Nine-year veteran D.J. Humphries, considered one of the top offensive tackles still available in free agency, may soon be joining the New York Giants. Originally a first-round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, Humphries faced early struggles, drawing criticism from then-head coach Bruce Arians and failing to secure a spot on the active roster. However, he turned his career around in 2016 and became a reliable starter, even earning a Pro Bowl nod in 2021.
In 2023, Humphries started 15 games but posted a modest 62.5 grade from Pro Football Focus. After being released by Arizona during the offseason, he’s had difficulty finding a new team. That could soon change, as the Giants reportedly hosted Humphries for a free agent visit. The team is in need of help at tackle following a foot injury to star offensive lineman Andrew Thomas. If signed, Humphries could be a significant loss for other tackle-needy teams like the Kansas City Chiefs, New England Patriots, and New Orleans Saints.
D.J. Humphries Visits With Giants, Not Chiefs, Patriots, Saints
The Kansas City Chiefs boast the NFL’s top interior offensive line but continue to struggle at the tackle position. After a failed experiment with Donovan Smith in 2023, they drafted Kingsley Suamataia in the 2024 NFL Draft as a long-term solution at left tackle. However, Suamataia has not yet adjusted to the NFL level, as his current Pro Football Focus grade of 41.2 would rank him 75th out of 76 qualifying tackles. Wanya Morris has been filling in for now, but adding a veteran like D.J. Humphries could significantly bolster the offensive line.
Former Cardinals first-round pick D.J. Humphries, who is recovering from a torn ACL suffered last season, is visiting today with the New York Giants. The Giants lost OT Andrew Thomas to season-ending foot surgery, and Humphries played left tackle in Arizona for nine seasons. pic.twitter.com/U46eFfAvpl
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 22, 2024
Although the Chiefs are off to a 6-0 start, their offense hasn’t been as dominant as in past seasons. Patrick Mahomes has thrown more interceptions (eight) than touchdowns (six), and his performance metrics place him as a solid, but not elite, starter. While injuries at wide receiver are a major factor, the inconsistent tackle play is also contributing to the offensive struggles. With Jawaan Taylor’s high salary keeping him in the lineup, Humphries could still challenge Morris for the starting role. Given that Humphries would likely come at a low cost, the Chiefs have little reason not to explore signing the veteran tackle.
Other Landing Spots
The New England Patriots may be out of the playoff race, but they still have a strong incentive to pursue D.J. Humphries, who is currently being considered by the New York Giants. After beginning the season as a backup, rookie quarterback Drake Maye, the third-overall pick, has taken over as the starter and is proving his worth. In three appearances, including two starts, Maye has completed 64.1% of his passes for 541 yards, five touchdowns, and two interceptions, despite dealing with one of the weakest supporting casts in the NFL. With Maye showing promise as a potential long-term answer at quarterback, improving the offensive line will be crucial to maximizing his potential.
The New Orleans Saints, on the other hand, are fighting to keep their playoff hopes alive. At 2-5, they still have a chance in a weak NFC South but need to make quick adjustments. First-round pick Taliese Fuaga is holding his own at left tackle, but right tackle Trevor Penning remains a weak spot. Although Humphries has primarily played on the left side throughout his career, he has some experience on the right and could provide an upgrade for the Saints. Bringing in Humphries could help stabilize the offensive line, making things easier for Derek Carr or rookie Spencer Rattler, who was drafted in the fifth round.
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