East Rutherford, NJ - The New York Giants signed tackle and the ninth overall pick in the NFL Draft, Ereck Flowers, on Thursday.

The Miami-Florida product, who did not use an agent to strike the deal, is slotted to be the starting left tackle on opening day after Will Beatty tore his pectoral muscle lifting weights on May 18.

"We like him as a future left tackle of the New York Giants," offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo said. "I am very comfortable with him being out there right now. Nothing is ever set in stone. We look forward to getting back here in camp and seeing him jump in there right from the beginning and give a run at it."

Flowers may potentially be the third rookie to start on the Giants' offensive line in as many years, joining Justin Pugh (2013) and Weston Richburg (2014). New York begins the season in Dallas on Sept. 13.