Giants Legend Drops Surprising Claim on Unheralded Rookie

The New York Giants put together a banner NFL Draft back in April, landing names like linebacker Arvell Reese, offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa, cornerback Colton Hood and wide receiver Malachi Fields.

But the Giants also made some late-round additions that have fans intrigued.

One of New York's three sixth-round picks came in the form of offensive lineman J.C. Davis, who was a four-year starter at left tackle for Illinois.

The Giants already have a pair of terrific starting tackles in Andrew Thomas and Jermaine Eluemunor, and 2025 fifth-round selection Marcus Mbow is the swing tackle.

So where does Davis fit into the equation, and why did New York take him if it really didn't have a need for him?

Clearly, Big Blue saw potential in the 6-foot-4, 322-pound behemoth, and legendary Giants center Shaun O'Hara dropped some surprising comments on the youngster during a recent episode of Inside the Film Room.

"Eighty-three-inch wingspan. That's three inches longer than Sisi Mauigoa's," O'Hara said. "When you are a tackle that has go-go-gadget arms like that, that is absolutely a weapon."

A weapon? So does that mean O'Hara expects Davis to be used right off the bat? Perhaps.

Remember: I wrote a piece not long ago suggesting that New York actually test Mbow at left guard, which would allow Davis to step in as the swing tackle.

Currently, Jon Runyan Jr. is slotted in as the Giants' starter at left guard, but he has been very disappointing over his first two years with the squad, and names like Daniel Faalele and even Evan Neal have been tabbed as potential candidates to supplant him in the starting lineup.

New York would stand to save $9.25 million if it cuts Runyan, so if Davis has a strong training camp, why not move Mbow — who showed he could play tackle last year — inside to guard and roll with Davis as your primary backup on the perimeter?

Again, this ultimately depends on how Davis looks this summer. If it's clear that he isn't ready, then obviously, John Harbaugh won't even consider making such a move.

But the fact that O'Hara — a three-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion who knows a thing or two about offensive line play — has already highlighted Davis as a "weapon" is a sign that the maybe the Giants have bigger plans for Davis than we initially thought.

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