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We are one week away from the NFL Draft festivities getting underway in Green Bay, Wis. That's seven days until the New York Giants can begin charting a course for how their future will look.
General manager Joe Schoen has eight picks at his disposal to improve the Giants. Not every selection is going to turn into an All-Pro, of course, but Big Blue must come away with a handful of starters and reliable pieces to continue strengthening the roster in a critical Year 4 for Schoen and coach Brian Daboll.
The Giants are looking to build on the foundation laid by their best draft class in more than a decade.
So what does a "best-case" scenario look like for the Giants? Here's a 10-step path toward getting the most out of the draft and maximizing the situation for a franchise desperate to turn a corner:
This one, after a complicated process, will likely be as simple as it gets. The Browns are reportedly weighing whether to select Colorado's Travis Hunter, the Heisman-winning two-way star, or Penn State's dynamic pass rusher Abdul Carter. They've been considered the two best non-QB prospects in the class with the highest expectation of becoming franchise-changing talents. The Giants have done extensive work on both players, and for a while it appeared Carter was heading to Cleveland, right around the time Hunter came to East Rutherford on his pre-draft visit.
Then, after the recency buzz about Hunter picked up at Colorado's Pro Day, the outside speculation for the Giants shifted to Carter. Two days later, Daboll was in State College having breakfast with the skilled outside linebacker. Carter got a clean bill of health at the Combine medical re-checks on his foot injury - his stress reaction was healing - and that preceded his visit with the Giants at their facility last Friday.
"We like our options," Schoen said Wednesday. "We like who will be there."
He should. Now, onto the quarterback question.
While Schoen indicated Wednesday that selecting a quarterback was not "mandatory," with Russell Wilson, Jameis Winston and Tommy DeVito already at the position. This isn't just a quest about this season, though, and Schoen knows it.
"Where we are, yeah, you'd like to have a young franchise quarterback," Schoen said. "I think everybody general manager would be. Everybody wants that. But the value has to be right or it doesn't matter. You get that one wrong - you've just got to get that right. When you’re in position to get the right one at the right time, that's when you pull the trigger."
Is that time now? As an organization, the Giants are certainly operating that way.
The Giants' contingent heading to Colorado left the facility Wednesday afternoon once Schoen finished up his pre-draft presser on a three-day jaunt for QB private workouts with Shedeur Sanders, Jalen Milroe and Tyler Shough, sources told NorthJersey.com and The Record.
The plan is for the group to get to Boulder and meet up with Sanders Wednesday night for dinner, workout Thursday. Then the group heads off to Bama for the same deal with Milroe, then Shough.
It's not difficult to see how two players [Hunter and Carter] would have higher grades than Sanders or the other QBs, but Sanders or another QB would have a high enough grade for them to consider trading back up.
Then you'd have both players. The potential sweet spots for trades: Atlanta at 15, Denver at 20 and Minnesota at 24.
This is such a deep class of defensive linemen rich with talent, and it's beyond time that the Giants find someone to take some pressure off Dexter Lawrence while magnifying his production. A rookie getting the chance to attack single blocks thanks to Lawrence's presence is a lottery ticket. Depending on what the Giants do with 34 - which they likely would have to part with for any deal up for a QB - the two third-round picks [65 and 99] with a chance at finding a 3-technique such as Toledo's Darius Alexander would be a significant get.
Schoen has promised that he would not be reckless in the face of perceived pressure to nail this draft and ultimately keep his job. Ownership never put out an ultimatum, with co-owner John Mara's only suggestion after last year's 3-14 campaign was that he wanted to feel better about the results and the situation.
There's one thing to rely on a Hail Mary, which Schoen insisted he won't do, and completely another to be aggressive and meet the moment. The Giants can't be afraid to go for it.
The Giants brought in six running backs for pre-draft visits in East Rutherford, and it's part the product of a deep and talented class at the position. Here's the thing: the initial intent should be to find a back skilled enough to complement Tracy, who showed promise as a rookie. That's today's NFL. Now, imagine if they hit on the pick so well - Iowa's Kaleb Johnson visited and impressed - that the rookie becomes the lead and Tracy the complement. There is value here for the Giants to turn this position into a strength before too long.
The Giants could really use a high level guard that could push last year's starters on the interior. There is reason to believe team brass will take a few swings at the line, adding to the depth of the position, especially at tackle, the lack of which has wrecked whatever plans they had at the start of the last two seasons. Going for one potential starter on Day 2 [Purdue's Marcus Mbow] and a potential building block on Day 3 such as Rutgers tackle Hollin Pierce.
