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Mailbag: Hidden O-line gems in middle rounds

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Brian in Mane: Knowing how well Joe Schoen was prepared in Buffalo, does it seem possible his scouting has uncovered worthy second- or third-round offensive lineman who would allow the Giants the flexibility of addressing other areas such as CB, LB or EDGE in the first round? Or would choosing the best football player (such as Kyle Hamilton) be the best option?

John Schmeelk: The mailbag is loaded with exasperation that the Giants would even consider passing on an offensive linemen with the fifth and seventh overall picks. Adding an offensive tackle at No. 5 or 7 to anchor the right side for years would be ideal, but there's a legitimate chance the Giants don't have an offensive linemen on their board when they select. If that's the case, the team should not take one. Given where they are in their building process, they'd be better off passing on an above average offensive tackle for someone who they think could be a Pro Bowl cornerback or edge rusher.

There will be offensive line prospects available later in the draft, especially on the interior. Offensive tackles might be harder to find on Day 2, especially if as many as six offensive tackles go in the first round, as many prognosticators are predicting. It doesn't mean that there won't be a later-round player who will eventually become a starter, but you'd have to pick the right one.

Enzo in Virginia: If the Giants don't go offensive tackle at No. 5 or 7, which is likely, which group of tackles – maybe including Daniel Faalele or NIcholas Petit-Frere - could be left at No. 36?

John Schmeelk: Let's assume that Evan Neal, Ikem Ekwonu, Charles Cross, Trevor Penning and Bernhard Raimann are taken in the first round. Tyler Smith is someone that could make it to the Giants at No. 36. He checked all the boxes at the NFL Combine, weighing in at 6'5 and 324 pounds, running a 5.02 40-yard dash and posting 105 inches in the broad jump. He's a bruising physical player, but a little undisciplined - he was called for 16 penalties last season.

Faalele measures 6'8 and 384 pounds with 35 1/8 inch arms. He did not do any testing at the combine, but he can move well for a man his size. He was a devastating run blocker in college but his pass protection was inconsistent. Perhaps, you could also find Louisiana's Max Mitchell, Washington State's Abraham Lucas, and Ohio State's Petit-Frere in that range.

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