By Michael Stewart@TheTruthNYG
New York Giants GM Joe Schoen had 10 picks when the draft began and when the dust settled the Giants ended up with 7 picks. Last season, Schoen traded back twice in the 2nd round, but in the 2023 draft, he traded up twice in consecutive Days to secure the player the Giants were targeting. I’ll examine each player and give my final grade for each pick and an overall grade as well.
Round 1-Deonte Banks (CB): GM Joe Schoen aggressively moved up 1 spot to secure the talented press corner out of Maryland as it was rumored that the Dallas Cowboys who were picking one spot behind the Giants wanted to leap-frog the Giants again as they did in the 2021 draft. Banks gives the Giants a day 1 starter opposite Adoree’ Jackson. Banks fits perfectly into DC Wink Martindale’s system. GRADE A+
Round 2-John Michael-Schmitz (C): The Board fell into the Giants favor in round 2 as Schoen waited patiently to get arguably the best center in the draft in John Michael-Schmitz. Michael-Schmitz will more than likely start on day 1 and gives the Giants that anchor at the center position they lacked in 2022. GRADE A+
Round 3-Jalin Hyatt (WR): Giants were scheduled to pick at #89 in round 3, but Schoen aggressively moved up 15 spots at #73 to select the most explosive WR in college football in 2022 in Jalin Hyatt. Hyatt will give the Giants that consistent vertical threat that the team lacked in 2022. GRADE A
Round 5-Eric Gray (RB): After trading away round 4 to move up in round 3, Schoen added another weapon for the Giants offense in Eric Gray. Gray is an elusive back who excels between the tackles and also give the Giants a weapon in the passing game. GRADE B+
Round 6-Tre Hawkins (CB): Hawkins plays a very physical game and will compete for a roster spot for the 53-man roster. GRADE B-
Round 7-Jordon Riley (DT): Riley is a pure run stuffer and nothing more with his massive size (6’5/335) and he will compete for a spot along the defensive line. GRADE C+
Round 7-Gervarrius Owens (S): Owens plays a physical game and will compete for a roster spot at safety. Owens will need to display solid special team’s ability to give him a chance to make the 53-man roster. GRADE C-
The Giants currently have 89 players after signing 7 additional players through the UDFA phase. Joe Schoen will continue to look for talent and the roster we have today will more than likely not be the same we’ll have on opening day. Overall, I feel GM Joe Schoen achieved what he wanted in the draft and that is to add talent to the Giants roster and on paper, this team looks better as of today. However, games are played on the field and time will tell just how successful this draft was. For now, I will give it a GRADE of A-.