The Giants have shown some interest in tight end prospects, so adding a tight end on Day 2 or 3 is not so farfetched. A foot injury ended Johnson's rookie season just when he was getting going, so there are big plans for the former Penn State star heading into this year. Manhertz was a solid contributor last season. Bellinger's role was limited at times last year. Dulcich joined the team late, so it'll be interesting to see if he can show something this summer. Someone to consider: Miami's Elijah Arroyo, who visited.
Texas star Andrew Mukuba was an interesting visitor to the Giants. The Clemson transfer proved with the Longhorns that he can be a playmaker on the back end. With the Giants signing Jevon Holland and drafting Tyler Nubin in the second round last year, it'll be interesting to see where they'd slot in a potential third safety. But make no mistake: Mukuba can contribute in a variety of ways. He's shown great instincts and awareness with zone concepts and would fit in nickel and dime packages due to his versatility and an ability to adapt. Tremendous Day 3 value if he's still on the board and might prove to be better in coverage than Dane Belton.
The Giants would be wise to back themselves up at the position they don't draft at No. 3. The numbers are higher in the secondary with the addition of free agents Paulson Adebo and Holland. But in this league, it's never a bad thing to add pieces into the coverage. If the Giants don't get Carter, getting another edge at value - Georgia's Chaz Chambliss is a non-Combine invitee who Big Blue has done work on - is an important step for this defense.
The Giants could add a receiver on Day 3, and it would be interesting if Travis Hunter winds up as the pick at No. 3. He'd likely have a role in certain packages on offense while playing full-time at cornerback. They'd likely be looking at developmental prospects who could grow into more prominent roles as the season progresses. Some names that fit the bill: Virginia Tech's Jaylin Lane, Colorado's Will Sheppard and Maryland's Tai Felton.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: How NY Giants can ace 2025 NFL Draft: 10 best-case scenarios
Continue reading...
General manager Joe Schoen has eight picks at his disposal to improve the Giants. Not every selection is going to turn into an All-Pro, of course, but Big Blue must come away with a handful of starters and reliable pieces to continue strengthening the roster in a critical Year 4 for Schoen and coach Brian Daboll.
The Giants are looking to build on the foundation laid by their best draft class in more than a decade.
So what does a "best-case" scenario look like for the Giants? Here's a 10-step path toward getting the most out of the draft and maximizing the situation for a franchise desperate to turn a corner:
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1. Draft Travis Hunter or Abdul Carter at No. 3
This one, after a complicated process, will likely be as simple as it gets. The Browns are reportedly weighing whether to select Colorado's Travis Hunter, the Heisman-winning two-way star, or Penn State's dynamic pass rusher Abdul Carter. They've been considered the two best non-QB prospects in the class with the highest expectation of becoming franchise-changing talents. The Giants have done extensive work on both players, and for a while it appeared Carter was heading to Cleveland, right around the time Hunter came to East Rutherford on his pre-draft visit.
Then, after the recency buzz about Hunter picked up at Colorado's Pro Day, the outside speculation for the Giants shifted to Carter. Two days later, Daboll was in State College having breakfast with the skilled outside linebacker. Carter got a clean bill of health at the Combine medical re-checks on his foot injury - his stress reaction was healing - and that preceded his visit with the Giants at their facility last Friday.
"We like our options," Schoen said Wednesday. "We like who will be there."
He should. Now, onto the quarterback question.
2. Take a swing at a franchise quarterback - be bold if needed!
While Schoen indicated Wednesday that selecting a quarterback was not "mandatory," with Russell Wilson, Jameis Winston and Tommy DeVito already at the position. This isn't just a quest about this season, though, and Schoen knows it.
"Where we are, yeah, you'd like to have a young franchise quarterback," Schoen said. "I think everybody general manager would be. Everybody wants that. But the value has to be right or it doesn't matter. You get that one wrong - you've just got to get that right. When you’re in position to get the right one at the right time, that's when you pull the trigger."
Is that time now? As an organization, the Giants are certainly operating that way.
The Giants' contingent heading to Colorado left the facility Wednesday afternoon once Schoen finished up his pre-draft presser on a three-day jaunt for QB private workouts with Shedeur Sanders, Jalen Milroe and Tyler Shough, sources told NorthJersey.com and The Record.
