After each New York Giants pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, we polled Big Blue View readers for their ratings. Chris Pflum offered his pick-by-pick notes. We have compiled ratings from national analysts. Now, let’s poll the entire BBV editorial team on what they liked, what they didn’t like, and their overall ratings.
Nick Falato
What I liked : The aggressiveness of Joe Schoen to find players who make the difference with his three best selections. Schoen traded a spot in the first round to secure Maryland cornerback Deonte Banks, who fits Wink Martindale’s press man defense like a perfectly suited suit. He then packed picks No. 89 and 128 to jump to pick No. 73 to secure Tennessee wide receiver — and 2022 Biletnikoff Award winner — Jalin Hyatt.
This class of draft was, in many ways, neither the best nor the deepest. In 2022, Schoen traded multiple times for more assets to complete a barren list, but did the opposite in 2023; he got value in needy positions and found three possible starters for the 2023 season. Schoen also showed patience while waiting for Minnesota center John Michael Schmitz at the No. 57 pick.
The Giants received three players who, at one time or another, would have been their No. 25 pick — that’s just great value. I also appreciate the late selections. Eric Gray could help form a committee if Saquon Barkley leaves after 2023. Gray will also have a role in Year One; I love his vision, short distance athleticism and positive receiving side.
Schoen bet on traits with Tre Hawkins III and Jordon Riley. The former is a longtime physical cornerback who spent two years at Old Dominion, and the latter is a massive defensive lineman who has played in four different college football programs. He was most recently with Oregon.
I can see the idea of both of them being roles in year one, but they have to earn their spot on the roster, which isn’t a certainty. Riley will likely be competing against 2022 fifth-round pick DJ Davidson. Houston safety Gervarrius Owens has range, is explosive and has defended 22 passes in college. He must correct his tackle if he wants to see the field. Overall, the Giants have found at least three solid players who will contribute freshman to needy positions.
What I did not like : The Eagles, that’s what I didn’t like. The addition of four more Bulldogs in IDL Jalen Carter, edge defenseman Nolan Smith, CB Keele Ringo and RB D’Andre Swift in a trade with the Lions just bolstered their roster already in Super Bowl contention now and for the ‘coming. Winning the NFC East is usually the first step to lasting success, which helps teams achieve their ultimate goal of winning it all. The NFC East is currently going through Philadelphia.
However, there hasn’t been a back-to-back winner in the NFC East since 2005, so we know it’s a feisty division, and Brian Daboll will have his team prepared. Also, due to trades, which I support, the Giants were unable to complete some positions that required depth (edge and linebacker, in particular). However, that is what free agency is for.
Grade: A
Chris Pflum
What I liked : The Giants have improved. Joe Schoen was praised for the value he got in this draft, largely because of the top three picks. He made a pair of trades to secure Deonte Banks and Jalin Hyatt, but they were pretty strong outliers on the Big Board when they were caught. The Giants got our (per the Big Blue View Big Board) CB 3, iOL 2, WR 6 and RB 11, as the fourth CB taken, fourth iOL taken, 10th WR taken and 11th RB taken. All in all, these are solid values. The other thing that stands out for me is that the high tier of the players selected. John Michael Schmitz and Eric Gray are going to be solid players, even if they are never spectacular. Banks and Hyatt have the ability to produce right away, and while they’re riding the rookie roller coaster, they’ll be average assets while they learn the intricacies of their positions.
What I did not like : The Giants still seem to lack depth, at least on paper in April, and more picks would have helped fill out the roster.
This is the opportunity cost of these upside trades, especially when compared to a downside trade. Schoen was unable to add an edge defenseman or linebacker in the draft, or add a long-range safety. They also only have two quarterbacks on the roster, both of whom have struggled with injuries throughout their careers and Tyrod Taylor will be a free agent after this season. Even though the Giants didn’t trade, there were some good players who left the roster in the 100 picks between their third- and fifth-round picks. Each selection is a lottery ticket, and generally more tickets result in more winnings.
Joe Schoen approached the draft as if the Giants were already deep (in the manner of the Chiefs and Eagles). We’ll see if this strategy pays off or if the lack of depth haunts them.
