Those in the know do not put up much of a squawk when acknowledging the widely agreed-upon axiom that it takes three years to accurately assess an NFL draft. But who among us has that much patience?
In addition to impressing so many around the NFL with the way they worked the first three rounds this year, the Giants accomplished something even more noteworthy: They impressed themselves.
At this point, before any of their rookies has ever taken the field alongside the veterans for an organized team activity practice — that arrives this week — the Giants are thrilled that they decided to trade up one spot in the first round to get cornerback Deonte Banks. Consider that move the appetizer for the full course that was served up next.
The Giants are on record admitting they considered wide receiver Jalin Hyatt from Tennessee with the No. 57-overall pick and that they pretty much considered it an either/or deal when they selected center John Michael Schmitz in the second round. That they selected Schmitz then somehow maneuvered their way to claim Hyatt by trading up from No. 89 to No. 73 could in time be anointed as a bold draft day move that becomes part of Giants lore.
Perhaps we will not have to wait three years to make that determination. Perhaps it becomes evident as early as this season that trading up for Banks, taking Schmitz and trading way up for Hyatt was a trifecta that greatly and immediately enhanced the roster.
The drama and intrigue of those first three rounds was showcased expertly in the latest episode of “Giants Life’’ entitled “The Process.’’ Of course, no team is going to produce and release a video that shows anarchy and panic in their draft room. There will be edits to make sure what needed to be left in the room stayed in the room.
Still, pulling back the curtain, as far as the Giants allowed us to see, revealed one aspect of this organization’s template that bodes well for now and well into the future: The Joe Schoen-Brian Daboll pairing, even behind the scene, is strong and real and genuine.
How about the interplay between Schoen and Daboll at one of the most tense moments in the Giants’ three-day draft experience? With the Giants’ second-round pick at No. 57 overall was approaching, Schoen said, “We’ll go Schmitz or Hyatt,’’ before hearing the Jaguars traded away pick No. 56 to the Bears. “Oh, f–k,’’ Schoen said. “They came up in front of us for somebody.’’
Schoen stood up, pushed his chair into the table and looked crushed, figuring the Bears were going to take Schmitz.
“Then we’re taking Hyatt,’’ Daboll said, matter-of-factly. “We’re getting one of the two, so f–k it. Either way it will help us. One is fast and the other will start at center. It’s all good.’’
Schoen smiled and put his arm on Daboll’s shoulder. “I love the optimism, yeah!’’ Schoen said.
Daboll, with a slightly bemused expression, then said, “Here we go … drumroll,’’ and made a drum roll noise with his lips.
The Bears selected Tyrique Stevenson from Miami.
“Oh, the corner?’’ Schoen said, somewhat surprised. “OK.’’
Then Schoen asked, “You want to roll the dice and move back?’’ He clearly was not being serious. “Scared money don’t make money,’’ he said, smiling.
The Giants took Schmitz, and immediately Schoen pointed out Hyatt was still on the board and “he was sticking out a little bit like a sore thumb.’’
Schoen instructed his top personnel men — Tim McDonnell, Brandon Brown and Dennis Hickey — to start making calls to their contacts around the league to inquire about trading up, wondering how high he would have to go to give up no more than his fourth-round pick.
“Let me text Sean,’’ Daboll said, referring to Rams coach Sean McVay.
Schoen made it clear the deal would be the Giants’ pick in the third round (No. 89 overall) and their pick in the fourth round (No. 128) for the Rams’ pick at No. 73. Schoen, making sure there was no slip-up, had someone actually type those trade parameters into Daboll’s phone to relay to McVay.
“You’re gonna execute your first trade, Dabs,’’ Schoen said, smiling again. “Trader Dabs.’’
The Giants, extremely pleased with themselves, took Hyatt at No. 73.
The yin and yang of Schoen and Daboll during all this was striking, Daboll seemingly unflustered by anything, and Schoen, more outwardly intense, immersed in everything.
In time, we will discover whether this indeed was a draft haul for the Giants. In the here and now, there is no need to wait to determine what Schoen and Daboll add to the operation.
