The Giants may already feel settled up front for 2026, but the long view points straight to left guard. Jon Runyan Jr. is set to hit free agency after the 2026 season, and if no reserve interior lineman forces his way into the picture or turns into a cap casualty candidate, that spot becomes a clear 2027 problem.
That’s why Minnesota’s Greg Johnson is a name worth tracking. He enters the season with a round 3 grade on the consensus big board, and the current crop of interior linemen in the draft doesn’t look especially deep. If the Giants end up shopping for Runyan’s replacement in the draft, Johnson has the kind of profile that could pull them in.
At 6-foot-6 and 325 pounds, Johnson has the kind of frame that jumps off the screen. He carries it well, too, with a thick lower half and enough movement skills to do more than just hold his ground. Minnesota even trusted him as an emergency tackle, and he started two games there - one at left tackle and one at right tackle.
His game starts with quickness and power. Johnson gets out of his stance fast, comes downhill with pop, and can move defenders when he lands with leverage.
He’s also athletic enough to function in a variety of run concepts, whether that means working zone blocks, climbing to the second level after a double team, or leading on screens. Minnesota’s run game asked him to do plenty, and he handled both gap schemes and inside and outside zone looks.
That movement ability carries over into pass protection. Johnson can stay with most interior defenders, sort out loopers on stunts and twists, and pick up blitzers coming through the middle. If he gets a hand on rushers, he has the strength to anchor against power and can shut down speed when he’s in position to make contact.
He also brings a temperament NFL coaches are going to notice right away. Johnson plays through the whistle, keeps working if he’s not engaged, and has a clear edge to him.
He’s not just trying to finish blocks - he’s trying to make sure the other guy remembers the rep. There’s a nastiness there, and it shows up in the way he adds a little extra at the end of plays.
The flip side is that his technique still needs work. Johnson can play with excellent leverage, but he doesn’t always stay there.
When his pads rise or he gets too far out over his skis, his balance and power can slip. The same goes for his hands.
He has reps where he locks in and takes control, but too often his strike misses the mark or never lands squarely on the chest. There are also some arm-length questions, and when he lunges while his hips are rising, the rep usually goes sideways fast.
That aggression is part of what makes him interesting, but it also has to be controlled. Johnson can’t lose the edge that gives him value, yet he has to keep it from working against him.
As a pure interior prospect, there’s a chance he ends up near the top of the board in this class. Whether that becomes a Day 1 or Day 2 grade is still up in the air, especially in a draft that’s expected to draw attention for its premium-position talent. Interior offensive line is always harder to sort out unless a player is truly special, like Quenton Nelson or Vega Ioane.
For a team like the Giants, though, Johnson checks a lot of boxes. He has the size and power to fit Greg Roman’s run game, the athleticism to hold up in pass protection, and the competitive streak that would fit a John Harbaugh offensive line. With his background at left guard, he also looks like a natural candidate to step into Runyan’s role.
If Johnson cleans up the consistency without sanding off the edge that makes him stand out, he could end up being a strong second-round value.
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