Shoring up the offensive line is the biggest objective for the New York Giants heading into the 2024 season.
With question marks surrounding embattled third-year right tackle Evan Neal, who started training camp on the PUP list, the Giants already have had to shuffle around the starting five.
Veteran Jermaine Eluemunor has taken the first-team reps at right tackle while Jon Runyan shifted to left guard. The recently signed Greg Van Roten has been working at right guard in his few days with the team.
Even so, Matt Holder of Bleacher Report believes the Giants should look into signing free-agent offensive tackle Cam Erving.
"Evan Neal was placed on the PUP list to begin training camp, and while Jermaine Eluemunor can fill in at right tackle, he was taking snaps at left guard during the team's spring practices," Holder wrote. "So, the Giants could use a veteran offensive lineman like Erving, who can line up at several different spots, just in case Neal isn't ready to go by the season opener."
While no timeline was officially given for Neal's return, head coach Brian Daboll gave a troubling quote about his potential availability for Week 1.
Erving, a former first-round pick with the Cleveland Browns in 2015, has struggled to make good on that draft capital. He's bounced around the league with five different teams since being drafted and has double-digit starts in just two seasons — none since 2018.
Providing stout protection for quarterback Daniel Jones is the top priority. When the Giants achieve that goal, they get the results they did 2022. When they don't, they wind up with the No. 6 overall pick.
Signing Erving probably wouldn't have much of an impact, but it does signal how vital the offensive line is for the Giants this season.
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