Where would you have drafted an offensive lineman for the New York Giants?

In the wake of the 2024 NFL Draft, a question about what the New York Giants did — or more precisely, didn’t do — keeps coming up.

“Why didn’t the Giants draft any offensive linemen?”

After all, the Giants surrendered an atrocious, league-worst, 85 sacks last season. That’s almost the exact number they gave up over the 2021 and 2022 seasons, when no one thought they had a good offensive line to begin with.

So, why didn’t GM Joe Schoen prioritize the offensive line in the draft?

Let me flip that question on its head.

With the six picks the Giants had, where would you have selected an offensive lineman? Which player, or players, Schoen selected would you have been willing to pass on for an offensive lineman?

Let’s go round-by-round.

Round 1

The Giants chose LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers at No. 6. I am not buying the chatter that they would have traded up for Notre Dame offensive tackle Joe Alt, or even would have selected Alt at No. 6.

There were three other offensive linemen selected in the top half of Round 1 — tackle J.C. Latham of Alabama, tackle Olu Fashanu of Penn State, tackle Taliese Fuaga of Oregon State.

Would you have chosen one of those players over Nabers, Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze, or even Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy? In the poll below, I will offer you a choice between Nabers and the three offensive linemen.

Round 2

The Giants chose safety Tyler Nubin. The need was obvious, with the selection perhaps only surprising because it doesn’t necessarily fit the positional value portrait we have of how Schoen generally does business.

Below, are the offensive tackles chosen between picks 47 and 70, when the Giants chose in Round 3.

Round 3

The Giants chose cornerback Andru Phillips at No. 70. Cornerback was an obvious need, with the only reservation about this pick being that Phillips seems more like a slot cornerback than the outside cornerback the Giants seem to need.

Below, some of the offensive line options the Giants had at this spot.

Round 4

The Giants took tight end Theo Johnson at No. 107, filling a need for a versatile, pass-catching tight end with Darren Waller likely to retire.

Below, some of the offensive linemen who could have been selected before the Giants’ next pick at No. 166.

Round 5

The Giants selected running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. at pick No. 166, a choice that has been widely praised.

Below, some of the offensive line options available.

Round 6

The Giants selected linebacker Darius Muasau with their final pick. That was a bit of a surprise considering no offensive or defensive linemen had been taken by the Giants to that point.

Below, some of the drafted linemen the Giants passed on.

Final thoughts

Yes, I was surprised the Giants did not add to the offensive line in the draft. I mocked Christian Mahogany to the Giants a number of times, and probably would have taken him in Round 6. Then again, I knew nothing about Darius Muasau and those who have studied him post-draft have been impressed. The Giants also had C.J. Hanson of Holy Cross in for a visit during their local Pro Day.

The other apparent sweet spot, to me, looks in might have been in Rounds 3 or 4. Would you have give up Andru Phillips or Theo Johnson for offensive line help?