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New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen held his pre-2025 NFL draft press conference on Wednesday afternoon in East Rutherford and addressed a wide range of topics.
Although Schoen didn't offer any new insight into the team's thinking, he did elaborate on a number of things and double down on some others.
Here are 13 quick takeaways from Schoen's pre-draft press conference.
Opening his presser, Schoen thanked the entire organization from top to bottom; from scouts and executives to kitchen workers.
Everyone has a role, and no one was left out to kick things off. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link, and Schoen believes the entire organization excelled during the pre-draft process.
The Giants have scheduled private workouts for quarterback prospects this week, which some argue came late in the process. Those workouts are usually wrapped up by now, but Schoen says it's nothing anyone should be reading into.
The draft will be held earlier than usual (April 24-26), and the pro day slate wrapped up just two weeks ago (April 4). Because of that, it changed the Giants' normal schedule.
Additionally, Schoen said the Giants have several private workouts scheduled with non-quarterbacks, but he did not provide any prospect names.
At the NFL owners' meetings earlier this month, Schoen suggested the Giants might be happy enough with their quarterback room to pass on the upcoming class entirely. Many thought that was little more than a smokescreen.
On Wednesday, Schoen doubled down on that notion and said he would not be backed into a corner after signing Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston.
That doesn't rule out drafting a quarterback, but Schoen says the value would have to add up.
If the Giants are to draft a quarterback next week -- and that sounds like a big if -- Schoen seems more open to finding a developmental backup as opposed to a Day 1 starter.
Not only would a project quarterback prevent a logjam at the position, it would also provide Schoen a little financial freedom in the future.
Having a backup quarterback on a rookie deal over the next several years would be a way for the Giants to penny pinch and save some added cap space. It may not be an idea fans fall in love with, but it does make sense from the business side of things.
Have the Giants decided on the futures of linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux and offensive lineman Evan Neal? The team has until May 1 to exercise their fifth-year options.
Those decisions are not imminent.
Schoen said he is likely to wait until after the draft to make those announcements.
It remains likely that the Giants will pick up Thibodeaux's fifth-year option while passing on Neal's.
Even if Neal's fifth-year option is not picked up, the Giants are likely to carry him on the 53-man roster this season. But the question is: What position will he play?
Schoen previously suggested Neal was open to shifting inside to guard, but he stopped short of making that official on Wednesday.
Rather, Schoen says Neal is open to doing whatever it is the team needs.
Neal has proven that he's not a viable starting option at right tackle, so switching to guard and adding to his versatility might be the best decision for his career.
Earlier this offseason, it was reported that the Giants view Colorado's Travis Hunter as a cornerback. However, when asked about him on Wednesday, Schoen offered a rather shocking reply.
If Hunter were to fall to No. 3 and be selected by the Giants, he would play both cornerback and wide receiver at the NFL level.
Schoen heaped praise on Hunter for nearly five full minutes, commenting on everything from his athleticism to his health, and from his mindset to his God-given skill.
It's clear the Giants like Hunter and would allow him to play on both sides of the ball, but will he get passed the Cleveland Browns at No. 2?
If the Giants miss out on Hunter and pass on Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, will they take Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter at No. 3? And if so, what role would he have?
The answer, it seems, is simple.
Similar to Giants general managers of the past, Schoen admits you can never have too many pass rushers, pointing to the Philadelphia Eagles' recent Super Bowl success as an example.
Carter is a generational talent, and the Giants won't risk passing on him.
Do the Giants have a sense of what will happen at the top of the NFL draft? Yes, but a sense doesn't mean a certainty.
Schoen has a feeling about what the Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns will do, but nothing is set and stone and things can change over the next week.
Ultimately, Schoen says the Giants will compile a list of their top three prospects before draft night and, assuming they don't trade, will simply select from the top of their list based on availability.
The Giants will send a large contingent to Boulder on Thursday for a private workout with Shedeur Sanders, but co-owner John Mara will not be among them.
What does it mean? Probably nothing.
Early on Wednesday, there were reports of conflict in the Giants' draft room, and Schoen essentially acknowledged that during his press conference.
Schoen says there have been some "discrepancies" and "respectful debate," not just about who to select at No. 3 overall, but the entire draft board.
If agreements can't be reached, Schoen says he will make the final decision.
Will the Giants trade up in the draft? Will they trade down in the draft?
Schoen says all options are on the table, and they are open to each.
Schoen did not say the team has made any calls about trading down, but did admit they have received calls from teams looking to trade up.
Schoen pinpointed several positions that are especially deep in the draft, specifically mentioning defensive linemen and the linebacker groups.
Schoen also mentioned running backs and cornerbacks, but interestingly left out the quarterback class.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: 13 takeaways from Giants GM Joe Schoen's pre-draft press conference
Continue reading...
Although Schoen didn't offer any new insight into the team's thinking, he did elaborate on a number of things and double down on some others.