Grade: A-
Tony Del Genio
What I liked : For me, Days 1 and 2 of the draft were as good as they could be given the circumstances the Giants faced. They managed to fill three of their biggest holes with potential impact players. I love Deonte Banks’ selection, and if the Giants were convinced enough of him over Joey Porter Jr. to give up two low picks, I’m comfortable with them to guarantee it. If Banks becomes a closed cornerback, the effect on Wink Martindale’s defense will be worth it. Waiting for John Michael Schmitz to come to them in Round 2 after Joe Tippmann made 14 picks earlier was a gamble that worked and is a big step toward a solid O line. Getting it at No. 57 is good value. The trade in round 3 was about even in what they paid for what they got back in draft position. Doing it for an explosive but raw wide receiver in Jalin Hyatt, who was ranked much higher in the big boards, is excellent. To top it all off, Eric Gray’s round 5 selection was very good value – elusive, blasting through holes to the second tier, and good enough speed to make chunky plays. He also returns punts.
What I did not like : I was disappointed the Giants didn’t draft a point defenseman or linebacker with one of their three remaining picks, but that’s the price you pay (giving up mid-round picks) to get Banks and Hyatt. It looks like the Giants are signing UDFAs at both positions. There are also still free agents there.
Grade: A
Council of Rivka
What I liked : The Giants’ first three picks knocked him out of the park. Deonte Banks was considered one of the top four corners who would be off the board before the Giants picked. Catching him at No. 24, even though they had to trade to make it, was worthy of the bear hug Wink Martindale gave Joe Schoen. Cornerback has a steeper learning curve than some other positions, but Banks should be an immediate upgrade from the revolving door the Giants had in that position last season. Getting John Michael Schmitz at No. 57 was a home run. He will make life a lot easier for Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley. As Brian Daboll said, the team loves his courage. Jalin Hyatt isn’t a perfect receiver and has a lot of work to do, but his deep-playing ability will open up space for other Giants targets. Getting him into the third round was a steal. I also loved the Eric Gray choice; I think it will allow Barkley to take more breaths and balance big plays with grinding hard yards.
What I did not like : I don’t think there were too many things I didn’t like about the Giants draft. The only thing I wish they had done was have a higher ceiling player somewhere along the defensive line. Jordon Riley is a big body, but he doesn’t seem to be doing too well. The temporary measures put in place by Schoen for the defensive line will leave the team in need the next offseason.
Grade: A
Jeremy Portnoy
What I liked : Value. Although I came to Dave Gettleman’s overall record in the draft, it’s still refreshing to believe the moment the Giants got good value from each of their top picks. It was unreasonable to expect any of New York’s top three picks in this draft to fall further than them. I was also impressed with the focus on high-level prospects, as the roster still needs foundational pieces. Deonte Banks’ issues are more about style of play than anything set in stone, and I trust the Giants coaching staff to resolve them. And John Michael Schmitz and others in the class are sure bets to be at least solid contributors.
What I did not like : It’s hard to find anything to complain about in this project. Once the Jets took center Joe Tippmann, I desperately wanted the Giants to trade John Michael Schmitz a bit to make sure they came away with a top center. Obviously that’s not a real review, since Joe Schoen was rewarded for sitting at #57. take. I’m not as enamored with the Jalin Hyatt selection as most – he wasn’t drafted to be a true No. 1 receiver, and New York may do better to invest the project capital in another post until they find someone who is – but I can’t deny the value of taking it in the third round.
Grade: A-
Valentine’s View
What I liked : It’s easy to praise the top three picks – Deonte Banks, John Michael Schmitz, Jalin Hyatt. These choices garner almost universal praise. I like the way Joe Schoen got more value than the expected draft slot than any other GM with their chosen players.
What I really liked, however, was Schoen’s aggressiveness. His approach. Its planning. In two drafts, Schoen showed a willingness to back down (2022) as he felt a thin roster needed more bodies and, in 2023, a willingness to use additional draft resources to snag players. he had targeted, players who could turn into difference-makers. By the way, these types of players are something the Giants badly need if they ever want to catch the Eagles in the NFC East. Yes, it is generally better to trade down rather than up. However, picking late, with extra picks and a need for difference makers made it a place where trading was – for me – an acceptable risk.
I like that what Schoen did over the weekend, all offseason, should boost the confidence of Giants fans that they have a general manager who knows what he’s doing.
What I did not like : Everything I say here is really just a quibble, not a real complaint. It would have been nice to add something to the tight, edge and off-ball linebacker positions. Still, rounds 5-7, you’re talking about players who may never regularly contribute beyond special teams anyway.
Grade: A
#Giants #NFL #Draft #ratings #BBV #writers #didnt #Giants #draft