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Giants Considering Adding Former Top Pick Jake Long

Free agent offensive tackle Jake Long is meeting with the Giants on Wednesday, multiple sources have reported.

The ex-Dolphin and Ram visited the Giants in the wake of left tackle Will Beatty’s torn pectoral in May, but was not signed. Now, with Giants veterans arriving for training camp in less than 24 hours, the team is revisiting the idea of bringing aboard the former first overall pick.

Long was a standout at the University of Michigan, and was selected first overall by the Dolphins in the 2008 NFL Draft. He made the Pro Bowl in each of his first four seasons, even earning First-Team All-Pro honors in 2010.

Unfortunately, Long has since dealt with numerous injuries, missing 14 regular season games over the past three seasons. More concerning is the fact that a torn right ACL ended his season in both 2013 and 2014.

Free agent offensive tackle Jake Long visited the Giants on Wednesday (FoxSports.com).

Free agent offensive tackle Jake Long visited the Giants on Wednesday (FoxSports.com).

With Long still recovering from last year’s ACL surgery, the Giants are likely hosting the 6-7, 322-pounder to see where he’s at in his rehab, and determine if he’ll be able to practice soon.

But if the Giants think he can participate right away, he could give some clarity to the Giants’ muddled offensive line.

With rookie first-rounder Ereck Flowers and veteran Marshall Newhouse currently projected to start at tackle, Long could find himself square in the mix for a starting job.

He does have a lengthy injury history, but if healthy, he could provide an upgrade over the inexperienced Flowers or the underwhelming Newhouse.

As I profiled in my breakdown of the Giants’ offensive line last week, the Giants are left pretty thin at tackle without Beatty, so at the very least Long could provide depth. Plus, given his injury history and declining on-field play, he probably wouldn’t cost the Giants much more than the veteran’s minimum.

However, Ralph Vacchiano of the Daily News reports Long joining the Giants is not imminent.

httpss://twitter.com/RVacchianoNYDN/status/626471513382895616

The Giants are not the only team showing interest in Long. The tackle-needy Falcons had Long in for a visit on Tuesday, and Long will leave the Giants Wednesday night in order to visit the Denver Broncos.

With the Giants’ first practice set for Friday, it will be interesting to see how the offensive line looks, whether or not Long is in tow.

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