Here are 13 quick takeaways from Schoen's pre-draft press conference.
Full team effort
Opening his presser, Schoen thanked the entire organization from top to bottom; from scouts and executives to kitchen workers.
Everyone has a role, and no one was left out to kick things off. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link, and Schoen believes the entire organization excelled during the pre-draft process.
Private workouts for QBs
The Giants have scheduled private workouts for quarterback prospects this week, which some argue came late in the process. Those workouts are usually wrapped up by now, but Schoen says it's nothing anyone should be reading into.
The draft will be held earlier than usual (April 24-26), and the pro day slate wrapped up just two weeks ago (April 4). Because of that, it changed the Giants' normal schedule.
Additionally, Schoen said the Giants have several private workouts scheduled with non-quarterbacks, but he did not provide any prospect names.
Not mandatory to draft a QB
At the NFL owners' meetings earlier this month, Schoen suggested the Giants might be happy enough with their quarterback room to pass on the upcoming class entirely. Many thought that was little more than a smokescreen.
On Wednesday, Schoen doubled down on that notion and said he would not be backed into a corner after signing Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston.
That doesn't rule out drafting a quarterback, but Schoen says the value would have to add up.
Backup QB more likely?
If the Giants are to draft a quarterback next week -- and that sounds like a big if -- Schoen seems more open to finding a developmental backup as opposed to a Day 1 starter.
Not only would a project quarterback prevent a logjam at the position, it would also provide Schoen a little financial freedom in the future.
Having a backup quarterback on a rookie deal over the next several years would be a way for the Giants to penny pinch and save some added cap space. It may not be an idea fans fall in love with, but it does make sense from the business side of things.
Fifth-year options
Have the Giants decided on the futures of linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux and offensive lineman Evan Neal? The team has until May 1 to exercise their fifth-year options.
Those decisions are not imminent.
Schoen said he is likely to wait until after the draft to make those announcements.
It remains likely that the Giants will pick up Thibodeaux's fifth-year option while passing on Neal's.
Neal to guard?
Even if Neal's fifth-year option is not picked up, the Giants are likely to carry him on the 53-man roster this season. But the question is: What position will he play?
Schoen previously suggested Neal was open to shifting inside to guard, but he stopped short of making that official on Wednesday.
Rather, Schoen says Neal is open to doing whatever it is the team needs.
Neal has proven that he's not a viable starting option at right tackle, so switching to guard and adding to his versatility might be the best decision for his career.
Travis Hunter, two-way star
Earlier this offseason, it was reported that the Giants view Colorado's Travis Hunter as a cornerback. However, when asked about him on Wednesday, Schoen offered a rather shocking reply.
If Hunter were to fall to No. 3 and be selected by the Giants, he would play both cornerback and wide receiver at the NFL level.
Schoen heaped praise on Hunter for nearly five full minutes, commenting on everything from his athleticism to his health, and from his mindset to his God-given skill.
It's clear the Giants like Hunter and would allow him to play on both sides of the ball, but will he get passed the Cleveland Browns at No. 2?
A role for Abdul Carter
If the Giants miss out on Hunter and pass on Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, will they take Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter at No. 3? And if so, what role would he have?
The answer, it seems, is simple.
Similar to Giants general managers of the past, Schoen admits you can never have too many pass rushers, pointing to the Philadelphia Eagles' recent Super Bowl success as an example.
Carter is a generational talent, and the Giants won't risk passing on him.
Top of the draft uncertainty
Do the Giants have a sense of what will happen at the top of the NFL draft? Yes, but a sense doesn't mean a certainty.
Schoen has a feeling about what the Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns will do, but nothing is set and stone and things can change over the next week.
Ultimately, Schoen says the Giants will compile a list of their top three prospects before draft night and, assuming they don't trade, will simply select from the top of their list based on availability.
No John Mara in Boulder
The Giants will send a large contingent to Boulder on Thursday for a private workout with Shedeur Sanders, but co-owner John Mara will not be among them.
What does it mean? Probably nothing.
There are discrepancies
Early on Wednesday, there were reports of conflict in the Giants' draft room, and Schoen essentially acknowledged that during his press conference.
Schoen says there have been some "discrepancies" and "respectful debate," not just about who to select at No. 3 overall, but the entire draft board.
If agreements can't be reached, Schoen says he will make the final decision.
Open to all options
Will the Giants trade up in the draft? Will they trade down in the draft?
Schoen says all options are on the table, and they are open to each.
Schoen did not say the team has made any calls about trading down, but did admit they have received calls from teams looking to trade up.
Deep positions?
Schoen pinpointed several positions that are especially deep in the draft, specifically mentioning defensive linemen and the linebacker groups.
Schoen also mentioned running backs and cornerbacks, but interestingly left out the quarterback class.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: 13 takeaways from Giants GM Joe Schoen's pre-draft press conference
Continue reading...
