Shane Lemieux, IOL
Height: 6-foot-4 | Weight: 310 pounds
2022 Stats: One game played, one game started
Allow me to introduce you to a player that, as a draft prospect, I was significantly higher on than most people were in Shane Lemieux out of Oregon. Lemieux is a nasty offensive lineman that thrives on being powerful and aggressive in the run game. Pass protection was never his strong suit in Oregon, and the only time that we saw him play significant snaps in the NFL (in 2020), it was still an issue for him.
With a few offseasons under his belt now, the expectation should be for him to be improved in protection if he can stay healthy. While he’s not the most athletic offensive lineman on the roster, he’s agile enough to operate in space in Brian Daboll and Mike Kafka’s offense in the wide zone and pin-pull game.
Best Case Scenario
Assuming Lemieux is healthy, this could be the year he finally solidifies himself as a quality starter on the offensive line. His skill set is complementary to the rest of the line, and one area where Lemieux has always been strong is helping on double teams, which could even help Evan Neal find more success consistently if he works at right guard.
The interior offensive line in East Rutherford isn’t one I’m confident in right now, but if Lemieux finds himself in the starting group, it will make me feel better about the group.
Worst Case Scenario
Lemieux is still young at just 26 years old, but he’s dealt with injuries ever since making it to the NFL. It’s possible that these injuries could be piling up and limiting just how effective he can be for the Giants.
Even if there are no long-term or lingering issues for Lemieux, the best ability is availability, and he simply hasn’t been available.
What to Expect in 2023
Lemieux’s injury history is a cause for concern. Still, if he is healthy for 2023 and hasn’t lost any ability, he should be in the conversation for a starting role or first man to rotate in on the line's interior.
It’s an odd spot for the Giants and Lemieux to be in for 2023, where he’s not a rookie but not a veteran, and his injuries have kept him so limited that he still hasn’t played a full season yet.
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