The second episode of Hard Knocks Offseason with the New York Giants did not disappoint.
Compared to the first episode, this one dove deeper into the moves that shaped the Giants’ 2024 offseason.
The majority of the episode took place at the NFL Scouting Combine. In addition to scouting, the Combine serves as a rendezvous for NFL general managers and front offices. It provides an opportunity for teams to deliberate about potential offseason moves in person. Giants general manager Joe Schoen not only interviewed players, but also pitched potential trades and discussed his likely free agents.
At the same time, Saquon Barkley’s contract extension negotiations loomed menacingly over every step the Giants took. Star safety Xavier McKinney’s vocal displeasure at his lack of contract discussions certainly added pressure. Altogether, there was a lot on the agenda for the Giants to attend to.
Ultimately, Saquon ended up signing with the Philadelphia Eagles and McKinney signed with the Green Bay Packers. But in the timeframe of this episode, there were a lot of moving pieces. One decision, change in detail, or an extra million on a contract offer could have completely changed the Giants 2024 offseason.
With all that said, lets jump right into the major topics featured in episode 2 of Hard Knocks Offseason:
A booming salary cap
Episode 2 began with Joe Schoen receiving news about the new salary cap number from the NFL offices. The new salary cap, the amount to be spent on players and draft picks, was valued at $255.4 million for the 2024 season. It was more than Schoen and the Giants expected. Their initial estimate was around $240 million.
A higher salary cap was both good and bad for Schoen and his staff. On the bright side, Schoen had more money to bolster contract offers with current Giants players and free agents. The down side for Schoen and other NFL GMs is that players also become aware of the cap increase. As a result, players may expect more money per year from contract offers.
Traditionally, players and agents determine the value of contract offers based on the percentage of money they get compared to the overall cap number. They then compare that to the top earners at their position around the league. For example, Patrick Mahomes’ contract amounts to an average of 21.25% of the Kansas City Chiefs overall cap space over the next 4 years.
These developments gave Schoen and his staff a lot to contemplate prior to upcoming negotiations with Saquon Barkley and Xavier McKinney. However, Schoen hinted that there were more pressing needs. I can only assume based on context that he was referring to cornerback, offensive line, and defensive line. So Schoen put Saquon and McKinney’s negotiations on the back burner and got to work on an effective strategy.
Scouting prior to the NFL Combine
Giants national scout Mike DeRice stated in this episode that the most important part of their job is learning “the people”. College area scout Hannah Burnett added that talking face to face is crucial for putting the pieces together. The Giants player personnel staff aims to paint a picture that gives the most accurate representation of a player. And they have to accomplish this prior to the NFL Combine , where interviews take place.
In a closed door meeting with Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll, the Giants player personnel staff did just that. They evaluated potential draft prospects to make the most informed decisions.
Schoen conveyed that there is an added pressure when holding the 6th overall pick in the NFL draft. There is an expectation to select a bona fide difference maker when picking that high. Schoen, Daboll, and the staff concluded that either wide receiver or quarterback were two premium positions they should target at pick 6.
The Giants identified four quarterbacks to focus on: USC’s Caleb Williams, LSU’s Jayden Daniels, UNC’s Drake Maye, and Michigan’s JJ McCarthy.
At this point, everyone knows how talented each quarterback is. The focus shifts to finding out if a player matches the culture you have created, has a great work ethic, and has the ability to learn quickly. Playing in New York is also something the Giants staff must discern if a player can handle. There is a huge fanbase and media presence that do not take kindly to losing.
Moving to wide receivers, the Giants chose to target: Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr., LSU’s Malik Nabers, and Washington’s Rome Odunze.
The conversations were similar to the quarterbacks. The Giants staff talked through more of the abstract traits versus the physical and statistical ones.
However, the staff emphasized the unique characteristics that need to be discussed particularly with wide receivers. Having your ego in check, patience with your quarterback, and that desired tenacity on every down are qualities that are pivotal.
Malik Nabers
Malik Nabers, who the Giants eventually drafted at pick 6, was identified as someone the Giants needed to learn more about. He was described by the Giants staff as highly passionate and super competitive. He has a high motor, is an obsessive hard worker, and plays with a chip on his shoulder. “Dude’s a baller”, Daboll said after he watched Nabers’ tape.
However, Schoen and the Giants staff determined that they needed more answers from Nabers. Nabers may have all the ability on the field, but they needed more clarity on the abstract traits they value. The Giants staff had reservations about how Nabers’ competitive edge could become a negative if the team or Nabers were not thriving.
In his interview with the Giants at the Combine, Nabers candidly stated it would be “pretty tough” to not be involved in the offense early in games. While Daboll appreciated that mentality, he lectured Nabers about how to harness that competitiveness for the good of the team.
Assistant GM Brandon Brown addressed those concerns with Schoen. He stated that he wondered how the Giants quarterback would handle an outspoken wide receiver. Schoen responded by saying that “whoever the quarterback is” will love Nabers. This quote surely does not reflect the unwavering support of Daniel Jones that Schoen continues to show the media. It gave insight into Schoen’s thought process heading into the draft, where Schoen and the Giants tried to trade up for a quarterback.
