There has been plenty of talk regarding the New York Giants and drafting an offensive tackle, but they still have a major void at left guard, despite signing Max Garcia, formerly of the Arizona Cardinals. Garcia is a serviceable guard with starting experience, but the Giants would be smart to invest a bit more capital to replace Will Hernandez.
General manager Joe Schoen has already locked up the right guard spot with Mark Glowinski, formerly of the Indianapolis Colts, but they could develop a nice pairing with Andrew Thomas to finally help him reach his potential. Thomas was a borderline Pro Bowl-caliber left tackle last season, but giving him a quality left guard might propel him to an All-Pro level quickly.
It is possible the Giants look to the 2022 NFL draft to find their new left guard, and Kenyon Green out of Texas A&M might be a perfect Day 2 snag. Green was once projected as one of the top tackles in the draft class, but his versatility ultimately dampened his stock a bit, showcasing his best position is left guard.
Last season, Green recorded 408 total snaps at left guard, 106 at right guard, and 142 at right tackle. Green possesses unparalleled explosiveness and power, making him a perfect run-blocking OG to pair with Thomas.
NFL.com raved about Green’s ability as a run-blocker, noting his explosive power:
Guard prospect with NFL-ready frame who plays with an impressive level of consistency as a run blocker. Green moves defenders from Point A to Boint B against their will, using hand technique and road-grading leg drive. He possesses adequate foot quickness to operate in a variety of run schemes, but needs to eliminate his tendency to grab when his opponent is slipping away from the block. He has pop and anchor in pass protection, but lacks recognition and mirror technique needed to be at his best against athletic interior rushers. While green has some areas to improve, his run blocking can be dominant, which gives him a chance to become a good starter very quickly.There will be a minor learning curve for Green in terms of pass blocking sets, given one of his cons is wide hand usage. However, he has all the tangible traits to be a phenomenal interior lineman. Green posted underwhelming athleticism scores during the NFL Combine, but his weight, arm length, and hand size were all above average. There’s also value in being a versatile lineman, given his experience at tackle and both guard spots. If the Giants wanted to move him around at some point in time, they could do it knowing he has a foundation built at each position. If Green is available with the 36th overall pick, the Giants could rebuild their offensive line entirely with young talent and a few experienced players mixed in.
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