The 2023 NFL draft reached its end on Saturday evening and for the New York Giants, they came away with an impressive seven-pick haul after a little wheeling and dealing.
The Giants traded up twice — first in Round 1 for cornerback Deonte Banks and then in Round 3 for wide receiver Jalin Hyatt. They also address other needs with center John Michael Schmitz and running back Eric Gray.
General manager Joe Schoen rounded things out with cornerback Tre Hawkins III, defensive tackle Jordon Riley, and safety Gervarrius Owens.
Here’s how NFL experts and analysts graded Big Blue’s full draft haul and multiple trades:
NFL.com: A-
What NFL.com had to say:
Banks is a fluid athlete outside with the potential to justify the trade up if his game matures. Schmitz quenches the Giants’ thirst for a very good starter in the pivot to help Daniel Jones continue his ascension. Hyatt is a late bloomer who is the exact vertical threat Jones and the offense needed.
Gray is a tough runner with receiving ability who will step up to spell Saquon Barkley and Matt Breida. Hawkins joins Banks as another needed athlete at cornerback, and Owens’ ability to cover ground and tackle were worthy of a top-150 pick at safety.
PFF: A+
What Pro Football Focus had to say:
The third-best cornerback on the PFF big board, Banks can fly and clocked a 4.35-second 40-yard dash at the scouting combine in Indianapolis. An elite athlete, he has proven that he can mirror wide receivers in college and has the size teams look for at the position. He produced a 72.0 PFF grade in his final season at Maryland, the best of his college career.
Hyatt won the Biletnikoff Award as the top wide receiver in college football, averaging 18.9 yards per reception and scoring 15 touchdowns. He is a burner on the outside that needs some refinement but has all the athletic ability necessary to excel at the next level. Hyatt’s 40-yard dash, vertical and broad jump were all above the 85th percentile. The Giants add a much-needed outside weapon for QB Daniel Jones.
Gray was really impressive in his final season of college, producing an elite 90.6 PFF grade in 2022. He graded well on both zone and gap plays, and while he’s a little on the small size, he moves really well, posting a 96.2 elusive rating that was one of the best marks in this running back class.
The Sporting News: A
What The Sporting News had to say:
The Giants were methodical about their needs, getting a big need at corner right away with an ace outside cover man in Banks. Schmitz, Hyatt and Gray were necessary boosts around Daniel Jones, including a sound interior blocker and big-play threat. They also got a key change-of-pace skilled receiving back as a contingency for Saquon Barkley.
Sports Illustrated: B+
What Sports Illustrated had to say:
The Giants pounced on Banks, a lengthy and athletic cornerback, and might have gotten a steal by adding Hyatt in the third round. Banks could form a solid cornerback duo with Adoree’ Jackson. Suddenly, quarterback Daniel Jones has an abundance of downfield threats with Hyatt, Darius Slayton and Parris Campbell. Jones also benefited with the addition of Schmitz, a powerful blocker who excels in the running game.
USA TODAY: C-
What Nate Davis of USA TODAY had to say:
Athletic first-round CB Deonte Banks and C John Michael Schmitz are probably upgrades at their respective positions. But as nice a player as Jalin Hyatt (Round 3) is, puzzling that GM Joe Schoen opted for another Smurf-ish receiver rather than finding QB Daniel Jones a rebounder.
Associated Press: A-
What the Associated Press had to say:
CB Deonte Banks (24) and OL John Michael Schmitz fill needs. Stole WR Jalin Hyatt in the third round.
ESPN: A-
What ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. had to say:
I mentioned this Friday night, but the Giants landed three of my top 45 prospects in the first two days of the draft. That’s impressive stuff from general manager Joe Schoen. Cornerback Deonte Banks (24) was consistently impressive when I watched his 2022 tape, and he stuck to receivers in man coverage. He is both experienced (he started eight games as a freshman) and toolsy (42-inch vertical leap at the combine). We can slot him in as a starter on the other side of Adoree’ Jackson.
John Michael Schmitz (57) is my top-ranked center, and he fills a huge hole. He’s going to start as a rookie. Coach Brian Daboll helped make a trade up for wideout Jalin Hyatt (73), whom I had rated as the No. 44 player in this class. You might remember Hyatt from his five touchdown catches against Alabama, and he can fly out of the slot. I was surprised he was still available in Round 3.
I like running back Eric Gray (172) as a potential steal on Day 3; he isn’t a burner, but he can be a one-cut back behind Saquon Barkley. Safety Gervarrius Owens is an intriguing flier in Round 7.
This class is lifted up by those first three picks, which all fit positions of need. Nice job by Schoen and Daboll.
The Ringer: A-
What The Ringer had to say:
The Giants added impact players with their first three picks, grabbing a high-energy cover corner in Maryland’s Deonte Banks, a day-one starting center in John Michael Schmitz, and a field-stretching big-play receiver in Jalin Hyatt. They also picked a solid backup running back in Eric Gray on day two. It’s not going to be a headline-grabbing group, necessarily, but New York got better over the weekend.
NBC Sports Edge: A-
What NBC Sports Edge had to say:
The holes I outlined for the Giants in my draft needs series were wide receiver, cornerback, and guard. The interior of their line needed revamped on the whole, so I’m comfortable rounding up and saying they went three-for-three on addressing their biggest issues. Drafting for need isn’t a magic bullet. If a team is passing on great players to fill holes, they will probably struggle in the long run. The Giants, however, got the 2022 Biletnikoff Award winner who went for over 1,200 yards as a junior in the third round. Lining up needs with values is the true gold mine.
Touchdown Wire: A
What Touchdown Wire had to say:
The first four picks of this draft alone should have fans of Big Blue doing handsprings and huzzahs. Defensive coordinator Wink Martindale dials up as much aggressive press coverage as anyone in the NFL, and Deonte Banks is absolutely the best press cornerback in this class. There are few better immediate fits between player and scheme in this entire class. John Michael Schmitz is a 10-year, plug-and-play starter in the middle of the offensive line; he’s a power blocker who reminds me of Alex Mack.
And how happy is Daniel Jones right now? He got his big contract, the Giants added Darren Waller and Parris Campbell in the offseason, and now, he’s got Jalin Hyatt to throw to, as well. Hyatt is a pure speed guy who can leverage defenders upfield even as he fills out his route palette. And Eric Gray is one of the more underrated backs in this class.
There was a lot to like about the Giants in Brian Daboll’s first season as head coach. Based on this draft, there should be even more in 2023.
