Giants GM dismisses the importance of high draft grades

The New York Giants entered the 2023 NFL Draft with holes at cornerback, center and wide receiver, which GM Joe Schoen swiftly filled, earning widespread praise in the process.

Regardless, Schoen made it clear during his post-draft news conference that while it appears he made sound selections, there is much more to success than what looks good on paper.

"You don't win games in April," Schoen said. "The social media rankings and everything like that, you know, it's about what we do this fall and how we go out there and compete when it matters and how we continue to build this offseason and get bigger, faster, stronger, through our strength program and then how we prepare and execute in August, I think there's a process." 

"And do I like some of the guys we drafted? Yeah," he continued. "But still, like [HC Brian Daboll] said, you know, in this press conference, every year is different, and the team has got to gel, and we have got to build chemistry. We have to stay healthy. There's a lot that goes into it."

New York started its draft by trading up one spot to select Maryland cornerback Deonte Banks 24th overall. On Day 2, the Giants drafted two more likely starters: Minnesota center John Michael Schmitz (No. 57) and Tennessee WR Jalin Hyatt, who they traded up for at pick 73.

Schoen wrapped up the draft with selections of Oklahoma RB Eric Gray, Old Dominion CB Tre Hawkins III, Oregon DT Jordon Riley and Houston safety Gervarrius Owens on Day 3.

The quality of talent Schoen collected earned New York an "A+" draft grade from Pro Football Focus, one of just five teams to earn such a high mark. Additionally, ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. gave the team's draft class his fourth-highest grade, lauding the selections of Banks, Schmitz and Hyatt, three of his top 45 prospects.  

Value-wise, the Schmitz and Hyatt selections stand out as the top picks of New York's draft class and have drawn the highest reviews. Sharp Football Analysis' Warren Sharp pointed out a metric that shows what a bargain the picks were and the class as a whole.

Based on "Draft Capital Over Expectation," which analyzes selections based on research and predraft projections from multiple outlets, the Giants earned a score of -3.6. In other words, New York selected its draft choices a collective 3.6 rounds later than expected. DCOE's data also considers Schmitz and Hyatt as two of the best value picks in rounds 2 and 3.