The plan is for the group to get to Boulder and meet up with Sanders Wednesday night for dinner, workout Thursday. Then the group heads off to Bama for the same deal with Milroe, then Shough.
It's not difficult to see how two players [Hunter and Carter] would have higher grades than Sanders or the other QBs, but Sanders or another QB would have a high enough grade for them to consider trading back up.
Then you'd have both players. The potential sweet spots for trades: Atlanta at 15, Denver at 20 and Minnesota at 24.
3. Go big [on defense], young men
This is such a deep class of defensive linemen rich with talent, and it's beyond time that the Giants find someone to take some pressure off Dexter Lawrence while magnifying his production. A rookie getting the chance to attack single blocks thanks to Lawrence's presence is a lottery ticket. Depending on what the Giants do with 34 - which they likely would have to part with for any deal up for a QB - the two third-round picks [65 and 99] with a chance at finding a 3-technique such as Toledo's Darius Alexander would be a significant get.
4. Always keep the future in mind, but don't hold back
Schoen has promised that he would not be reckless in the face of perceived pressure to nail this draft and ultimately keep his job. Ownership never put out an ultimatum, with co-owner John Mara's only suggestion after last year's 3-14 campaign was that he wanted to feel better about the results and the situation.
There's one thing to rely on a Hail Mary, which Schoen insisted he won't do, and completely another to be aggressive and meet the moment. The Giants can't be afraid to go for it.
5. Don't be afraid to bolster a Tyrone Tracy-led backfield
The Giants brought in six running backs for pre-draft visits in East Rutherford, and it's part the product of a deep and talented class at the position. Here's the thing: the initial intent should be to find a back skilled enough to complement Tracy, who showed promise as a rookie. That's today's NFL. Now, imagine if they hit on the pick so well - Iowa's Kaleb Johnson visited and impressed - that the rookie becomes the lead and Tracy the complement. There is value here for the Giants to turn this position into a strength before too long.
6. Invest in the offensive line for the future
The Giants could really use a high level guard that could push last year's starters on the interior. There is reason to believe team brass will take a few swings at the line, adding to the depth of the position, especially at tackle, the lack of which has wrecked whatever plans they had at the start of the last two seasons. Going for one potential starter on Day 2 [Purdue's Marcus Mbow] and a potential building block on Day 3 such as Rutgers tackle Hollin Pierce.
7. Give Theo Johnson a running mate at tight end
The Giants have shown some interest in tight end prospects, so adding a tight end on Day 2 or 3 is not so farfetched. A foot injury ended Johnson's rookie season just when he was getting going, so there are big plans for the former Penn State star heading into this year. Manhertz was a solid contributor last season. Bellinger's role was limited at times last year. Dulcich joined the team late, so it'll be interesting to see if he can show something this summer. Someone to consider: Miami's Elijah Arroyo, who visited.
8. Is there a third safety to join Jevon Holland and Tyler Nubin?
Texas star Andrew Mukuba was an interesting visitor to the Giants. The Clemson transfer proved with the Longhorns that he can be a playmaker on the back end. With the Giants signing Jevon Holland and drafting Tyler Nubin in the second round last year, it'll be interesting to see where they'd slot in a potential third safety. But make no mistake: Mukuba can contribute in a variety of ways. He's shown great instincts and awareness with zone concepts and would fit in nickel and dime packages due to his versatility and an ability to adapt. Tremendous Day 3 value if he's still on the board and might prove to be better in coverage than Dane Belton.
9. You never have enough pass rushers [or corners]
The Giants would be wise to back themselves up at the position they don't draft at No. 3. The numbers are higher in the secondary with the addition of free agents Paulson Adebo and Holland. But in this league, it's never a bad thing to add pieces into the coverage. If the Giants don't get Carter, getting another edge at value - Georgia's Chaz Chambliss is a non-Combine invitee who Big Blue has done work on - is an important step for this defense.
10. Don't stand pat at wide receiver
The Giants could add a receiver on Day 3, and it would be interesting if Travis Hunter winds up as the pick at No. 3. He'd likely have a role in certain packages on offense while playing full-time at cornerback. They'd likely be looking at developmental prospects who could grow into more prominent roles as the season progresses. Some names that fit the bill: Virginia Tech's Jaylin Lane, Colorado's Will Sheppard and Maryland's Tai Felton.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: How NY Giants can ace 2025 NFL Draft: 10 best-case scenarios
Continue reading...
