The New York Giants were league average on the offensive line in 2025, ranked No. 15 by Pro Football and Sports Network using their “Impact Score” grading system. Can the Giants build on that and be better, or will they slide backwards and be held back by a problematic offensive line?
New head coach John Harbaugh replaced starting right guard Greg Van Roten with No. 10 overall pick Sisi Mauigoa. The Giants also added Daniel Faalele, Lucas Patrick and sixth-round pick J.C. Davis, while losing inerior
offensive line backup Austin Schlottmann in free agency.
Harbaugh also replaced popular offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo with Mike Bloomgren. Bloomgren is a veteran coach, but 2025 with the Cleveland Browns was his only experience as an NFL offensive line coach. We have to wait and see how that works out.
Let’s examine whether or not the line will be better in 2026.
Key additions: Sisi Mauigoa, Daniel Faalele, Lucas Patrick, J.C. Davis
Key losses: Greg Van Roten, Austin Schlottmann
The roster: Bryan Hudson, John Michael Schmitz, Jake Kubas, Jon Runyan, J.C. Davis, Jermaine Eluemunor, Josh Ezeudu, Daniel Faalele, Marcus Mbow, Evan Neal, Lucas Patrick, Ryan Schernecke, Aaron Stinnie, Reid Holskey, Andrew Thomas
*** Rookies are in bold.
Why they could be better
Left tackle Andrew Thomas is clearly the offensive line’s best player. Thomas is not rehabbing from Lisfranc surgery this offseason, and provided he does not suffer another injury, should be available from Week 1. The more healthy games the Giants get from Thomas, the better.
The drafting of Sisi Mauigoa to play right guard should give the Giants an upgrade over veteran Greg Van Roten. Van Roten played well enough the past two seasons, but Mauigoa should at least give the Giants a power run-blocking presence they have not had.
Center John Michael Schmitz has shown at least modest improvement in each of his first three NFL seasons. Perhaps that continues in the final season of his rookie contract.
The depth should be better. The signing of Lucas Patrick cancels out the loss of Austin Schlottmann. The Giants added Daniel Faalele, an every-game starter with the Baltimore Ravens the past two seasons, and drafted a player who may have four-position versatility in J.C. Davis. Marcus Mbow showed the ability to be the swing tackle last season, and should be better with a year of experience.
Why they could be worse
Thomas’s health, Mauigoa’s transition to the NFL and to guard, and Bloomgren’s work replacing Bricillo, will be the major question marks.
The verdict
The Giants should be at least as good as they were last season, or better. There are, though, things that can go wrong. The biggest key is the health of Thomas, who has played just one full season in the past five years.
