Giants to meet with center Austin Reiter

Jeremy Fowler of ESPN is reporting they the New York Giants will host veteran center Austin Reiter.

As Fowler notes, Reiter is a two-year starter for the Chiefs and has started 20 games over the last three years. He started 12 games in 2020 and 16 games in 2019, playing a combined 1,911 snaps the last two years.

While Pro Football Focus' grades should be taken with a grain of salt, Reiter is credited with a grade of 70.0 last year, with no penalties nor sacks allowed. If the Giants are able to sign Reiter he should immediately compete with Nick Gates for the starting center job.

Likewise, his presence could allow the Giants to use Gates' versatility to shore up the depth of an offensive line suddenly dealing with questions at multiple spots.

The Giants' young offensive line was already dealing with questions following the departure of Kevin Zeitler. But now it has to contend with a thinning depth chart following the injuries to Matt Peart (back), Jonotthan Harrison (hamstring), and Shane Lemieux (knee).

Reiter’s former teammate in Kansas City, Mitchell Schwartz, can’t believe Reiter is still looking for work.

Pete Sweeney of SB Nation’s Chiefs website, Arrowhead Pride, said that Reiter is a “pretty average” player.

“Not really good or bad. Chiefs have been consistently looking for upgrade since he fell into position. Went as far as saying he was “injured” last year to replace him three games with Daniel Kilgore. Then they re-inserted him,” Sweeney said.

“Took a second-round center [in the draft] and signed Austin Blythe, who is basically the same player as either for less money. They are going to start the rookie Creed Humphrey over Reiter or Blythe.”