With the 2026 NFL draft less than one month away, all 32 teams are preparing for an important time in the offseason. While the New York Giants have added talent through free agency, the roster still has some glaring weaknesses heading into the draft. They need a starting right guard.
New York has not reached a contract agreement with Greg Van Rotten. Knowing that, NFL draft analysts have suggested the team could take a guard in April. ESPN’s Matt Miller recently shared an article on teams’ needs for the NFL draft. Miller had high praise for Georgia Tech guard Keylan Rutledge. He believes Rutledge should be a top prospect for New York outside of the first round.
Additionally, he said Rutledge is “an elite run-game blocker and has upside in pass protection, making him a fixture at right or left guard.”
This Guard Should be a Target for the New York Giants
New York Must Continue to Invest in the Offensive Line
Over the last decade, the Giants have struggled to select offensive linemen with high draft capital; Ereck Flowers at ninth overall in 2015 and Evan Neal at seventh in 2022 come to mind. Despite those struggles, the team has hit on a stud lineman through the draft. While he is often overlooked, Andrew Thomas is one of the top left tackles in the league.
After missing significant time in 2024, Thomas bounced back and started 13 games in 2025. The team also re-signed right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor to a long-term deal. New York has their bookend tackles for years to come. In 2024, Pro Football Focus ranked the Giants’ offensive line 30th of 32 teams. They bounced back in 2025 and were ranked ninth. Quite the improvement that the team needs to build off of.
Who is Georgia Tech Guard Keylan Rutledge, and How Can He Fit With New York?
Coming out of high school in Carnesville, Georgia, Keylan Rutledge was a three-star recruit. He started his career at Middle Tennessee State. After two seasons with the Blue Raiders, Rutledge transferred to Georgia Tech. With the Yellowjackets, he started 13 games in 2024 and 2025. Draft analysts around the NFL have Rutledge projected as a second or third-round pick in 2026.
During his senior campaign in 2025 with Georgia Tech, Rutledge did not allow a single sack. Additionally, he allowed just five total pressures the entire year. ESPN’s Matt Miller believes Rutledge would be a perfect fit for what the New York Giants want to accomplish in 2025. If he adjusted quickly to the league, Rutledge could be a day-one starter for the Giants.
The team wants to protect Jaxson Dart and add a player who is effective in the run game. Matt Miller said Rutledge is an “elite run game blocker” who has upside in his pass-pro skills. If the team fails to reach an agreement with Greg Van Rotten, the Giants need to draft a guard in April. Matt Miller believes Keylan Rutledge out of Georgia Tech is the perfect prospect.