Loading ...The New York Giants and General Manager Jerry Reese have a lot of decisions to make about their offensive line this offseason. Both Will Beatty and Kevin Boothe are free agents, Sean Locklear is also a free agent and trying to work back from a devastating injury, and a decision needs to be made on David Diehl, who will command a $4.1 million base salary in 2013. The common feeling is that the team will look to the NFL Draft to fill some of their holes, and one target may be Oklahoma Sooners offensive tackle Lane Johnson.
The 6'6'', 303 lbs. lineman has impressed most onlookers, and is considered by many to be one of, if not the best tackle available in the 2013 NFL Draft. If nothing else, he is projected to go in the first-round come April, and may be available when the Giants select at #19.
Matt Miller of NFL Draft Scout, who is in Mobile, Alabama covering the Senior Bowl, was among those impressed with Johnson. But he wasn't the only one. Miller had one of the Giants scouts in attendance remark "that's my left tackle" after watching Johnson practice.
That may or may not give an indication into what the Giants are focusing on as the draft approaches, but it speaks volumes about Johnson and how he's viewed by those who are paid to know. And with Beatty likely to receive some significant free agent offers, Johnson could potentially be the answer at either left tackle or, in the event Locklear isn't re-signed and Diehl is released/benched, right tackle.
Obviously, a lot will change as free agency begins and progresses, but it's clear that at least one Giants scout has his eye on Johnson.
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I don’t think there’s anyway he’s the top tackle, not with Luke Joeckel in this draft. I also doubt he will go in the first, with guys like Joeckel, Eric Fisher, and D.J. Fluker probably all ahead of him on scouts’ lists. Would like him in the second, however, if he’s still available.
Most scouts have him ahead of Fluker and fighting with Fisher for the 2nd spot. Both are obviously behind Joeckel who many see as a once in a generation talent.
I would not mind drafting a Tackle in the first or second round either. Especially if we miss out on Beatty. I hope we are able to resign Locklear for a cheap price as he rehabs just in case we have an injury or if Brewer does not pan out. I think if we plan on drafting this kid..or another we should let go of Diehl. If we invest another high pick on a tackle (the others being Brewer and Mosely) then we should be paying a backup RT 4 million plus.
Dane Brugler ?@dpbrugler
This week could decide who my No. 2 OT is behind Joeckel, either Fisher or Lane Johnson. Both could be top 15 prospects #SeniorBowl
– CBS Sports which in my opinion is probably the best scouting site around
If I may, why do you consider CBS to be the best scouting site around?
Track record.
The Huddle Report. It’s not free, but it’s cheap. Drew Boylhart. Does a fantastic job with scouting reports. Has a great record.
Luke Joeckel should probably be the first pick in April. I’ve been saying that if he isn’t off the board by the fifth pick then the collective wisdom of the GMs in the NFL should be seriously questioned.
But I would probably take Johnson over Fluker (Johnson is a far better athlete) and would take him over Fisher because he has played far superior competition.
Eagle fans must be praying he drops to them
Peters and Joeckel at the tackles
Herremans and Mathis at the guards
Kelce at Center
That Oline would be stacked and they would have McCoy and a couple other talented backs in the backfield.
Dane Brugler ?@dpbrugler
#Oregon Kyle Long looks much much more comfortable inside. Lining up at LG now next to Fisher
- He’s one of the 2nd or 3rd tier OTs depending on who you ask. Also happens to be Howie’s son and Chris’s younger brother.
It would be oh-so-Machiavellian for the Giants to have encouraged their scout to open his mouth about Johnson to a reporter in order to send the message around the league that they don’t value Beatty all that much. I know they’re a smart organization but that would be fifth- or sixth-order tactical thinking that I suspect is beyond them. Assuming they didn’t “plant” that story, the scout is an idiot for having opened his big mouth.