James Hudson III has become a key figure for the New York Giants as training camp begins, especially with starting left tackle Andrew Thomas sidelined. Hudson, who stands 6-foot-5 and weighs 313 pounds, was signed by the Giants to fill a critical role on the offensive line.
“When I signed, I kind of compared it a pitcher closing a game,” Hudson said. “When one of the tackles goes down or anything like that, that can be at any point in a game whether that’s in the third quarter, the fourth quarter, whenever, you have to come in there and there’s no drop-off. It’s one of the most important roles in football.”
The need for depth became clear after Thomas was placed on the physically unable to perform list at the start of training camp. Last season, Thomas had surgery following a foot injury against Cincinnati on October 13. Before his injury, the starting five linemen played every snap together; afterward, the Giants used ten different combinations for their offensive line—the highest number tied with another NFL team.
Hudson joined New York after playing 47 regular-season games with Cleveland since being drafted by them in 2021. He made 17 starts—mostly at right tackle but also three at left tackle last year.
“I know that they’re building something special here,” Hudson said about joining New York. “I could see it when they came up and played us in Cleveland last year. This is a special group, something I wanted to be a part of and change things around.”
With Thomas out, Hudson has worked with the first team during practice sessions.
“He’s an intense dude,” said right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor. “Sometimes you’ve got to pull him back in because he’ll just dive off the edge of the boat. You say, ‘no, don’t do that.’ But I mean offensive line is a hard position and you got to have some edge about you, especially playing tackle – I would know – especially a left tackle, which I would know. Obviously, he’s just out there trying to get better and he’s taking it upon himself to truly set the tone which we love. Offensive line, you got to set the tone. For us to be the offensive line we want to be this year, you’ve got to have guys like that on the team so we’re happy to have him.”
Coach Brian Daboll also expressed approval of Hudson’s approach.
“I love it, for an offensive lineman,” Daboll said. “You’re always looking for offensive linemen that bring an edge. Again, we’ve got to be smart, so what’s it going to be in the fourth quarter when things get tough and somebody shoves you and pushes you? Are you able to have the emotional maturity to go ahead and focus on the next play and not get involved in that? That’s some of the stuff we evaluate out here as well. Can these guys – we’ve all done training camp for a long time, so emotions are going to happen. Competitive juices are – there’s going to be stuff that happens. There is every year. There hasn’t been a year since I’ve done it where there hasn’t been, usually multiple times.”
During practices held under high temperatures this week as players put on pads for drills,
“There’s a lot of pushing, there’s a lot of shoving and you want to take it right up to the line but not cross that line,” Daboll said. “Sometimes, that’s going to happen. You show clips, you teach off of it, don’t want to be cheap. When you get tired, you don’t want to do dumb things that affect the team in a negative way, but his edge and his personality has been a welcomed addition to the room.”
Hudson credits former Browns coaches Bill Callahan and Scott Peters for helping develop his style.
“They did a great job of grooming me into the player that I am today,” Hudson said.
Daboll noted what stood out when reviewing free agents: “We liked his tape as a free agent,” Daboll said. “He’s a very athletic guy was able play both sides ball he had good play style but now get know him different level In meetings he’s pretty serious guy try get him smile once day doesn’t always work [Quarterback] Jameis [Winston] has pretty good relationship with him he’ll good guy talk Hud He was with him there at Cleveland yeah he’s been good addition us out there He’s had good camp playing there at left tackle every down so we want aggressive approach”
Hudson shared how Coach Daboll tries lighten mood: “[He’ll] just come up me randomly It could right before we start team period He says something It could whenever – right after play You never really know Coach Daboll interesting guy himself”
Despite his serious nature on field Hudson showed humor off field when photo signing contract went viral due resemblance musical artist T-Pain
“That was pretty cool man,” Hudson said “It wasn’t first time heard it I’ve been hearing few years now but now everybody else knows about it”
Now Giants fans are getting familiar with their new swing tackle.
