The New York Giants currently have nine selections in the 2022 NFL draft, and newly hired general manager Joe Schoen sees the value in each of those spots.
But does that mean Schoen is unwilling to wheel and deal? Not necessarily.
Although Schoen is adamant that he wants as many at-bats as possible, he’s leaving the door open to some potential trades. And that’s something that could go in either direction — up or down.
“I would say where we are right now, as many at-bats as you can get, as many swings as you can get, I think that’s important where we are as a team,” Schoen told Giants.com. “Again, I don’t think you’re ever one player away. But if it’s the second round and there’s a player you gave a first-round grade to and you think that highly of him, then I think you go get him.
“I’m open to moving up, moving back, whatever it may be, as long as I can sleep good at night with the decision that I make. If I move back and I end up losing out on a player I like, I have to be able to live with that, or stay and take a guy or go up and get him. Again, if you’re drafting good players and you’re confident and convicted in your decision, then you’ll sleep good at night.”
Given the Giants’ many needs and Schoen’s determination to clear $40 million in salary cap space, trading down as opposed to up seems more likely. If the Giants were able to trade down and add to their draft assets, it would provide Schoen a few more of those desired at-bats.
Still, there remains a possibility that Schoen will target a specific player early on that may require a trade up. After all, many of the top offensive tackles seems to be trending in a positive direction and there may be an early rush to draft them.
Either way, Schoen is determined to find players that fit a specific mold.
“Smart, tough and dependable,” Schoen said of the traits he weeks in prospects. “Guys that are smart, tough and dependable that care about football, that care about their teammates. It’s not so much about the glitz and the glamor that comes with it. But have some leadership to you when maybe things are going wrong or teammates aren’t doing it well, someone that will right the ship and get the team headed back in the right direction. Those are the types of players that we’re looking at.
“The more guys we get that buy into the culture and have the common goal of winning a championship in mind, and through our process are paying attention to that on a daily basis, the better off we’re going to be.”
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