The success of the Giants’ season is largely dependent on the play of the offensive line. The team’s line got that much better earlier this week with the addition of Billy Price. The Bengals dealt Price to the Giants for defensive lineman BJ Hill along with a late round conditional ’22 pick. Hill was a third round selection in ’18 out of NC State.
Will Price Make a Difference?
Price might not be the only addition to the New York offensive line. The team has been actively discussing trades with several teams prior to the start of the season. The NFL season kicks off in merely nine days. Price, a first round pick back in ’18, will certainly help the line yet he might only provide depth. Price has played both guard and center. All in all, Price has played in more han 40 games, starting 19 of them. It has been a disappointing start for a prior first round draft pick yet he could help a New York offensive line that is woefully lacking in talent and depth.
The Giants also added Ted Larsen to contribute to the line as well. Larsen was signed as a free agent. The team’s left guard, Shane Lemieux, is battling a knee injury. As noted above, the Giants could easily add another offensive lineman via trade in the days ahead.
Hill Departs After 17 Starts
Defensive lineman BJ Hill will become a Bengal after recording 7.5 sacks and 116 tackles in 17 starts with New York. Hill started a dozen games in his rookie campaign, notching 5.5 sacks. However, he ended up as a rotational player after losing out to Trey Hopkins for a starting role. The exchange of Hill for Price is essentially a trade of underperforming young players who have not lived up to expectations.
The Giants are a Long Shot in the NFC
Even if the Giants add a couple more offensive linemen, they will still be double digit long shots to win the Super Bowl title or even the NFC crown. At the moment, the Giants are 65 to 1 long shots to win it all. The Giants are 31 to 1 underdogs to win the NFC.
Unless New York adds a Pro Bowl caliber offensive tackle along with considerable depth at the guard and center positions, the team will likely struggle to make the playoffs. However, gamblers who are bullish on the Giants might want to consider betting on the squad to win the NFC East crown. The division is up for grabs as Dak Prescott is still battling back from injury in Dallas and the Washington Football Team lacks chemistry.
