He may only be keeping a spot warm for Francis ‘Sisi’ Mauigoa, but New York Giants starting right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor has a warning for the 10th pick in the 2026 NFL draft.
Eluemunor is prepared to help mentor Mauigoa, who is set to start his career in the pros at right guard. The veteran who has started 31 games for Big Blue sounded a note of caution when he warned the rookie, “You’ve got to hit the ground running. There’s no learning period. You get with it or get left behind,” per the New York Post’s Mark Cannizzaro.
Part of the challenge for Mauigoa, who is getting used to those connected with the Giants setting high expectations for him, will involve quickly impressing new head coach John Harbaugh. As Eluemunor put it, “You’ve got to show him why you were drafted, why you deserve to be on the team. Once you get drafted, that’s great, but once you walk in that building and put on that jersey and that helmet, you’ve got to show why you’re wearing that jersey and why you deserve to be on the team.”
The partnership between Eluemunor and Mauigoa will be key to creating the more smash-mouth offense Harbaugh envisages for the Giants. That vision makes Mauigoa’s comments about his early impressions of working with Eluemunor all the more significant.
Francis Mauigoa Speaks Out About Jermaine Eluemunor’s Input
Mauigoa acknowledged “Jermaine reached out after the draft, after the pick. I’m really excited to be working with him. He’s a right tackle. They want me to play right guard. We’re out here to move people, and that’s what we’re going to do.”
One of his two first-round picks in this year’s draft sounding so receptive to learning from established players should be music to Harbaugh’s ears. No. 5 pick Arvell Reese will need to demonstrate the same willingness to listen at a crowded linebacker spot, where he’s surrounded by two-time Pro Bowler Tremaine Edmunds on the inside, as well as multiple star edge-rushers.
Mauigoa won’t face the same level of competition to get onto the field right away, but he will need to form a rapid rapport with Eluemunor. Fortunately, the latter made clear to Cannazzaro how “Mentorship sometimes means you’re towards the end of your career, and I’m nowhere near that. I’m right in the middle of it. So, for me, I’m going to bring him along with me. He’s going to be right next to me, hopefully for a long time.”
Forging a formidable tandem on one side of their offensive front is key to the Giants living up to the bold prediction Eluemunor has made for a new-look line.
Giants’ Offensive Line Tipped for Big Things
Eluemunor isn’t bashful about what Mauigoa’s arrival can mean for the O-line. The 31-year-old declared to the Post, “I feel like our offensive line can be a top-10 line.”
That statement would have prompted laughter and derision in years past, but the Giants made strides up front last season. Strides led by Eluemunor becoming a dependable starter who earned the faith of would-be franchise quarterback Jaxson Dart.
Keeping the second-year signal-caller clean in the pocket remains the priority for Eluemunor and Co. So it’s good news Mauigoa is already eager to take on and master the task, even though building a wall around Dart will be just one part of the job.
A Mauigoa-led line will also play a vital role in putting the physical ground attack Harbaugh and veteran run-game coordinator Greg Roman favor into practice.
The latter assignment may prompt more changes up front. Perhaps at left guard, where one of Harbaugh’s former Baltimore Ravens players, 6-foot-8, 380-pounder Daniel Faalele, could unseat generally disappointing incumbent Jon Runyan Jr.
There are question marks about other spots along the front five, but Eluemunor sounds ready to ensure his partnership with Mauigoa won’t be an issue.
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