New York Giants general manager Jerry Reese has already made some big moves in free agency to bolster the Giants defense heading into the 2016 season, and while defense is clearly the priority this offseason, Reese and the Giants front office are not forgetting about the offensive side of the ball.
The Giants finished the 2015 season with the sixth-highest scoring offense in the league, and have since named offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo their next head coach. New York's franchise quarterback Eli Manning is coming off arguably his best statistical season of his career, and the Giants front office knows how important keeping Manning upright is to its success next season.
The Giants used their first round pick to select offensive tackle Ereck Flowers in the 2015 NFL Draft, and while Flowers proved himself a legitimate starting offensive tackle his rookie season, the Giants are still in need of upgrades on their offensive line. They released offensive lineman Will Beatty and Geoff Schwartz back in February, and are looking to fill holes this offseason whether through free agency or the upcoming 2016 NFL Draft.
One name to keep an eye out for is free agent offensive tackle Donald Penn, as the Giants reportedly have interest in him and are scheduled to host a visit with the former Raiders offensive lineman Tuesday. Penn is currently in a contract stalemate with the Raiders front office, but has said that his plan is to be a Raider.
Obviously contract terms are a huge factor as Penn heads into his 11th season in the league, and with offensive tackles in such a high demand it wouldn't be surprising to see the former Raiders offensive lineman land a large new contract with another franchise. The Giants are keeping their options open, as they have already met with offensive tackle Russell Okung and are reportedly still open to bringing in the former Seahawks offensive tackle.
The Giants don't want to overpay in landing a starting offensive tackle in free agency, and if they can't agree to terms with either Okung or Penn they could look to target an offensive tackle in the first round of the draft. Notre Dame's Ronnie Stanley and Michigan State's Jack Conklin are considered the second and third best offensive tackles in the upcoming 2016 draft class and are likely both on the Giants' draft board. If New York is unable to land a starting offensive tackle in free agency, don't be surprised if it goes for an offensive lineman in the first round of the draft for the second consecutive year.
