And just like that, the 2023 NFL Draft is in the books. Per usual, it was a wild and unexpected ride, starting with all the Round 1 action. Day 2 and Day 3 delivered surprises of their own. Some teams capitalized on the opportunity, while others came up short. Let’s take a look at the 2023 NFL Draft recap, analysis, and grades for the New York Giants. NFL Draft analysts Andrew Erickson and Thor Nystrom combine to provide their thoughts below.
- NFL Draft Grades for Every Team
- Thor’s Draft Grades (AFC | NFC)
- NFL Draft Day 1 Winners & Losers (Day 2 | Day 3)
- Fitz’s Round 1 NFL Draft Picks: Dynasty Rookie Draft Outlook (Day 2 | Day 3)
- Latest Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft
2023 NFL Draft Recap, Analysis & Grades: New York Giants
NFL Draft analysts Andrew Erickson and Thor Nystrom combine to provide their thoughts below.
Thor Nystrom’s Overview & Grades
New York Giants | Draft Grade: B+
| Pick | Team | Position | Rank | Name | School | Comp |
| 24 | Giants | CB4 | 25 | Deonte Banks | Maryland | Eli Apple |
| 57 | Giants | OL4 | 37 | John Michael Schmitz | Minnesota | Dan Koppen |
| 73 | Giants | WR12 | 92 | Jalin Hyatt | Tennessee | John Ross |
| 172 | Giants | RB11 | 139 | Eric Gray | Oklahoma | Clyde Edwards-Helaire |
| 209 | Giants | CB48 | 368 | Tre Hawkins III | Old Dominion | William Bartee |
| 243 | Giants | DL39 | — | Jordon Riley | Oregon | Otito Ogbonnia |
| 254* | Giants | S15 | 201 | Gervarrius Owens | Houston | Eddie Jackson |
The Giants were so desperate for receiving help that, earlier in the process, a sportsbook dropped a prop that they’d take a first-round receiver at even-money odds against every other position.
The Giants, then, had to be heartsick when the consensus top-four WR went consecutively directly in front of their 1.25 pick. But when the NFL Draft gives you lemons, you need to make lemonade. So New York got to squeezin’.
The combination of that receiver run and the NFL artificially deflating the value of non-Devon Witherspoon first-round corners due to the depth of the class presented an unexpected opportunity: CB Deonte Banks, who had been mocked higher all spring, at 1.25. The Giants simply accepted the gift, plugging a different roster hole.
In Round 2, with that receiver hole still a glowing neon light, the Giants returned to the clock – with no obvious receiver to select. Once again, they didn’t panic or reach. Instead, they opened another present the NFL had gift-wrapped for them – C John Michael Schmidt. It was not a well-kept secret that the center-desperate Giants loved Schmidt during this process.
In mock drafts that mimicked the top-four-receivers-off-the-board-by-25 scenario that actually happened, Schmidt was a popular 1.25 pick for New York. Instead, the Giants saw the class’ best center fall into their lap a full round later.
In Round 3, the Giants finally needed to scratch that receiver itch. They took WR Jalin Hyatt. I wouldn’t have gone in that direction, but it wasn’t an egregious reach. Hyatt only brings one trick to the Big Apple, but it’s once-you-pop-the-top-you-can’t-stop neat one.
Day 3 wasn’t as much of a bonanza, but I did like New York’s pick of RB Eric Gray. Gray is small and isn’t an elite athlete, but he’s got a versatile skillset that stresses defenses. A similar back, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, went in the first round not so long ago.
Andrew Erickson’s Overview & Grades
The Giants gave up 25, 160 and 240 to move up one spot swapping one spot with Jacksonville. Big Blue had to get a shutdown perimeter cornerback as part of Don Martindale’s defense, and Deonte Banks fits the bill. His versatility, sure-tackling and strong measurables – 92nd percentile 40-yard dash, 97th percentile vertical jump and 98th percentile broad jump – will provide instant impact. Banks finished this past season eighth in yards per coverage snap (0.7) and fifth in pass-breakups per game among the 2023 CB class.
I was all over center John Michael Schmitz as a potential 1st-round target, so I was ecstatic at the value the Giants got selecting him in Round 2. He’s an immediate long-term starter and boosts the efficiency of the interior OL. JMS started 35 games at the college level and finished third among centers in his class in positive run when behind rate per Sports Info Solutions.
WR Jalin Hyatt going in Round 3…highway robbery. Absolutely love the selection, pairing Daniel Jones with another big-play WR weapon. New York apparently was willing to take Hyatt with their Round 2 pick, but rolled the dice hoping he would come back to them. After so many years of poor drafting, Big Blue has improved drastically under the new regime over the past two seasons.
FINAL DRAFT GRADE: A
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