Giants draft versatile Marcus Mbow to boost offensive line

Giants draft versatile Marcus Mbow to boost offensive line

And on the third day, the Giants addressed their offensive line.

It took until the 154th pick in the NFL Draft for general manager Joe Schoen to put in the card for Marcus Mbow, who has experience playing guard and right tackle during his four years at Purdue.

He will start out playing tackle for the Giants and he adds a much-needed dose of youth and athleticism to the interior of the line.

Mbow on the board in the fifth round was unexpected for the Giants.

Head coach Brian Daboll said Mbow would have been the pick at No. 105 in the fourth round if running back Cam Skattebo was not there.

There were no major additions to the line in free agency this offseason, with the signings of James Hudson III and Stone Forsythe made to augment the depth chart at tackle.

As it stands now, the starting guards are two returning veterans, Jon Runyan Jr. and Greg Van Roten.

In reserve, there is Aaron Stinnie and possibly Evan Neal, the 2022 first-round pick (No. 7 overall) who has been a bust at right tackle and could be headed for a position change.

Marcus Mbow, doing a running drill at the NFL Combine, was drafted in the fifth round by the Giants.
Marcus Mbow, doing a running drill at the NFL Combine, was drafted in the fifth round by the Giants. AP

The Giants, unsurprisingly, will not pick up Neal’s fifth-year option, general manager Joe Schoen said.

Mbow was projected to go earlier, a projection he took to heart.

Friday night, he had a draft party with family and friends at his house but “things didn’t work out,’’ as he was not selected in the third or fourth round.

A day later, it was a much smaller group poised for the call that came, eventually, from the Giants.

“It was a waiting game, but at the end of the day it doesn’t really matter,’’ a subdued-sounding Mbow said. “Just got to do what you can with the opportunity you’re given and go kill it.’’

Mbow, a college teammate at Purdue of Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. — taken in the fifth round last year — was limited to only six games in 2023 with a leg injury but started all 12 games — at right tackle — in 2024.

This is the first offensive lineman taken by Schoen since center John Michael Schmitz in the second round in 2023.

This is a pick that needs to hit, as the track record for offensive linemen is not strong.

Follow The Post’s live coverage of the 2025 NFL Draft

Marcus Mbow talks with the media during the NFL Combine.
Marcus Mbow talks with the media during the NFL Combine. Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images

In 2022, in addition to picking Neal, the Giants also drafted Josh Ezeudu (third round) and Marcus McKethan (fifth round) and neither has done much — McKethan is no longer with the Giants and currently unsigned.

Mbow said: “I feel like I’ll be able to succeed at all five positions.’’ He started working taking snaps as a center as part of his predraft regimen. At the Senior Bowl, he met with the Giants and together they watched tape of him in action.

“Going over it, seeing what I remembered, knocking people over, seeing movement, seeing athleticism,’’ he said.

He liked the “knocking people over’’ part.

“No doubt,’’ he said. “Putting people on the ground, winning reps, demoralizing people. It’s always fun. It’s definitely part of the reason I love the game.’’

Related Posts

BREAKING NEWSєx-NFL star Antonio Brown wanted by police on attempted murder charge after wielding gun in shocking brawl

BREAKING NEWSєx-NFL star Antonio Brown wanted by police on attempted murder charge after wielding gun in shocking brawl

Miami-Dade County police are looking to arrest troubled ex-NFL star Antonio Brown on an attempted murder charge as a result of a shooting at a boxing event…

Kylie Kelce left disturbed by Eagles fan’s revolting tattoo of husband Jason in the ɴuᴅᴇ

Kylie Kelce left disturbed by Eagles fan’s revolting tattoo of husband Jason in the ɴuᴅᴇ

Kylie Kelce was left disturbed by an Eagles fan’s revolting tattoo of her NFL legend husband Jason Kelce, where a team logo is in place of the…

Tom Brady statue to be unveiled by New England Patriots in August

Tom Brady statue to be unveiled by New England Patriots in August

After inducting their greatest ever player into the team’s Hall of Fame last summer, the New England Patriots are taking another measure to honor the career and…

Inside Jaguars rookie Travis Hunter’s new .2 million Florida home

Inside Jaguars rookie Travis Hunter’s new $3.2 million Florida home

Travis Hunter won’t have trouble making friends in his new Florida neighborhood. The Jaguars’ No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft purchased a $3.275 million home…

Texans’ Jimmie Ward arrested on ᴀssault charge following choking allegation

Texans’ Jimmie Ward arrested on ᴀssault charge following choking allegation

Houston Texans safety Jimmie Ward was arrested Thursday morning on a felony ᴀssault family violence charge after an episode at his Texas home, according to the Houston…

Bengals’ rookie Shemar Stewart leaves camp as contract feud gets messier

Bengals’ rookie Shemar Stewart leaves camp as contract feud gets messier

The Bengals sure have a penchant for drama when it comes to players’ contracts. First-round pick Shemar Stewart has left the team’s mandatory minicamp since the sides…