1. FORTIFY THE OFFENSIVE LINE
Gettleman said it best the day he was hired: “We’ve got to fix the O-line, let’s be honest. Let’s not kid each other.” The offensive line has been an unresolved priority for years, and it’s doubly important with an aging and immobile Eli Manning, 37, back as the starting QB. That means reevaluating the entire unit but most importantly left tackle. Incumbent Ereck Flowers, with his $2.3 million fourth-year salary guaranteed, might stay on the roster but can’t protect Manning’s blind side anymore.
Second-year undrafted free agent Chad Wheeler looked promising at the end of his rookie year, but winning now likely means making a major investment here. Seven-year Patriot Nate Solder, 29, a 6-foot-8 tower, is the top pending unrestricted free agent left tackle, or Gettleman might be able to get a promising tackle in the draft’s early second round, or late first via trade, such as Oklahoma’s Orlando Brown, Notre Dame’s Mike McGlinchey and Texas’ Connor Williams. Flowers could shift to right tackle — vacated by Hart’s release — or be a backup swing tackle.
Critically also, left guard Justin Pugh, center Weston Richburg and guard D.J. Fluker are unrestricted free agents, and backup center Brett Jones is a restricted free agent coming off a strong year. Pugh is the Giants’ best lineman but will cost a long-term deal, so will the Giants retain him or instead try and sign Gettleman’s former undrafted Panthers signing Andrew Norwell, a first-team All-Pro 2017 guard? Paying big at guard might mean not paying big at center, and vice versa. So opening the vault for Pugh or Norwell may send Richburg elsewhere while Jones re-signs as an RFA and becomes the full-time starter. Guard John Jerry is under contract two more years but could be cut cheaply.
The Giants should bring Fluker back. He’s a positive locker room presence, a hard worker and a punishing run blocker — a true “hog molly,” as Gettleman calls the big men up front. Notre Dame left guard Quenton Nelson also has skyrocketed up teams’ draft boards. Not saying the Giants will take him in round one; just pointing out he looks like a stud and teams are salivating since Notre Dame’s Zack Martin has dominated for the Cowboys after Dallas drafted him 16th overall in 2004.