Why the New York Giants Must Upgrade Offensive Line in 2015 NFL Draft

Oh boy, it's not a good sign if we're already talking about the draft (only 142 days to go!).

But let's not kid ourselves: The 2014 season is over for the Giants. What's left for New York to accomplish in these last three games, besides reaching two dozen players on injured reserve?

That means it's time to examine the current roster and project the positions New York will likely target in next year's draft, and the offensive line is one such position that needs a major overhaul.

Lack of Pro Bowl-Caliber Talent

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The Giants give new meaning to the term "offensive line"—watching them block is literally offensive.

Although New York's offensive line is fresh off its best outing of the year (4.7 yards per carry and no sacks allowed versus the Titans), this unit has been the Giants' worst for quite some time. Injuries have exposed a complete lack of depth each of the last two seasons.

From tackle to tackle, the Giants haven't fielded a player who even approaches Pro Bowl caliber. In fact, the last New York O-lineman to earn a Pro Bowl was right guard Chris Snee in 2012.

Snee was the Giants' offensive line struggles personified. Once a strong and imposing road grader, New Yorkers watched his skills deteriorate before their very eyes. Already past his prime when he last made a Pro Bowl, Snee played just three games during an injury-plagued 2013 season.

Then, the Giants were caught with their pants down when Snee retired right before training camp started this past summer.

Disaster would follow.

The Offensive Line Has Been Neglected at the Draft for Years

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Chris Snee was so good because he was a major investment. The Giants drafted him out of Boston College in the second round of the 2004 draft, right after they made the trade for quarterback Eli Manning.

Snee was an Ernie Accorsi pick. Since Jerry Reese took over as general manager, the Giants have seemed less interested in protecting Manning. Before Justin Pugh was picked in 2013, Reese had spent just one early-round draft pick on an offensive lineman: a second-rounder on Will Beatty in 2009.

The other five offensive linemen selected by Reese during that span—Adam Koets (Round 6, 2007), Mitch Petrus (Rd. 5, '10), James Brewer (Rd. 4, '11), Brandon Mosley (Rd. 4, '12) and Matt McCants (Rd. 6, '12)—have combined to start only eight games for the Giants.

How is the offensive line supposed to maintain its stability if the team fails to infuse the unit with young talent?

In Reese's defense, he did seem to catch on by the time 2013 rolled around. After spending a first-rounder on Pugh, Reese used a second-round pick to reinforce Manning's pocket with Colorado State product Weston Richburg.

But, it takes time for young blockers to develop. This season and the last are lost; we'll see if Manning sticks around long enough to see either Pugh or Richburg reach their respective primes.

The Giants Have Continually Failed to Add Quality Free Agents to OL

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What the Giants have failed to draft, they've yet to make up for in free agency.

Let's go back to 2010: New York had a dominant offensive line, as running backs Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs combined for more than 2,000 rushing yards and Eli Manning was sacked a career-low 16 times (not including 13 sacks in nine games played in 2004, Manning's rookie year). The following offseason, the Giants released center Shaun O'Hara and guard Rich Seubert.

The shocking cuts were only the beginning of New York's devaluation of the offensive line.

Manning was able to mask the deficiency for one season, thanks to an uncanny knack for comebacks and two reliable personal protectors in Bradshaw and Jacobs. The 9-7 Giants won the Super Bowl that season, despite a subpar offensive line.

David Baas was the first embarrassing free-agent acquisition. Signed to replace O'Hara at center, Baas limped through three terrible seasons before the Giants finally cut their losses this past summer.

The free agents brought in to bolster the O-line before this season were laughable. Geoff Schwartz was healthy for just two games, Charles Brown was cut as soon as the Giants realized how terrible he is and John Jerry has been a complete joke at right guard all season.

Potential Targets

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Here are some potential first-round talents for New York to take a look at in next spring's draft:

• T Brandon Scherff, Iowa: A lot can happen between now and the draft, but Scherff (6'5", 320) is a guy some are already talking about going first overall, per B/R's Matt Miller. The Hawkeye is one of the strongest players in all of college football.
• T Andrus Peat, Stanford: Cardinal head coach David Shaw did not mince words when speaking of Peat (6'7", 312), comparing him to NFL Hall of Famer Jonathan Ogden. That type of praise demands a closer look.
• T T.J. Clemmings, Pitt: A real riser in this year's draft, Clemmings (6'5", 305) is technically sound and athletic enough to be a great left tackle in the pros. This Panther could start right away in New York.
• G A.J. Cann, South Carolina: If the Giants choose to bolster the interior O-line, Cann (6'3", 311) might be their man. An imperfect yet workable prospect, the Gamecock is at least a physical and aggressive blocker that welcomes contact.
• C Cameron Erving, Florida State: New York may already have its center of the future in Weston Richburg, but Erving offers some versatility. The Seminole transitioned from the defensive side of the ball to play both tackle and center in college.

Kevin Boilard writes about the New York Giants at Bleacher Report.