PFF Ranks Giants' Offensive Line 23rd for 2026, Down From No. 9 to Finish Last Season
Rookie right guard Francis Mauigoa is the only new starter on the unit, and the Giants are sorting out the backup guard job behind him after trading Daniel Faalele to Jacksonville.
Pro Football Focus ranks the Giants' offensive line 23rd in the NFL entering the 2026 season. The group finished last season ranked ninth by the same outlet.
PFF's own writeup doesn't explain the size of the drop. The scouting note on the Giants praises Andrew Thomas, flags his history of missed time in 2023 and 2024, and says the unit "might be another season away from making a bigger impact" if Mauigoa struggles — but offers no specific reasoning for a 14-spot fall by a group that returns four of five starters.
The only change to the starting five is at right guard, where the Giants drafted Francis Mauigoa 10th overall out of Miami. Left tackle Andrew Thomas, left guard Jon Runyan Jr., center John Michael Schmitz Jr. and right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor all return. GMEN HQ's Justin Bonhard raised the same question in an Aug. 15 piece, writing that Mauigoa's rookie transition "shouldn't be the reason why this offensive line suddenly tumbles compared to its competition around the league."
The starting five has not changed since the Giants traded backup Daniel Faalele to Jacksonville on Aug. 19. Faalele had been the top backup at left guard behind Runyan. His departure left a competition for the backup guard job: Josh Ezeudu worked exclusively at right guard with the second team at Tuesday's practice, with Evan Neal still working with the third team behind both Ezeudu and Aaron Stinnie, according to Yahoo Sports/SB Nation's Ed Valentine. Jake Kubas has also gotten reps at center and left guard, filling in after Schmitz and backup center Lucas Patrick each missed practice time last week with injuries.
The preseason opener against Minnesota on Aug. 15 offered an early look at the new-look line. Mauigoa played 30 snaps into the third quarter and graded solid to good in pass protection, with a higher grade in the run game, according to SI/OnSI's Bob Folger. Runyan graded better in pass protection than in run blocking with the starters. Neal, working at third-team right guard over 20 snaps, graded as the weakest offensive lineman on the roster that week, per SI/OnSI. Faalele allowed a sack in his 13 snaps at backup left guard in that game, four days before New York traded him.
Harbaugh said this week's padded joint practice with the Dolphins comes Thursday, with the Giants' second preseason game Saturday — the next look at the line before final roster cuts.