The New York Giants used the 19th-overall selection in the 2013 NFL draft to select Syracuse offensive tackle Justin Pugh.
The pick didn’t evoke much of a reaction from the many Big Blue faithful in attendance at Radio City Music Hall, but that’s not because it was a bad pick. Right tackle is a major position of need for the Giants, and the addition of Pugh provides them with an instant upgrade.
The Syracuse standout started 34 games in three seasons, earning All-Big East honors in each. He was a key member of an offensive line that blocked for three separate 1,000-yard rushers. More importantly, the Orange surrendered just 16 sacks as a unit.
Pugh is a bit undersized and has fairly short arms (32 inches) for an offensive tackle, but he utilizes his quickness and solid technique to compensate for his disadvantages. He shows a great sidestep, sliding fluidly into the path of the opposing edge rusher and keeping him contained.
He will not be expected to play left tackle for the Giants, but the National Football Post doesn’t see any reason why he couldn’t do so in the NFL. Knowing he could should give the Giants’ front office some relief considering the amount of injuries that have struck the team in recent years.
With no one of substantially superior talent on the roster, Pugh should get the chance to battle for the starting right tackle job in training camp. Claiming the role could be easy work for him with the rapid decline of aging veteran David Diehl and the unimpressive presence of players like James Brewer and Brandon Mosley so far.
The 22-year-old Pennsylvania native is an ideal fit for the Giants. He’s a determined young player who will have no issues complying with the team-first, all-business attitude inside the locker room. More importantly, he infuses some much-needed youth on an offensive line where the average age is well above the league average.
That age started to show in 2012, despite low sack numbers for opposing defenses on quarterback Eli Manning. While left tackle Will Beatty was among the league’s best, the remaining members of the line were underwhelming in pass protection and forced Manning to make a lot of hasty choices under pressure.
Was Pugh the right choice? That’s tough to say. From a value standpoint, he doesn’t appear to be, but general manager Jerry Reese’s work speaks for itself and there are not many players he’s missed on yet. Giants fans can find solace in that fact while taking pleasure in knowing that regardless of his role, whether as a tackle or, if his short arms force a move to guard, Pugh will be a quality force on the offensive line for the foreseeable future.
Louis Musto is a reporter and sports talk host for the Sports Journey Broadcast Network. You can follow him on Twitter @LouisMusto.