The New York Giants came out of nowhere with Brian Daboll, Mike Kafka, and Wink Martindale a season ago. With clear needs entering the 2023 NFL Draft, what do the Giants’ grades tell us about how well they attacked their needs with the players Joe Schoen selected?
New York Giants NFL Draft Grades
Round 1, Pick 24: Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland
Sometimes, things just make sense. After the run on wide receivers, it made sense for the Giants to shift their focus to the guys that cover them. Wink Martindale’s defense needs CBs who can line up in press and be reactive athletes in man coverage. That is exactly what Deonte Banks brings to the New York Giants’ defense.
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But that’s not all he brings. Banks is an absolute dog against the run. He’s more than willing to fill a gap and take on a pulling lineman, and he loves smacking receivers in the mouth. There’s even video evidence of him pressing a receiver into the backfield. Banks must improve his consistency in the way he processes information in zone coverage, and he needs to stay healthy as well. But he is a great fit in New York.
Grade: A
Round 2, Pick 57: John Michael Schmitz, C, Minnesota
The Giants are crushing the 2023 NFL Draft thus far. New York had a massive need at the center position, and John Michael Schmitz makes a ton of sense for them. He possesses outstanding athleticism and an NFL-quality frame.
Schmitz has fantastic hands, and although he lacks the kind of length that many teams covet, he does a fine job of not letting his anatomical length hurt him too much. As long as he keeps his lower half moving, Schmitz is a fantastic run blocker.
Grade: A
Round 3, Pick 73: Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee
The Giants certainly have a type at wide receiver. Parris Campbell and Isaiah Hodgins both have some size, but the rest of their depth chart is undersized. Jalin Hyatt is the only one that is a pure, unadulterated speed threat, which was a massive need for New York.
Hyatt has an extra gear from any other receiver in this draft class. He won’t be a dangerous runner after the catch consistently. However, he’s a great fit to use as a slot receiver who creates space offensively with his speed, opening the middle of the field for Campbell and Hodgins.
Grade: A
Round 5, Pick 172: Eric Gray, RB, Oklahoma
The Giants’ depth chart behind Saquon Barkley is anything but stellar, and Eric Gray is one of the more underrated backs in an incredibly talented class.
Grade: A
Round 6, Pick 209: Tre Hawkins, DB, Old Dominion
The Old Dominion cornerback could be a safety convert at the next level, but we’ll have to wait and see what happens in New York. Tre Hawkins‘ speed and explosiveness could make him a weapon on special teams.
Grade: C
Round 7, Pick 243: Jordon Riley, DT, Oregon
Jordon Riley is a big run stuffer, who likely won’t move the needle as someone who gets a ton of snaps, but he could see the field in short-yardage situations as a true nose tackle.
Grade: C
Round 7, Pick 254: Gervarrius Owens, S, Houston
It’s never a bad idea to add a special teamer or two late in the draft, and that’s exactly what the Giants can expect to get from Gervarrius Owens, who is also a bit of a value pick as our 207th-overall prospect.
Grade: B
What Were the Giants’ Biggest Needs Entering the Draft?
- CB, S, C, G, WR
The New York Football Giants have more wide receivers than I have t-shirts, but they still need a No. 1 guy to take pressure off the rest of the passing attack. However, they have more pressing needs.
To run Wink Martindale’s aggressive man-heavy defense, they absolutely need to upgrade at CB. Adding a legitimate free safety wouldn’t hurt, either. Meanwhile, the interior of New York’s offensive line remains questionable.