The New York Giants are preparing for their upcoming training camp with an overhauled offensive line that has undergone a significant transformation. Although drafting Evan Neal and signing Mark Glowinski were part of the revamping process, the Giants’ center and left guard positions have left some uncertainties.
The Giants are placing their hope in a substantial developmental leap from Evan Neal, more consistency from left guards Ben Bredesen and Joe Ezeudu, and rookie center John Michael-Schmitz stepping up to take on a full-time starting role.
Securing Michael-Schmitz was a draft coup for the Giants. The center had previously been predicted to fall toward the end of the first round. Outperforming his peers, Michael-Schmitz achieved the second-highest total score among centers at the NFL Combine, ranking fifth in athleticism and first in production. Standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing 301 pounds, this rookie center embodies the ideal characteristics of a promising above-average starter for the future.
Michael-Schmitz’s intelligence and pre-snap IQ equip him with the ability to diagnose pass rushes and prepare for different sequences – a trait put to the test by offensive line coach Bobby Johnson during pre-draft meetings.
Michael-Schmitz is more than just a physically gifted player with great potential as a starter. He’s also seen as a great fit for the locker room and a key player in building team culture and camaraderie. According to his college coach, P.J. Fleck, Michael-Schmitz is one of the greatest people off the field, one of the best connectors of a locker room that one will ever meet.
Along with his impressive record, Michael-Schmitz, with all his reps at center, is a plug-and-play starter that should substantially enhance the Giants’ interior offensive line.
Overall, the Giants landed a special player in rookie center John Michael-Schmitz, who brings both physical and mental attributes to the table. With his intelligence, technique, and locker room presence, Michael-Schmitz has the potential to be the missing piece in the Giants’ offensive line and help take their team to the next level.
