Giants’ offensive line is still unsettled

THE GIANTS entered the offseason facing questions about their offensive line. So far, they have no clear answers. While Big Blue signed former first-round pick D.J. Fluker, they have yet to reveal their solutions at the tackle spots.

And while after the 2016 season Jerry Reese raised the possibility of Ereck Flowers changing positions, currently the most likely scenario is the most frightening one: Flowers sticking at left tackle.

“I have a lot of confidence in Ereck,” Ben McAdoo said Tuesday at the league meetings in Phoenix. “One of the best games Ereck played all year was the playoff game, the last game of the season. He’s working hard on his technique, I’m pretty confident he’s working very hard right now at being a better player, putting a lot of time and effort and energy into it this time of year.”

The reality is, barring the Giants picking a left tackle in the first round of the upcoming NFL draft, they really don’t have another choice but to protect Eli Manning’s blindside with Flowers and hope for the best.

And the chances of them taking a tackle early? Well, it’s possible, but when McAdoo was asked if this class of offensive linemen was weaker than recent years, he said, “I think that’s a safe argument.”

Wisconsin’s Ryan Ramczyk, Utah’s Garett Bolles and Alabama’s Cam Robinson are widely considered the top tackle prospects.

Right tackle is also currently an unknown. Bobby Hart started 13 games for Big Blue there in 2016, but by the end of the season was clearly dissatisfied and replaced him with Marshall Newhouse, who is now with the Raiders. While Hart could return to his old role, McAdoo noted that Fluker could be a candidate for right tackle, where he started his career playing.

McAdoo said he could imagine Fluker playing “either guard spot, possibly right tackle. He adds depth and competition right now. We’ll see how he fits, how he picks up the new system.”

If Fluker doesn’t play right tackle, he’ll presumably compete with John Jerry for the starting right guard position.

“Fluker’s a big man, he can block out the sun,” McAdoo said. “Brandon (Marshall) almost didn’t fit through my doorway, Fluker didn’t. He had to turn sideways to get through the doorway. He’s a big man. He loves the game, provides a lot energy there.”

@SethWalderNYDN