Does Giants IOL Jack Anderson Have a Competitive Edge for a Roster Spot?

Could 2023 be the year that Jack Anderson carves out a role for himself with the New York Giants?

Author:
Brandon Olsen
Publish date:
May 15, 2023 11:00 AM EDT

In this story:

Jack Anderson, Guard

Height: 6-foot-4 | Weight: 314 pounds
2022 Stats: 12 games played, 2 games started, one sack allowed

For Jack Anderson, there was a ton of hype thrown on him from the moment he committed to Texas Tech - he’s still the second-highest-rated commit to ever join the Red Raiders.

Anderson ended up being a three-year starter for Texas Tech, missing most of 2019 due to injuries when he otherwise would have been a four-year starter. With two all-Big XII selections under his belt, Anderson entered the 2021 NFL Draft, where he would end up being a seventh-round pick to the Buffalo Bills.

Anderson’s tape in college was strong for someone who went against future NFL pass-rushers every year, but he lacked the ideal size for modern NFL guards.

Anderson would be released in the final round of cuts by the Bills before the 2021 season but would immediately be re-signed to the practice squad. That practice squad stint would only last a few weeks as he was soon snatched up to the Philadelphia Eagles 53-man roster before eventually being placed on injured reserve.

Once again, Anderson was part of the final cuts in August before the start of the 2022 season. The New York Giants would claim him following that, and he’s been a part of the active roster ever since, reuniting him with his offensive line coach from Buffalo, Bobby Johnson.

Best Case Scenario

The 2023 season should be the first in Anderson’s career that he makes it to the regular season on the active roster with the same team he went through preseason.

While he’s struggled to latch on thus far, Anderson is a fit for the Giants offensive system with the versatility to play any spot on the interior of the offensive line. Anderson played primarily right guard with Texas Tech but also briefly as a center when there was an injury, and in 2022, he started a game at left guard for the Giants.

He may never become a starter-quality offensive lineman, but his versatility should help him latch on as a swing lineman who could rotate in and even spot-start if needed. His functional athleticism allows him to operate as a puller across the line for an offense that likes to mix in wide zone and pin-pull assignments.

Worst Case Scenario

The worst-case scenario for Anderson is pretty clear in 2023. After being part of the final cuts in 2021 and 2022, the possibility of him not being on the roster in 2023 is again an option. Anderson should make the Giants' roster, but in a group that includes many young interior linemen, it’s a legitimate possibility that he doesn’t make the final 53 (although, in my opinion, he should be retained as a depth piece).

What to Expect in 2023

Anderson earned two spot starts during the 2022 season and was occasionally used as a rotational offensive lineman or as a tight end in jumbo packages. The expectation should be the same in 2023. Anderson’s skillset will always be valued in the NFL for being as versatile as he is. An offensive lineman like Anderson is invaluable in an offense that will likely get even more creative with their blocking schemes.