Justin Pugh's Contract Option Picked Up by Giants

The New York Giants announced Tuesday they picked up Justin Pugh's option, keeping the offensive guard with the team through the 2017 season.   

According to Jordan Raanan of NJ Advance Media, Pugh's fifth-year option is projected to be a little over $8.8 million.

New York selected Pugh in the first round of the 2013 draft. Since then, he has started 44 games for the team.

Coming out of Syracuse, Pugh was considered an offensive tackle and played there through his first two years with the Giants. The arrival of rookie tackle Ereck Flowers necessitated a move inside, though.

"I'm embracing it," he said last May about transitioning to guard, per the New York Post's Paul Schwartz. "I want to be the best left guard I can be and help produce for this team. There are spots when I can help out a tackle. I know what it's like to be out on an island. My left tackle's gonna love playing next to me."

While Pugh spent the bulk of his time at guard in 2015, he filled in at left and right tackles as well. Despite constantly shifting along the line, his performance didn't suffer. Pro Football Focus graded him the ninth-best tackle (85.3) in the league last year, and the rating would've been good enough for 11th among all guards.

Between his versatility and consistency on the O-line, exercising Pugh's team option was likely an easy decision for the Giants. Newsday's Tom Rock noted Pugh will, however, be hitting free agency at a less than optimal time for the team:

After two somewhat disappointing years given his status as a former first-rounder, Pugh found a home at guard and looks to have a bright future ahead at the position.

Tackles tend to earn more in the NFL because teams value them more heavily on the open market. In that respect, a full-time move to guard would cost Pugh some money. According to Spotrac, the top-five OTs average to earn a little under $13 million in total cash next year, compared to $10.5 million for the top-five guards.

Still, Pugh is bound to cash in either way once he becomes a free agent in 2018.