The Giants made use of their draft capital on Thursday, trading up to pick Maryland cornerback Deonte Banks with the 24th pick in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
“Can’t have enough good corners,” coach Brian Daboll said. “It’s a passing league.”
In dealing away a fifth-round pick and another in the seventh round to the Jaguars to move up a spot to snag Banks, the Giants brought in another toy for defensive coordinator Wink Martindale to use.
“You guys know Wink’s defense and what he likes,” GM Joe Schoen said. “Deonte fits that mold to a ‘T.’ He was ecstatic.”
Schoen has been adamant about the franchise sticking to its plan, despite a surprising playoff win last season.
Still, with seven more picks to go on the weekend, Big Blue will have to fill a few more organizational holes, namely try to find some value at wide receiver.
“The offense has a very defined plan on how they are going to utilize certain positions, and it makes it easy to go scout players for them,” Schoen said this week. “We are going through all those players regardless of position, regardless of what they look like physically, and trying to figure out what their fit would be with the team and what their role would be.”
The GM will have to figure that out with three picks on Friday and four more on Saturday.
Round 1, Pick 24 (No. 24 overall)
Big (6-2, 205), physical corner who is adept at press man coverage. Should be an ideal fit in Wink Martindale’s aggressive defense. Only had two interceptions in his four-year college career. Has the skill-set to be a perimeter player and the Giants feel he will be able to match up with opposing receivers in one-on-one situations.
Banks earned the fourth-highest athleticism score of any cornerback prospect at the scouting combine over the last decade.
To move up one spot, the Giants sent a fifth round pick (No. 160 overall) and a seventh round pick (No. 240 overall) to the Jaguars. That leaves the Giants with a total of eight picks in this draft. — Paul Schwartz
Round 2, Pick 26 (No. 57 overall)
John Michael Schmitz, C, Minnesota
No need for a position change with this guy. He is a center through and through. A four-year starter for the Golden Gophers, all-Big Ten selection the past three seasons. At 6-3 and 301 pounds, has good size and fits with the “smart, tough, dependable’’ requirements coach Brian Daboll has for his players. Will need to improve on his one-on-one pass blocking techniques. Considers himself “nasty’’ on the field. Prefers to go by “John Michael’’ as his first name. — Paul Schwartz
Round 3, Pick 10 (No. 73 overall)**
Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee
Hyatt was a player many thought would be off the board before this. The Giants felt this way as well, which is why they felt it was necessary to move up 16 spots. Hyatt at 6-foot and 185 has good size and great speed that should make him an immediate deep threat for Daniel Jones. — Paul Schwartz
Round 5, Pick 37 (No. 172 overall)*
In 2022, he rushed for 1,366 yards — averaging 6.4 yards per carry — with 11 touchdowns. He also caught 33 passes for 229 yards. At 5-foot-9 and 207 pounds, Gray is built like a tank with huge thighs, giving him something in common with Saquon Barkley.
Round 6, Pick 32 (No. 209 overall)
This past season, Hawkins had 57 tackles, eight passes defensed, three fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles and two interceptions in 2022. His value was helped when he ran 3.39 in the 40-yard dash at his Pro Day in March.
From Kansas City for the Kadarius Toney trade.
Round 7, Pick 26 (No. 243 overall)
Jordon Riley, DT, Oregon
Riley is massive at 6-foot-5, 338 pounds with plenty of intangibles. Played at North Carolina and then Nebraska before finishing off his college career with the Ducks. Had 21 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and one-half sack in 13 games in 2022.
Round 7, Pick 37 (No. 254 overall)*
Gervarrius Owens, S, Houston
Four-year starter and a team captain. Has some experience at cornerback and has potential to be a player working as a big nickel. His 2022 production: 74 tackles, eight pass breakups, two ford fumbles and one interception.
*Compensatory pick
** Rams trade pick. No 73 to Giants for New York’s No.s 89 and 128.
