through a signing bonus, or in a fourth year on a deal should be no problem. C Conor McGovern Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports McGovern has succeeded in his roles on the Buffalo offensive line since the team signed him away
Strategic Crossroads: Sam Darnold’s Future and the NFL Scouting Combine
Hey Vikings fans, it’s crunch time for Sam Darnold! Are we tagging and keeping him, tagging and trading him, or letting him walk? Has the decision already been made? The decision impacts our future, and all eyes are on the combine. Get ready for some big moves! | Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images Join Dave Stefano solo on Two Old Bloggers as he tackles the Vikings’ critical QB decisions around Sam Darnold, previews the NFL Combine, discusses Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s contract talks, and celebrates the team’s #1 ranked fan experience. Welcome back to another episode of ‘Two Old Bloggers’, brought to you by Vikings 1st & SKOL, part of the Fans First Sports Network! Today, Dave Stefano is flying solo as Darren Campbell enjoys a sunny vacation in Mexico. In this episode, Dave dives into the latest news and hot topics surrounding the Minnesota Vikings. Brace yourselves, because we’re getting controversial and breaking down everything from the NFL combine to critical quarterback decisions. Summary: Combine Countdown & Vikings’ QB Decisions: Dave analyzes the pressing question of whether or not the Vikings will franchise tag Sam Darnold. With reports of the high cost and potential impacts on the team’s future, he explores several options: re-signing, trading, or letting Darnold walk. NFL Scouting Combine Primer: As the NFL Scouting Combine kicks off, Dave provides an in-depth look at the process, including player medical examinations, interviews, and on-field workouts. Vikings’ Fan Experience: The Vikings were ranked number one for overall game-day satisfaction, with top marks in-game entertainment and staff performance. Dave celebrates the team’s stellar fan engagement. Chris Kluwe’s Controversial Arrest: Former Vikings player Chris Kluwe has been arrested for civil disobedience at a town council meeting. Dave shares his thoughts on the incident. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s Extension Talks: Dave reviews the current status of extension talks for Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and discusses the potential timeline and implications for the team. Listen: Watch: With so much happening in Vikings land, this episode is packed with insightful analysis and plenty of debate. Don’t miss out on Dave Stefano’s detailed breakdowns and bold opinions as he covers all things Vikings. Tune in, share your thoughts, and stay connected with Vikings 1st & SKOL! Fan With Us! We have your Minnesota Vikings talk amongst the Two Old Bloggers, Darren @KickassblogVike, and Dave @Luft_Krigare. Join the conversation! Fan with us at Vikings 1st & SKOL @Vikings1stSKOL and with our podcast partner Fans First Sports Network @FansFirstSN and Fans First Sports Network’s NFL feed @FFSN_NFL where you get sports takes for the fan, from the fan!
Lions 2024 season stock report: Risers, fallers on defense, ST
What’s new at Pride of Detroit Direct? If you want more Lions coverage, our newsletter is the answer for you. There, we have weekly columns, deep analytical dives, and exclusive podcasts to offer comprehensive coverage of free agency, the draft, and everything in between as we prepare of a momentous 2025 Detroit Lions season.
2024 Detroit Lions awards: Offensive Player of the Year
What’s new at Pride of Detroit Direct? If you want more Lions coverage, our newsletter is the answer for you. There, we have weekly columns, deep analytical dives, and exclusive podcasts to offer comprehensive coverage of free agency, the draft, and everything in between as we prepare of a momentous 2025 Detroit Lions season.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73924555/2187364018.0.jpg?w=1200&resize=1200,0&ssl=1 "2025 NFL Mock Draft: Projecting all 32 first-round picks")
2025 NFL Mock Draft: Projecting all 32 first-round picks
Photo by Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images The Eagles are Super Bowl Champions, in case you forgot. It’s easy to get caught up in this glorious fact, and you should! But the team is already looking ahead to the offseason and the 2025 NFL draft. With the NFL Combine beginning this week, lots can still change. Here is how the draft could shake out if it took place today. Tennessee Titans: Abdul Carter, Edge Defender, Penn State – The Titans very well could get a quarterback here, but Abdul Carter is the best player in the class at an extremely valuable position. Cleveland Browns: Travis Hunter, Cornerback/Wide Receiver, Colorado – The Browns could also grab a quarterback, but snagging Hunter here would be a boost for their roster. New York Giants: Shedeur Sanders, Quarterback, Colorado – The Giants have to take a shot at quarterback here. They have some talented pieces on offense that Sanders could come in and succeed with on day one. New England Patriots: Tetairoa McMillan, Wide Receiver, Arizona – The Pats have a real talent