Daboll tests the quarterbacks
The uncertainty Schoen hinted at regarding Daniel Jones surely motivated the Giants to do their homework on the top quarterbacks in the 2024 NFL Draft. This led to an amazing sequence at the NFL Combine all caught on tape by Hard Knocks. Daboll stole the show by grilling each quarterback. His goal was to learn how well they process information, take to coaching, and can adjust on the fly.
Daboll was super thorough and commanded the room. He simulated how he would deliver a play to the huddle. The quarterbacks were tested on their ability to adjust to defenses, switch roles of receivers, and correctly align protections. Daboll even questioned their choices of where they would throw and the best looks versus each type of coverage.
The biggest takeaway from this sequence was that Daboll and Schoen were clearly super impressed by Drake Maye. Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels most likely would not be available after 2 picks. JJ McCarthy did not do enough to make the Giants fall in love with him. The Giants were evidently head-over-heels enough for Drake Maye that they were willing to trade up to the 3rd overall pick.
Sowing seeds for a trade
The Giants infatuation with Drake Maye led Joe Schoen to approach the New England Patriots about trading up in the draft. Schoen and Daboll were definitely uncertain about Daniel Jones’ future. Weighing all options at quarterback was a move that could buy them a few more years of job security.
In a phone call caught by Hard Knocks, Schoen stated that the Giants’ expectation is that Jones will be out the first few weeks. Signing a backup quarterback or drafting one as insurance was necessary.
This prompted Joe Schoen to ask for an audience with Patriots GM Elliot Wolf. Schoen asked Wolf to keep the Giants in mind if they had any desire to move back from the third overall pick. Wolf shared that other teams had expressed interest in moving up. With this in mind, Schoen and the Giants would have to offer a compelling package to compete.
Where those discussions ultimately led to remains to be seen. Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer reported that the Giants offered a significant haul that included their 2024 6th overall pick and their 2025 1st round pick. At this point, we know that no deal came to fruition and the Giants selected Malik Nabers.
Continuing the Saquon saga
Throughout the episode, Saquon Barkley’s contract negotiations hung like a storm cloud. They had become a volatile subject for the Giants to handle.
Schoen, as expected, was asked multiple questions at the Combine regarding those negotiations and the details around them. He constantly talked with Giants PR before addressing the media to avoid contradiction.
However, from being behind the scenes, we know that Schoen did indeed contradict himself. Schoen stated that he wanted to avoid using the franchise tag on Saquon to owner John Mara. But to the media, he said everything was on the table, including the franchise tag.
This episode of Hard Knocks ended with Schoen informing Saquon and his agent that he was letting him hit the open market. Schoen explained to Ed Berry, Saquon’s agent, that he would rather have the market dictate Saquon’s value. His goal was to avoid “disrespecting” Saquon with an offer deemed not reflective of his value.
After conversating with Berry, Schoen called Saquon to break the news to him. Saquon agreed that hitting free agency is the best path forward. He also agreed to inform the Giants of any offers he receives, giving the Giants a chance to match them.
Based on what the media reported and what we’ve seen in Hard Knocks to this point, letting Saquon hit the open market was the smart move for Schoen and the Giants. Schoen holding Saquon to his word of wanting to be a “Giant for life” made this a safe, but calculated gamble. In the end, all signs point to that Saquon did not give the Giants a chance to match the Eagles’ contract offer.
Quick Hits
Once the news hit of the salary cap increase for 2024, it was apparent that that money was going to be used towards either defensive tackle Christian Wilkins or edge rusher Brian Burns. There’s a quick mention of the negotiations with Panther’s GM Dan Morgan at the time of the NFL Combine: two 2nd round picks for Burns. Schoen and staff expected to pay Wilkins around $22 million and Burns upwards of $28 million.
There are two scenes where Schoen is watching film of free agents. One game Hard Knocks shows is Ravens (offense) versus Texans (defense). The other is Eagles (offense) versus Buccaneers (defense).
Schoen and Daboll’s fingerprints are all over Giants HQ. “Smart, Tough, Dependable” signs are all over the facility.
The Giants had reservations about Caleb Williams being able to deal with the New York media. They cited his turbulent relationship with the media at USC, where he skipped his media availability after USC’s game versus UCLA.
Rome Odunze was the only player described as “Smart, Tough, Dependable”.
Giants defensive back coach Jerome Henderson was seen dapping up cornerback Andru Phillips at the NFL Combine. Henderson stated “he was good at the Senior Bowl too”; the Giants then selected Phillips with their 3rd round pick.
Daboll and Shane Bowen commented on how “impressive” safety Tyler Nubin was. Nubin was selected in the 2nd round by the Giants.
Former Ohio State QB Kyle McCord caught a stray from Giants wide receiver coach Mike Groh. Groh asked WR Marvin Harrison Jr. if he ever became frustrated with McCord when compared to former Ohio State QB and current NFL star CJ Stroud.
Daboll commented that former Notre Dame QB Sam Hartman resembled Full House’s Uncle Jessie.
Offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo and Brian Daboll bantered back and forth about running a 40-yard dash under 7 seconds.
Every member of the Giants staff was blown away by former Texas wide receiver Xavier Worthy’s 40-yard dash.
