New York Giants quarterback Jameis Winston (19) behind center Bryan Hudson (60) against the Arizona Cardinals during a NFL game at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Duncan Williams/CSM (Credit Image:
Second-year center Bryan Hudson will get the nod as the New York Giants’ starting center once again, as the team prepares for its Week 6 matchup against the New Orleans Saints at MetLife Stadium.
The 25-year-old undrafted free agent has handled the role well enough to keep getting the green light from head coach John Harbaugh after two strong outings against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 4 and on Sunday against the Commanders.
“He played well in the game the week before and he played well in this past game,” Harbaugh said. “Things he can do better, but things he did really well, and that’s what we based it on. We will for this week. He’ll be the starter.”
John-Michael Schmitz, who lost his starting job after going on paternity leave, “will still be in the plans,” Harbaugh added.
“He could play, but Huddy will be the starter,” Harbaugh said.
Hudson has earned an overall grade of 75.5 from Pro Football Focus, which ranks second among 34 qualified centers this season. He has allowed just one pressure and zero sacks in 156 offensive snaps. His pass-blocking grade of 78.7 ranks second among all NFL centers, and his run-blocking grade of 72.3 ranks seventh.
That bodes well for a good matchup on Sunday afternoon against the Saints. The NFC South side ranks in the bottom half of the NFL with 10 sacks this season. Only seven teams have a worse quarterback knockdown rate than their 7.8%, while their hurry percentage of 5.1% is tied for seventh-worst, and their pressure rate of 17.6% is fifth-worst.
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