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Jaxson Dart #6 of the New York Giants throws a pass against the Dallas Cowboys during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium.
The New York Giants face several pitfalls entering the 2026 offseason, and not many resources to work with.
Before any cuts or restructures, the Giants have roughly $7 million in cap space to work with, according to Over the Cap, and are missing a third-round pick thanks to last year’s trade-up that landed quarterback Jaxson Dart.
Regardless of what New York is working with, they have to make sure they do what is necessary to reload their offensive line, according to Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox, as the team’s worst-case scenario would be failing to address it this offseason.
“New York’s line took a positive step in 2025, finishing the season ranked ninth overall by Pro Football Focus. However, the Giants could use upgrades at left guard and center, and they could potentially lose right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor, who is an impending free agent,” wrote Knox.
How can the Giants avoid taking a step back from their top-10 offensive line?
How the Giants Can Address Their Offensive Line
When it comes to Dart’s development, entering his second year in the league, the New York Giants would be wise to keep him upright and healthy, which means holding their offensive line to a high standard.
Dart was evaluated for a concussion five times out of his first 10 career games, although that could mostly be attributed to his reckless running style.
The first order of business in New York should be trying to retain right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor, who, after two solid years with the Giants, is expected to test free agency.
Spotrac projects the veteran tackle to land a two-year, $17.3 million deal in March, a palatable contract that the Giants should be able to give him if they move some money around.
Next is replacing the interior of the offensive line, including guard Greg Van Roten and center John Michael Schmitz.
Van Roten is set to be a free agent as well, but at age 35, New York can’t count on him to maintain the same level of steady play he displayed this past season.
A wide receiver at No. 5 overall would be nice, but a player like Miami’s Francis Mauigoa may prove to be a necessity at that spot. He could potentially make the switch from tackle to guard as he makes the jump to the pros.
As for Schmitz, his play has left a lot to be desired since the Giants drafted him 57th overall in the 2023 NFL Draft, and there may be a solution for New York in free agency in a former John Harbaugh player.
Giants Urged to Target Tyler Linderbaum in Free Agency
Adding Baltimore Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum would be a homerun addition to their offensive line, anchoring the middle of the trenches with a three-time Pro Bowler.
The financials would be messy, and the Giants would have to make sacrifices in other spots of the roster to land him, but according to SNY’s Connor Hughes, they’re already doing their due diligence.
“Sources I touched base with said to expect this (pursuing Linderbaum) to happen, along with several other Ravens. It’s commonplace in the NFL for a new coach to bring a handful of guys with him,” wrote Hughes in a Giants Q&A.
“The best coaches have a message they preach to a team, but the best teams have players who take that message and carry it through the locker room. They set the standard others follow.”
If the Giants can bring back Eluemunor, sign Linderbaum, and draft Mauigoa with their first-round pick, they may have one of the most solid offensive lines in football, factoring in All-Pro caliber left tackle Andrew Thomas.
Doing so may mean parting ways with wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson in free agency, but a projected offensive line of the aforementioned players should leave Giants fans feeling good about their 2026 prospects.
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