The New York Giants did not make any splashes or additions this offseason along the offensive line but that does not discount the fact that upgrades would be welcome.
After releasing their best lineman, veteran guard Kevin Zeitler, in a cost cutting move to free up salary cap space the Giants doubled down on their current offensive line group by not using any of their six picks in the draft on one. They also only signed one veteran — guard Zach Fulton — in free agency and he is going to have to win a role in training camp.
Many who cover the team believe they could still add to the group should the right player present himself. Some thought that player could be former Carolina Panthers guard Trai Turner, but he was just signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
That leads us to the other part of that equation. Turner was signed to replace guard David DeCastro, the six-time Pro Bowler who was released by the Steelers on Thursday. The Giants should be one of the teams interested in DeCastro, but they could be scared away by some troubling injury news.
From NBC Sports Edge:
The move was a complete shock until NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo added that DeCastro has been dealing with an ankle issue for “quite some time” and is considering retirement. Pittsburgh saves $8.8 million by releasing DeCastro but it’s clear that this was never their plan. He was released with a non-football injury designation, likely indicating that something is wrong with his ankle.
The Giants are confident in the group they have at guard at the moment (Will Hernandez, Fulton and Shane Lemieux) and bringing in an injured player such as DeCastro won’t really move the needle much. They could explore the situation but all indications here are that DeCastro is hurt and may not be ready to play.
