New York Giants training camp preview: Offensive line

USA Today

8 hours ago

With the New York Giants' 2025 training camp only a month away, there are still plenty of questions to be answered. It is our duty to break down each unit on the roster before camp opens to provide a preview of what to expect.
The first unit we're covering is perhaps the most important: The offensive line.
Giants general manager Joe Schoen has done just about everything in his power to improve this group, but it is still stuck in neutral thanks to injuries and underperformance.
Coaching staff
Mike Kafka (offensive coordinator), Carmen Bricillo (unit coach), James Ferentz (assistant)
Bricillo runs the show, and the unit has gained some traction since his arrival since taking over last season. Still, there's been too much shuffling for the line to fully reach its potential. Much of that is out of Bricillo's hands, but he's done well with the things he can control.
Center
John Michael Schmitz, Austin Schlottmann, Jimmy Morrissey, Bryan Hudson
The Giants selected Schmitz in the second round of the 2023 NFL draft with the hopes that he could be their anchor for the next 8-10 years. So far, he's shown flashes, but there are still questions. He has missed games due to injury, and his overall grades have been marginal. He ranks in the middle of the pack among NFL centers according to Pro Football Focus (61.4), with his pass blocking grade being below average. The Giants hope he takes a leap this season. Perhaps having a veteran like quarterback Russell Wilson taking snaps from him will help elevate his game.
Left tackle
Andrew Thomas, James Hudson III, Stone Forsythe
When Thomas is healthy, he's an All-Pro-level talent. But the rub is, he hasn't been healthy the past two seasons. Hamstring and Lisfranc issues have led to him having played in just half of the Giants' last 34 games. That has led to Schoen going out and finding two veteran swingmen in Hudson and Forsythe. Thomas is expected to be ready for camp, but if he's not, the Giants have prepared themselves.
Right tackle
Jermaine Eluemunor, Marcus Mbow, Jaison Williams
Eluemunor will be pressed by the other tackles, but the job is clearly his to lose. The Giants love the rookie Mbow and will be trying to find him a home (he'll also see reps at guard). It won't be easy with all the veteran faces at both tackle and guard this summer. But, again, injuries have haunted this group for years, so it's better to have such quality depth to draw from.
Left guard
Jon Runyan Jr., Aaron Stinnie, Joshua Ezeudu
Runyan was going great until he injured his ankle in Week 14. But what was not known was that he played all year with a torn deltoid ligament. Both issues were addressed via surgery this offseason, so Runyan should be lining up with the ones in camp. Stinnie is a solid backup, but his strength is more as a spot starter and in-game relief option. The Giants haven't given up on Ezeudu, but he has to stay healthy to get much consideration for a roster spot.
Right guard
Greg Van Roten, Evan Neal, Jake Kubas
Schoen was in the market for a veteran free agent this offseason, but the price for the top-tier options was way out of his price range. So, he re-signed the 35-year-old Van Roten, who incidentally was the only Giant to play every offensive snap last season. Neal is being moved from tackle, where he failed as a high first-round pick. The team likes Kubas, so he will see plenty of snaps in camp and the preseason as well.
Overall
Health is the key. If they can get five steady starters, they'll naturally have a better chance to succeed. As stated, veteran leadership and confidence in the huddle will help raise the level of professionalism and performance of the offense.