Giants position battle: How will backup offensive line spots shake out?

When I did my most recent 53-man roster projection, the offensive linemen I have making the roster were unchanged.

Starters — LT Nate Solder, LG Will Hernandez, C Jon Halapio, RG Patrick Omameh, RT Ereck Flowers

Reserves — Brett Jones, Chad Wheeler, John Greco

There are, however, any number of things that could happen when it comes to the backup offensive linemen. Let’s look at some of the possibilities. We’ll run through some of the guys competing for roster spots.

Brett Jones — I know why the Giants are leaning toward Halapio as the starting center. He is a touch bigger and they see him as a better run blocker. I don’t really like it, though, because in my view Jones is a better overall player. If he isn’t the starter, Jones will be the backup center and first option as a backup guard.

John Greco — I have Greco making the roster because, first of all, he is still a pretty good player in his 11th NFL season. Second of all, he can play both guard and center. Third, he’s a good guy in the locker room who understands his role and just appreciates still being in the league. Fourth, Greco has a long history with coach Pat Shurmur.

Chad Wheeler — Way back in the spring, we figured Wheeler would compete with Flowers at right tackle. That hasn’t been the case. As of now, he is trying to hang on to a job as a backup tackle. He needs to play better than he did last Thursday vs. the Cleveland Browns.

John Jerry — Has kept finding his way into the starting lineup the past few years, whether the Giants really wanted him there or not. Now, the question is whether or not he can stay on the roster. On the plus side, he is a decent, experienced NFL player. On the minus side, he’s not a great run blocker and really doesn’t offer much positional versatility.

Zac Kerin — The former Minnesota Viking and Detroit Lion is kind of flying under the radar. Shurmur knows Kerin from Minnesota, where he spent three seasons and played in 15 games. Kerin got his only NFL start last season with the Lions, played poorly, suffered a knee injury and landed on IR. Kerin can play both guard and center.

Chris Scott — After six seasons as a reserve guard with three NFL teams, Scott knows the drill. Watch him in practice, and he overwhelms the third-team guys he usually works against. Is there a spot for Scott? Maybe not, unless injuries strike in front of him. Scott, though, isn’t a bad fallback option.

Nick Becton — If the Giants are going to keep a second backup tackle, as of now that would be Becton. The 28-year-old was solid in the preseason opener, but has only played six regular-season games — none since 2015. More likely, I think the Giants look to the waiver wire.