Latest news with #GregVanRoten
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
New York Giants again urged to sign 5-time Pro Bowl free agent to bolster biggest need
New York Giants again urged to sign 5-time Pro Bowl free agent to bolster biggest need The New York Giants were one of the more aggressive teams throughout the offseason, but there are still some question marks facing the roster. Most notably, the Giants have some legitimate concerns regarding the right guard position, where they brought back veteran Greg Van Roten to compete for the starting role. It's also expected that embattled former first-round pick Evan Neal will slide inside from the right tackle spot, while the Giants used a fifth-round pick on Purdue's Marcus Mbow. Despite the competition, there's still room for another body to provide some hope that the right guard spot won't be a major liability going into a crucial 2026 campaign. That's why Brandon Austin of Pro Football Sports Network suggested the Giants look to free-agent guard Brandon Scherff as a final offseason move. Outside of left tackle Andrew Thomas and center John Michael Schmitz Jr., every other spot on the offensive line is a question mark, with right guard being especially shaky. Greg Van Roten is currently projected to start, but the Giants would be wise to explore veteran upgrades. Scherff, though past his prime at 33, remains one of the most reliable pass-blocking guards available. He didn't allow a single sack over 592 pass-blocking snaps last season, a mark surpassed only by Trey Smith among all guards. While his last Pro Bowl came in 2021, Scherff still brings steady, veteran play that could immediately raise the floor of New York's offensive line. An All-Pro First Team selection in 2020 and five-time Pro Bowler, Scherff is one of the top options for teams who need more help along the offensive line. The 33-year-old hasn't missed a game in any of the last three seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Giants don't have a ton of money to spend in free agency. Even after restructuring some contracts following the 2025 NFL draft, New York has roughly $5.95 million in available cap space, per Over The Cap, ranking as the third-lowest figure in the NFL. Only the Atlanta Falcons ($5 million) and Buffalo Bills ($1.69 million) have less cap space. Meanwhile, Spotrac projected Scherff to be in line for a one-year deal worth roughly $6.7 million at the beginning of the offseason. Whether the Giants would have to pay that much at this point in the offseason is unclear, but it would mean more money would have to be allocated. Even at 33 years old, Scherff would certainly be an upgrade over what the Giants currently have at the right guard spot, which should be considered the team's biggest question mark going into a make-or-break season. This is the second time PFN has urged the Giants to sign Scherff.
USA Today
25-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
New York Giants urged to sign this veteran offensive lineman
New York Giants urged to sign this veteran offensive lineman New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen had another busy offseason. He took measures to fill the many holes on his roster through free agency and the 2025 NFL draft. One particular unit that has vexed Schoen, however, is the offensive line. He still doesn't have the five of his dreams. This offseason, Schoen whiffed on his attempt to reel in a quality veteran guard (Will Fries, Aaron Banks) and was relegated to re-signing 35-year-old Greg Van Roten. Schoen did land Purdue's Marcus Mbow in the draft, a player who could eventually be a starter, but for the moment the line is still not where the Giants want it to be. The folks at Pro Football Network are suggesting the Giants take a flyer on 33-year-old Brandon Scherff, the five-time Pro Bowler who the Jacksonville Jaguars did not re-sign. Late free agency doesn't bring many quality starting options. Scherff might be an exception to that rule, though he's 33 and last made the Pro Bowl in 2021. Still, he didn't allow a single sack in 592 pass-blocking snaps this season. Among guards, only Trey Smith of the Chiefs (665) had more pass-blocking snaps without allowing a sack. The Giants could use that level of reliability, as Greg Van Roten is the team's current projected starting right guard. The Giants' salary cap situation is tight at the moment. Per Spotrac, they have a Top 51 cap space number of approximately $6.3 million and have yet to sign three top draft picks -- Jaxson Dart, Darius Alexander, and Cam Skattebo -- who will eat up most of that free cap space.
USA Today
03-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
New York Giants among teams who are 'lurking' in the guard market
New York Giants among teams who are 'lurking' in the guard market The New York Giants will enter free agency looking to address multiple positions. Most notably, they need a starting quarterback and cornerback, which will command most of their attention. However, other important needs can not be ignored. One of those comes at right guard, which is expected to be vacated once veteran Greg Van Roten hits free agency. "Right guard is a spot that's open, and we'll talk about is the answer somebody on the roster or do we need to look outside for that," Schoen said at the 2025 NFL Combine. The Giants remain reluctant to move Evan Neal inside to guard and even if they did, there are no assurances he'd be of starting quality. For that reason, Schoen and the team are already "lurking" around the free agent guard market, reports Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. Guards dominated free agency last year and will do well once again. The Giants, Cardinals and Seahawks are lurking in this market, too. Fowler mentions Drew Dalman (Chicago Bears), Aaron Banks (San Francisco 49ers), and Will Fries (Indianapolis Colts) as names to watch and expects them all to draw sizable contracts. Although Schoen left the door open for an internal solution, it's a near-certainty that the Giants will sign one of the top guards on the free agent market.
