The New York Giants have made significant strides to bolster their offensive line this offseason, but a lingering question remains: should they shore up the center position before training camp kicks off?
While the Giants boast solid depth across most of the roster—though another wide receiver wouldn't hurt—the center spot on an offensive line that's shown clear improvement over the past two seasons still raises eyebrows. ESPN's Aaron Schatz suggests New York could benefit from adding another center to provide insurance behind John Michael Schmitz.
Now that the Giants have plugged holes along the defensive front with signings like Shelby Harris and DJ Reader, there are no glaring gaps in the starting lineup. However, weaknesses persist, and Schmitz hasn't fully lived up to his second-round draft potential. Last season, he ranked 23rd among starting centers with a 94.1% pass block win rate and a concerning 27th with a 65.1% run block win rate. He allowed one sack and 14 total pressures in 2025, contributing to a Giants line that surrendered the seventh-most sacks in the NFL for the second straight year (48). While that's a marked improvement from the league-worst 85 sacks in 2023, it's still room for growth.
The Giants brought in veteran Lucas Patrick to back up Schmitz, but Patrick played only six games for the Bengals last season due to a calf injury and will be 33 years old this season—hardly a long-term solution. Adding quality depth behind Schmitz could be a smart move for a team eyeing consistency.
Veteran free agents still available include Graham Glasgow and Sam Mustipher. Glasgow helped the Lions reach the playoffs in both 2023 and 2024, including an NFC Championship appearance, while Mustipher earned a solid 74.3 pass-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus in 2025. Either could provide the experience and reliability the Giants need to solidify the pivot position.
As training camp approaches, the question isn't just about filling a roster spot—it's about ensuring the offensive line has the resilience to protect the quarterback and open lanes for the run game. For a team on the rise, every piece matters.