New York Giants Positional Breakdown: Offensive Line

Throughout the next several weeks, I’ll be breaking down the Giants’ roster, position by position. We’ll take a look at what each player brings to the table, their chances of making the roster and, if applicable, their roles on the 2015 team. Next, we’ll take a look at the offensive line.

Ereck Flowers

Roster odds: 100%

The Giants drafted Flowers in the first round less than three months ago, but the rookie is being called into action quicker than the Giants probably hoped. Incumbent left tackle Will Beatty tore his pectoral muscle while working out back in May, and Flowers is ticketed to take over in his absence. The 6-6, 329-pounder out of Miami has huge upside, but most draftniks view him as a project. Unless plans change, he’ll be tasked with protecting Eli Manning’s blindside. Flowers should have a bright future with Big Blue, but needs work with pass protection and discipline, as he was flagged seven times last year at The U. Expect some bumps in the road.

Giants first-round pick Ereck Flowers with GM Jerry Reese and head coach Tom Coughlin (Giants.com).

Justin Pugh

Roster odds: 100%

Through two seasons in the pros, Pugh has been only serviceable as the Giants’ right tackle. In 14 games last year, he allowed six sacks. The Giants are planning to move Pugh to left guard, which is probably where he’s best suited. Pugh does not have the ideal arm length for an NFL tackle, plus Beatty and Flowers are slated to bookend the Giants’ offensive line once Beatty returns.

Weston Richburg

Roster odds: 100%

Richburg started 15 games at left guard as a rookie last year, where he did not perform well. However, Richburg excelled as a center at Colorado State, and the Giants are wisely having him make the move to center this upcoming season. Technically, he’ll have to beat Brett Jones and Dallas Reynolds for the starting job, but it’s Richburg’s job to lose.

Geoff Schwartz

Roster odds: 100%

Schwartz’s first year as a Giant was one to forget, as he spent the first 11 weeks on injured reserve/designated for return, and then spent the final three weeks on injured reserve with a separate injury. He played in just two games, starting both at right tackle. He enjoyed a nice 2013 season as the Chiefs’ right guard, and it looks like that’s where he’ll play for the Giants in 2015.

Marshall Newhouse

Roster odds: 100%

Newhouse was added as a free agent, and was likely signed to be a backup. Unfortunately, Beatty’s injury has shuffled the Giants’ o-line significantly, and it appears Newhouse is in line to start at right tackle while Beatty recovers. Newhouse spent last season as the Bengals’ swing tackle, where he struggled mightily. He’s probably going to be a liability for the Giants, but unfortunately, they don’t have many better options to turn to.

Will Beatty

Roster odds: 100%*

It’s been a roller coaster ride for Beatty over the past couple years. After signing a five-year deal worth nearly $40 million, Beatty had a disastrous 2013 season, and many wondered if the deal was a waste of money. But playing under a new offensive coordinator, Beatty rebounded in 2014. He seemed poised to continue to improve in 2015, but he suffered a torn pectoral while working out in May, and will likely be sidelined until late October, at the earliest.

(Getty Images)

When Beatty returns, he should return to left tackle, moving rookie Flowers to the right side. Until then, Flowers will man the left with Newhouse likely to fill in on the right.

*Beatty probably won’t be on the active roster out of training camp, as he seems like a lock to be placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list. His roster spot isn’t in any danger.

John Jerry

Roster odds: 100%

Jerry very quietly started 16 games for the Giants last year, and was one of just three offensive linemen to do so. The others were Beatty (who will miss the beginning of the season) and J.D. Walton (who was not re-signed after last season). The Giants will hope Jerry doesn’t start 16 games this year, but he should have no problem carving out a role as the first guard off the bench. Pugh is adjusting to playing guard in the pros, and Schwartz had an injury-riddled 2014 season, so Jerry could still receive a lot of snaps.

Brett Jones

Roster odds: 75%

Jones will be one of the more interesting players to watch in training camp. The 23-year-old center was the CFL Rookie of the Year in 2013, and received CFL Offensive Lineman of the Year Honors last season. The Giants gave Jones a three-year deal, but the deal contains no guaranteed money. In other words, he’s no lock to make the 53-man. But with the Giants struggling for depth on the line along with Jones’ CFL pedigree, it sounds like anything but a disastrous preseason will result in him making the team.

Brandon Mosley

Roster odds: 65%

Mosley has made just one start in three seasons since being drafted out Auburn in 2012, but he continues to stick around mainly because of his versatility. While he has spent most of his career at right guard, the Giants also gave Mosley some snaps at right tackle during OTAs. Jerry and Newhouse are the top backups at guard and tackle, respectively. So even if Mosley makes the team, he probably won’t see too much action. Still, he has experience with the team, and could fill in in a pinch.

Dallas Reynolds

Roster odds: 55%

Reynolds spent last season as a deep reserve, playing just 32 snaps. He can play center and guard, but probably won’t play much unless more injuries strike. I still expect him to make the team, though.

Bobby Hart

Roster odds: 55%

Hart was a seventh-round selection out of Florida State back in April, and will have to earn his roster spot. He’s already far down on the depth chart, and his speed and athleticism leaves much to be desired. Working in his favor is his ability to play both guard and tackle, and his experience on both the left and right side. Not to mention he won’t turn 21 until August, so he could have time to grow. I think he just makes the roster, but if not, he might be a good practice squad guy.

Eric Herman

Roster odds: 45%

Despite having a few cups of coffee with the Giants, Herman has yet to appear in an NFL game. I honestly see Herman on the same level as Reynolds and Hart, and it wouldn’t surprise me to see Herman make it over one of those guys. But if I have to pick, I think the Giants would go with Reynolds for his (albeit limited) experience, and Hart for his youth.

Adam Gettis

Roster odds: 35%

Since being drafted in the fifth round of the 2012 NFL Draft, Gettis has only appeared in 13 games, all coming in 2013 with Washington. On most teams, Gettis would be a 53-man long shot. On the Giants, he’s still a longshot, but given the Giants’ lack of depth, he could turn a few heads in the preseason and be given a chance.

Sean Donnelly

Roster odds: 15%

Donnelly is a dark horse name to watch. The Giants definitely value him, as he was given a $15,000 signing bonus when he signed as undrafted free agent out of Tulane, the highest signing bonus among Giants UDFAs. He was also guaranteed $15,000 in addition to that, suggesting the Giants saw him as a priority free agent. He certainly has the size for the pros (6-7, 333), but he is a project. He may be best off honing his skills on the practice squad.

Michael Bamiro

Roster odds: 10%

Bamiro is a local guy (attended college at Stony Brook), but he’s going to have a tough time making the team, even with Beatty’s injury. He has the size (6-8, 340), but he’s a still project and probably not ready for the NFL yet. Could re-emerge on the practice squad even if he’s cut.

Emmett Cleary

Roster odds: 0%

Cleary has yet to play in an NFL game since going undrafted out of Boston College in 2013, and that doesn’t seem likely to change this year. Other than Tom Coughlin’s affinity for BC players, Cleary doesn’t have much else going for him.

Troy Kropog

Roster odds: 0%

In six seasons in the league, Kropog has played in just seven games, which should tell you all you need to know about the offensive tackle from Tulane. Kropog spent last year on Injured Reserve with a foot injury, and is already out for at least the first six games of the season, as he was placed on Reserve/PUP back in April. Even if he were healthy, he’d be a longshot.