Is This OT Matt Peart's Last Chance to Make the Roster?

Matt Peart, Offensive Tackle

Height: 6-foot-7 | Weight: 318 pounds
2022 Stats: GP 9 / GS 0

New York Giants offensive tackle Matt Peart, a third-round pick (No. 99 overall) out of UCONN in 2020, came to East Rutherford with a lot of hope and expectation, with some people even likening his NFL future to the same path taken by one-time left tackle (and fellow UCONN alumnus) William Beatty.

Such has not been the case, however, so far for Peart. The Kingston, Jamaica native emigrated to the United States at the age of four and would go on to spend four college seasons with the Huskies, for whom he was a consistent starter (48 games) and with whom he earned a first-team All-American Athletic Conference nod.

Blessed with good size and length, Peart's collegiate success hasn’t yielded the same story at the professional level. Peart made his NFL debut in late September 2020 and played in 150 total snaps for the Giants that season, but it was marred towards the end with trips to the reserve/COVID-19 list.

The next year, the 25-year-old saw a career-high 421 snaps and earned more starting time with left tackle Andrew Thomas hurt, yet the same result befell him with an ACL tear in late December.

Last season he began the year on PUP, returning in Week 10. When he did get on the field, his pass-blocking was all over the place, while his run-blocking seemed on point.

Per Pro Football Focus, Peart, in 688 total snaps, has allowed seven sacks, 31 total pressures, and five penalties, most of which came in 2020 and 2021, with his pass-blocking efficiency rating at 95.3.

With the Giants needing a swing tackle, Peart should still be in the mix. But can he survive the final cut?

Best Case Scenario

Peart’s playing time with the Giants has hinged largely on the overall health of the offensive line, particularly the two starting tackle spots now held by Andrew Thomas and Evan Neal.

With the duo set to serve as the formidable starters again and the entire front line restocked with improved talent at all the positions, the fourth-year pro has a tall ladder to climb if he wants to see the playing field in 2023.

That said, the Giants currently have six offensive tackles on the roster before training camp, and it’s uncertain how many they will retain for the regular season unit. Peart can make the team’s depth chart again based on his experience, but it’s just as likely he will get sent down to the practice squad.

A couple of young prospects will compete with him for potential spots in the coming months, and it will come down to who shows the most in camp.

Worst Case Scenario

When Peart was being scouted at the NFL Combine three years ago, evaluators had mixed reviews about the “swing tackle prospect.” They liked the physical traits he brought to the table–outstanding arm length and athleticism–but the glaring issue in his game was a lack of play strength and hand usage at the point of attack that allows the best tackles to thrive at the professional level.

This could help explain why Peart has struggled to prevent opposing pass rushers from dominating the backfield and belittling the Giants’ offense in recent seasons. It’s a technique element by Andrew Thomas that has made him one of the top-graded tackles in the league over that same span. It’s also one New York will look for in its blockers as they seek to close the talent gap with the rest of the best in the NFL.

That means Peart needs to develop his aggressiveness and hand strength in training camp if he wants to hold onto his roster spot.

What to Expect in 2023

It's believed Peart was supposed to be the future at right tackle for the Giants. But circumstances and fate had different plans for him to where now he's fighting for his NFL career.

That doesn't bode well for Peart when making the initial 53-man roster as the swing tackle. Might, however, a move inside to guard be a possibility? Peart has the quick feet to get positioning off the snap and has shown enough tenacity to sustain contact. And his movement skills aren’t bad, either. But can that all translate to an ability to pass-blocking inside?

It might be worth a look for the coaches to try him at guard because it doesn't look like tackle is his NFL future. And if that's the case, then a spot don't eh practice squad could be in Peart's future.

Then again, this coming season is Year 4 for Peart, and it might just have reached a point where it's time to move on.