The Old Guard, the new guard or, really, any guard should be next on the Giants’ free-agent to do list.
After addressing needs for a pass-catcher, an inside linebacker, a cornerback and a right tackle over the first two days of legal tampering, the Giants still have a hole at right guard because two-year starter Greg Van Roten is unsigned and their pursuit of Alijah Vera-Tucker as an upgrade ended when his market ballooned into a three-year, $42 million contract with the Patriots.
The Giants have shown interest in free agents Wyatt Teller and Daniel Faalele, league sources told The Post.
Teller, 31, made 94 starts and was an All-Pro three times during seven years with the Browns.
He posted to social media an emotional goodbye to Browns fans when he was told in February that the team was moving in a different direction.
Faalele, 26, didn’t have the same pedigree or the same fan base connection in Baltimore.
He started all 34 games over the last two seasons and became a lightning-rod for Ravens fans – think the way that Giants fans feel about Evan Neal – whenever head coach John Harbaugh defended his struggles.
Well, now Harbaugh could be the one to give the 6-foot-8 former fourth-round pick his fresh start.
Familiarity is one reason, and offensive coordinator Matt Nagy’s preference for big interior offensive linemen is another.
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He was ranked as the No. 52 guard in the league last season by Pro Football Focus. He allowed five sacks total in two seasons as a starter.
There also is mutual interest in a reunion with Van Roten, who has played every snap the last two seasons (the only Giant to do so) and has not missed a game due to injury since 2020.
The 36-year-old Long Island native played on a reasonable one-year, $3.2 million contract.
But the starting guard market is drying up in a hurry and the Giants could have competition for Van Roten’s services if they wait too long another team sees him as a short-term starter and not a safety net.
If the Giants want to take a high-upside swing on a guard with injury history, pairing him with Van Roten and having the loser of a position battle serve as the swing guard also could be a logical avenue.
Left guard Jon Runyan Jr. is due to count $11.75 million against the salary cap.
The Giants could save $9.25 million by cutting Runyan Jr., but finding two starting guards at this point sounds risky when Runyan Jr. offers chemistry with left tackle Andrew Thomas and a degree from the Harbaugh School after playing for Jim at Michigan.