The New York Giants’ offensive line has made mild progress under general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll, but it’s still not even in the same stratosphere as Big Blue’s last Super Bowl champion O-line.
The Giants’ current starting five would likely be Andrew Thomas, Jon Runyan Jr., John Michael Schmitz, Greg Van Roten, and Jermaine Eluemunor, left to right. A serviceable and versatile group, but one with plenty of room for improvement, too.
Barring an extension, Eluemunor is also playing out the final year of his contract in New York, leaving a major vacancy at right tackle if the two parties elect not to work out a new deal. And even if Schoen did extend Eluemunor, the veteran could always move inside and shore up the guard position.
For those reasons, Pro Football Network has predicted that the Giants will spend their first-round pick on a new right tackle in each of their past two 2026 mock drafts on July 5 and July 12.
Although there was a difference of opinion on which offensive tackle prospect the G-Men should take next April.
Kadyn Proctor Billed as New Potential Jaxson Dart Protector With Size & Athleticism
In the July 5 mock draft, PFSN analyst Max Dorsey sends Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor to New York.
Reasoning: “The New York Giants seem to think they have solved their quarterback problem in the form of Jaxson Dart. If the former Ole Miss QB succeeds in New York, the Giants will have to invest in protecting him, and they do so here in the form of Kadyn Proctor.”
“Proctor is a massive human at 6’7″ and 350 pounds,” Dorsey continued. “While the Giants have their left tackle position set with Andrew Thomas, Proctor is versatile enough to slide over to the right side.”
“Even with his massive size, Proctor is a great athlete and would fill a much-needed hole on the Giants’ offensive line,” he concluded.
Proctor has built a college resume worthy of being the first OT off the board in 2026, but there is one relatively obvious concern about Jalen Milroe’s former blocker, even if it’s a bit irrational.
Considering his Alabama background, the fact that he’d have to switch from left tackle to right, and his athletic scouting report, Proctor is eerily similar to Giants draft bust Evan Neal. At least, on paper.
That could turn off Schoen and Daboll — assuming they survive the 2025 season — leading to option No. 2.
Miami’s Francis Mauigoa Could Be More ‘Natural’ Fit for Giants at Right Tackle
The July 12 mock draft was written by Mark Stolte, and he recognized that the Giants may be looking for the best fit at right tackle, rather than the best offensive tackle overall.
“With the assumption that Arch Manning won’t declare for the 2026 NFL Draft, I can’t justify taking any of the quarterbacks [high in round one], especially with the New York Giants taking Jaxson Dart in the first round just a few months ago,” Stolte explained.
Continuing: “With that being said, the franchise certainly doesn’t need another edge rusher. That’s the one position they are loaded at.”
“This means the choice here for the Giants is my top right tackle, Francis Mauigoa,” the PFSN analyst revealed.
“Mauigoa is 6’6″ 315 pounds, and moves really well,” Stolte went on, making his case for the prediction. “While I have Proctor slightly higher on my board, Mauigoa fits the Giants better as he is a natural right tackle who will go opposite of Andrew Thomas. He allowed just one sack and ranked 51st among 241 offensive tackles in pressures allowed per snap, according to TruMedia.”
There Are 3 Scenarios Where the Giants Would Spend Their 2026 First-Rounder on a New Right Tackle
Either Proctor or Mauigoa joining the Giants would mean one of three things.
One, the team is moving on from Eluemunor in 2026. Two, Eluemunor is willing to switch back to guard, and prospects like Marcus Mbow and Jake Kubas fail to impress enough to steal a starting role. And three, the Giants end up looking to get themselves out of the Thomas deal after another injury-ruined season.
Thomas is under contract through the end of the 2029 season. However, the Giants could shed approximately $17.253 million by trading their franchise left tackle after June 1 next offseason, or they could plan to release him in 2027, saving $18.565 million before June 1 or $19.4 million after it.
The hope is that Thomas returns to both good health and form, making options one and two the more likely scenarios.
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