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Earlier this week we looked at a cornerstone player for the New York Giants, offensive guard Justin Pugh. Today, we look at another one as we continue our profiles of the 90-man roster the Giants will bring to training camp later this month. That would be the player who lines up to Pugh's right, center Weston Richburg.
2015 Season in Review
In his second NFL season, the 2014 second-round pick emerged as one of the premier centers in the NFL. After playing out of position at guard as a rookie, Richburg thrived with a move back to his natural center position. He allowed just one quarterback hit and 11 hurries, ending up as the third-highest graded center in the league, per Pro Football Focus. Richburg played in 15 games, missing one with an ankle injury.
Offensive Line Scouting/Development Consultant Duke Manyweather, who also co-hosts the "Block 'Em Up" podcast with former Giant Geoff Schwartz, opined that Richburg is "the top center in the league based on my film study."
Manyweather said Richburg "explodes off the ball with bad intentions" in the run game and has "an outstanding pass pro demeanor."
2016 Season Outlook
Richburg undeniably enjoys the center position, and the leadership role that comes along with it. He used it earlier in the offseason to call out players who don't work hard enough and coaches who don't teach enough. He also used his leadership position to staunchly defend an offensive line that returns intact from the one that finished the 2015 season.
"I really like the guys we have in our room and I think the fact that it stayed consistent personnel-wise says something about the group we have, and I think guys believe that we can do some really great things together, and it is just going to take that consistency, being out there as much as possible with that same group," Richburg said during OTAs.
Richburg should only continue to get better at this point. There should be Pro Bowl, and possibly All-Pro, selections in his future.