The Giants will add former first-round pick D.J. Fluker on a one-year deal, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com tweets. Fluker visited the team this weekend after seeing the Chargers release him.
New York will add a guard who saw Los Angeles backtrack on its fifth-year option decision from 2016, while Fluker will have a chance to re-establish his value on a team that had a vacancy at right guard. Both the Giants and Patriots expressed interest in Fluker, who started for four seasons in San Diego, but New York’s offensive line had a more obvious hole than did New England’s.
Fluker will likely slide into the right guard slot John Jerry occupied for most of the past three seasons. Jerry is now a UFA. Fluker began his career as the Chargers’ right tackle before moving inside to guard for the 2015 and ’16 seasons. He has not flashed the form the Bolts hoped he would when they drafted him 11th overall in 2013, but he will only be 26 this season.
The Bolts backed out of Fluker’s option, worth $8.82MM, since it was nonguaranteed. The former Alabama blocker will now join a line that saw Justin Pugh make the transition from first-round tackle to standout guard. Fluker graded as Pro Football Focus’ No. 54 guard last season — 38 spots behind Pugh — but he made it through 16 games after injuries cost him four in 2015. Fluker has otherwise proven to be durable, playing in 31 of a possible 32 regular-season games during his first two seasons.
It’s not a guarantee just yet the Giants want Fluker at guard. They also have an opening at right tackle after Marshall Newhouse agreed to terms with the Raiders on Friday night.
Good signing. Get flowers off LT now.
Agreed. They need to get at least some competition for Flowers. Not much cap space left, or LT talent, but at least another bargain basement type with some upside is needed.
Agreed but how?
Same as Fluker. There are guys still out there. They are not stars or big name players, but they can find someone in free agency.
Take it from me. I like Fluker because he plays hard and with injuries, but if you think he is your answer at left tackle you guys are in trouble.
He’s not playing LT, most likely replacing Jerry at RG or Newhouse at RT.
Fluker cant pasa block, but can be servicale in the running game. If he actually lost some weight i think hed be better at pasa protection. But good luck to him.
Chargers signing okung means they can shift dunlap to the right side and barksdale to guard to reshuffle things.
you must be a biased Chargers fan
Okung was horrible this year for the Broncos Okung pass blocking was awful yet uou knock Fluker who graded better Hell play right tackle for Giants He grades better as a tackle than guard and we need to replace Newhouse
Bolts way over paid for Okung. Had this been 5 years ago I would be happy. Hopefully their new online coach is better than the last one because their line isn’t.