The offensive line was a major liability for the New York Giants for too long, but the much-maligned group has actually been one of the few bright spots for the team during a dismal 2025 season, largely thanks to a “steady presence” who is predicted to earn a “bigger payday” during 2026 NFL free agency.
It’s starting right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor, who is credited by Bradley Locker of Pro Football Focus as “a big reason” why the Giants‘ O-line ranks “fifth in PFF pass-blocking grade.”
Locker also cited Eluemunor’s individual numbers, all of which are at least solid. The 30-year-old’s “73.2 PFF pass-blocking mark places 23rd among 62 qualified tackles, and his 97.7 pass-blocking efficiency score is 10th. Moreover, Eluemunor sits 14th in pressure rate allowed (4.7%) among qualified tackles since 2024.”
Stats like those will boost Eluemunor’s value on the veteran market. So will his being “A steady presence at right tackle with experience playing both left tackle and guard should warrant a bigger payday than expected on the open market,” according to Locker.
All of those things form a strong argument for why Eluemunor can get paid in the offseason, but they are also compelling reasons for why the Giants should want to retain his services. Particularly when he’s helped them overcome a major misstep in the draft.
Giants Have Strong Incentive to Bring Back Evan Neal Replacement
The strongest incentive for bringing Eluemunor back to MetLife Stadium is his success in helping Big Blue move on from Evan Neal. He was supposed to be the bookend tackle across from All-Pro blindside protector Andrew Thomas, but Neal, the seventh player taken in the 2022 NFL draft, rates as one of general manager Joe Schoen’s biggest mistakes.
Neal’s inability to make the grade at the pro level, despite several position switches, is one of the main reasons many don’t want to see Schoen return next year. The under-pressure GM has had more success finding capable blockers in free agency, landing Eluemunor, along with guards Greg Van Roten and Jon Runyan Jr.
Van Roten is also ticketed to enter free agency in 2026, but the 35-year-old doesn’t have the same underlying value as Eluemunor. The latter’s versatility is useful, particularly the ability to also play left tackle, where Thomas remains a brilliant, but brittle standout.
Keeping Eluemunor would give the Giants a starter-ready pro at multiple spots up front. That flexibility is crucial for a vital position group still with room for improvement. Further talent should be added during free agency, not subtracted, even though Eluemunor isn’t the only key free agent the Giants will want to keep.
More Key Free Agency Decisions Await Giants
A handsome payday could await Eluemunor, but his Giants teammate Wan’Dale Robinson will also command a hefty sum in free agency. The wide receiver has taken his game up a level while star target Malik Nabers is on injured reserve, so Robinson is primed to get paid.
Paying Robinson makes sense for the Giants, who need to surround young quarterback Jaxson Dart with credible playmakers. Robinson qualifies, and along with a healthy Nabers, they can give Dart what he needs to mature as a passer.
That maturation will also depend on Dart being smarter and more selective about when he runs to limit the threat of taking extra hits and sustaining injuries. Those risks can be further mitigated by a stout offensive line that still needs Eluemunor.
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