in Drake Maye. Now they can give him a legit number one receiver. Jacksonville Jaguars: Luther Burden III, Wide Receiver, Missouri – The Jaguars need to prioritize surrounding Trevor Lawrence with weapons. Luther Burden III would be an asset in the slot with Brian Thomas Junior stretching the field. Oakland Raiders: Cam Ward, Quarterback, Miami – The Pete Carroll regime gets a fresh start with a talented quarterback at the helm. New York Jets: Tyler Warren, Tight End, Penn State – With no obvious quarterback here, the Jets add a legit weapon to their offense. The combination of Warren, Garrett Wilson, and Breece Hall should make life easy on whoever the next quarterback is. Carolina Panthers: Mason Graham, Defensive Lineman, Michigan – The Panthers got a spark of hope when Bryce Young really showed life in the late season. Now they can focus on building a formidable defense. New Orleans Saints: Kenneth Grant, Defensive Lineman, Michigan – The Saints need to add youth to their defense. Kenneth Grant is a big physical player who can be a centerpiece on that line. Chicago Bears: James Pearce Junior, Edge Defender, Tennessee – Ben Johnson will get the Bears offense cooking, so they can focus on adding more weapons to their defensive line. San Francisco 49ers: Will Campbell, Offensive Tackle, LSU – The Niners were ravaged by injuries last year, but they also need to get younger on their offensive line. Dallas Cowboys: Ashton Jeanty, Running Back, Boise State – Obviously. Miami Dolphins: Malaki Starks, Safety, Georgia – The Dolphins defense will need to reload this offseason. Starks is a do-it-all safety who could thrive at any level. Indianapolis Colts: Jahdae Barron, Defensive, Texas – The Colts could use some more talent in the secondary. Barron would be phenomenal as a big nickel defender. Atlanta Falcons: Will Johnson, Cornerback, Michigan – The Falcons have a lot of potential going into next year, but need more defensive firepower. Raheem Morris would probably love Will Johnson locking it down for him. Arizona Cardinals: Walter Nolen, Defensive Lineman, Ole Miss – The Cardinals desperately need to beef up their trenches. Cincinnati Bengals: Kelvin Banks, Offensive Lineman, Texas – The quest to protect Joe Burrow continues. Kelvin Banks could play guard or tackle at a high level. Seattle Seahawks: Mike Green, Edge Defender, Marshall – The Seahawks add some more pass rushing potency with Mike Green. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Mykel Williams, Edge Defender, Georgia – The Buccaneers would benefit from Mykel Williams between his high level run defense and athleticism. If he can improve as a pass rusher, this would be a steal. Denver Broncos: Emeka Egbuka, Wide Receiver, Ohio State – The Broncos have their quarterback in Bo Nix. Now they can add some more pieces around him. Emeka Egbuka will be a reception machine on day one. Pittsburgh Steelers: Matthew Golden, Wide Receiver, Texas – The Steelers have big questions to answer at quarterback this offseason, but they also need to add more receiver talent to complement George Pickens. Golden’s finesse and ability to play in the slot make a lot of sense for Pittsburgh. Los Angeles Chargers – Colston Loveland, Tight End, Michigan – C’mon. Green Bay Packers: Shemar Stewart, Edge Defender, Texas A&M – The Packers love betting on Traits Guys and that feels like Shemar Stewart through and through. He is unbelievably talented but just needs to land with a patient coaching staff. Minnesota Vikings: Josh Simmons, Offensive Lineman, Ohio State – The Vikings get a versatile and pro-ready lineman to continue building an offense around JJ McCarthy. Houston Texans: Derrick Harmon, Defensive Lineman, Oregon – The Texans go with solid, safe defensive lineman who can open things up further for Will Anderson and company. Los Angeles Rams: Armand Membou, Offensive Tackle, Missouri – The Rams drafted so well last year, going with tons of “obvious” picks. This year I’d expect the same as they draft a high upside tackle here. Baltimore Ravens: Nic Scourton, Edge Defender, Texas A&M – The AFC is a Quarterback Arms Race and the Ravens get some pass rush help here to slow down Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, or whomever else in January. Detroit Lions: Jalon Walker, Linebacker/Edge Defender, Georgia – Feels like a Dan Campbell pick. Jalon Walker adds a ton of speed, physicality, and versatility to a defense that overachieved last year despite injuries. Washington Commanders: Grey Zabel, Offensive Tackle, North Dakota State – The Commanders should be very excited about the future with Jayden Daniels at the helm. Now Washington needs to build a much better offensive line around him. Buffalo Bills: Jihaad Campbell, Linebacker, Alabama – The Bills add needed linebacker talent here. Campbell is raw, but the talent is obvious and Sean McDermott could coach him up into a being a three-down difference maker. Kansas City Chiefs (Super Bowl Losers): Josh Conerly Junior, Offensive Tackle, Oregon –Anything to
New York Giants free agency primer: 5 offensive linemen to consider
Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images 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