New York Giants' Potential Free-Agent Target: Chad Rinehart, OG, San Diego Chargers

The New York Giants need help along an offense line that simply was not good enough in 2013. That isn't news to anyone who has paid attention to the Giants. Where will they get that help?

There was a focus for the Giants on offensive linemen during the recently-completed NFL Combine. Four-time Pro Bowler Chris Snee has said he wants to try to return next season. David Baas has reportedly been offered a pay cut. There still, however, is an expectation that the Giants will be looking to add veteran guards during free agency, which begins March 11.

In an article looking at low-cost free-agent fits for NFL teams, Rotoworld's Nick Menio connects San Diego Chargers offensive guard Chad Rinehart to the Giants. He writes:

The G-Men are in need of a total rebuild on the interior of their front five. LG Kevin Boothe is a free agent and struggled on his one-year deal. C David Baas has been an injury-prone free-agent bust. RG Chris Snee's tank is on E and is going to be cut if he doesn't take a massive pay cut. G/T James Brewer hasn't shown he can grab one of the spots. Rinehart (6-foot-5, 321) can play either left or right guard. He's made it through a 16-game season just once in his five-year career, however. But when healthy, Rinehart is above-average in all phases.

Rinehart was a third-round pick by the Washington Redskins in 2009. He has started 31 of the 42 games he has played in during his NFL career, but does have only one that one complete season in his career. He has played both guards, and even played a bit of left tackle for the Chargers in 2013.

NFL.com says this about Rinehart:

Formerly a third-round bust with the Redskins, Rinehart has turned his career around and solidified the Chargers' interior.

SB Nation's Chargers web site, Bolts From The Blue, would like to see Rinehart back in San Diego in 2014:

Chad Rinehart was crucial to the turnaround of the Chargers' offensive line in 2013. He missed a few games due to injury, but he provided stable play at left guard, something Charger fans haven't seen since Kris Dielman.

Counting playoff games Rinehart's Pro FootballFocus grade was a mediocre +1.6, including a -4.8 in run-blocking. Rinehart allowed one sack in 795 snaps. In 2012 he had a +3.4 PFF grade while playing only 170 snaps for the Buffalo Bills.

The Giants MO over the years has been to look for low-cost free agents, especially those with untapped potential. Perhaps Rinehart, 29 next season, is a player who is just coming into his own who might thrive with an opportunity to start full time, something it seems he has never been able to do.

Your thoughts, Giants' fans?