Episode 4 of Hard Knocks Offseason with the New York Giants continued to give viewers unprecedented access. How the Giants prepared for the 2024 NFL Draft was the main focus.
Hard Knocks raised the curtain on everything from the Giants rigorous travel schedule for scouting, to trying to predict the outcome of the draft on the day of.
However, Giants general manager Joe Schoen’s trade negotiations with the New England Patriots stole the show in Episode 4. The unknown around quarterback Daniel Jones’ health and on-field performance served as the motivation for Schoen exploring all options.
The Giants infatuation with UNC quarterback Drake Maye and LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels propelled Schoen to inquire about possibly trading up in the 2024 NFL Draft. Schoen and Patriots general manager Eliot Wolf’s initial conversation was shown in Episode 2.
Hard Knocks caught all these negotiations on tape despite little being known about them leading up to the draft.
Episode 4 also dove deeper into the Giants’ pre-draft process. Meetings with top prospects as well as college pro days were spotlighted for most of the episode.
If you missed out on any Hard Knocks Offseason episodes, you can find my prior episode recaps below:
Weighing All Options at Quarterback
As an NFL general manager, you must constantly be considering all avenues to improve your team. Even at positions where you’ve already committed $40 million a year.
Quarterback Daniel Jones remains an enigma for the Giants and Joe Schoen. Schoen expressed concern about Jones durability in Episode 4. Jones has missed 17 games in the past 3 seasons due to severe injuries, namely to his neck and ACL. Schoen was also concerned about Jones’ less than stellar performance through the 6 games he played in the 2023 season. Jones regressed after an outstanding 2022 season earned him a 4-year, $160 million extension.
Drafting a blue-chip quarterback prospect is the closest thing to a “quick-fix” in the NFL to win more games. There is also much uncertainty surrounding Jones for 2024 in terms of both performance and availability for the 2024 season. The combination of these factors prompted Schoen to consider drafting a quarterback at the 6th overall pick in the Draft. Assistant GM Brandon Brown shared his opinion which sheds light on Schoen’s thought process: “Its about maximizing your pick; its about getting the most value and knowing what the options are.”
The Inexact Science of Drafting Quarterbacks
There is always pressure to draft a quarterback when an NFL team ends up with a top draft pick. Quarterback, without a doubt, is the most important position in the sport. But how haphazard drafting a quarterback in the 1st round can be is rarely discussed. The Giants front office staff provided evidence of just how hit or miss it really is.
Head coach Brian Daboll shared that in the last 3 years, 5 of the 8 quarterbacks that were drafted in the 1st round were on a different team in 2024 than the one that drafted them. For the past 10 years, 60% of 1st round quarterbacks fit the same profile. There are also a handful that are currently backup quarterbacks or out of the NFL entirely.
Daboll’s research illustrates why you must be absolutely sold on the quarterback you’re willing to pick. Team owner John Mara recounted in the episode that former Giants general manager Ernie Accorsi had that level of conviction about picking two-time Super Bowl champion Eli Manning. Going into the draft, Daboll and the Giants front office staff conveyed that quarterbacks Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye were two players they would be willing to trade up to get.
Trade Negotiations with the Patriots
As shown in Episode 2, Joe Schoen had inquired about moving up to the 3rd overall pick via a trade with the New England Patriots. As previously expressed, the motivation was to draft a quarterback, namely Jayden Daniels or Drake Maye. In a conversation with Patriots general manager Eliot Wolf, Schoen uncovered that the Giants would need to offer a very compelling package to move up.
Ultimately, Wolf and the Patriots stuck to that demand. A phone conversation in Episode 4 between Wolf and Schoen revealed that the Patriots had no motivation to trade back. This was unless the Giants offered a blockbuster deal that included their 2024 1st round, 2nd round, and 3rd round picks plus their 2025 1st round and 2nd round picks. The Giants rightly did not continue their pursuit. The Patriots ended up staying at Pick 3 and selected one of the Giants targets, Drake Maye.
John Mara fully supported Schoen’s pursuit of a trade with the Patriots, although admitting that negotiating the terms of the deal would give him “heart palpitations”. The Giants had a thorough backup plan once trading up for either Daniels or Maye became unrealistic.
Predicting the Draft
Selecting an elite offensive weapon became the priority once the Patriots snubbed the Giants efforts to move up. One thing that has been consistent throughout this edition of Hard Knocks is that the Giants always loved Malik Nabers. After meeting with the three top wide receivers of Marvin Harrison Jr, Nabers, and Rome Odunze, wide receiver coach Mike Groh firmly stated that he would draft Nabers. Nabers’ competitive drive, tenacity, and elite traits have had Schoen and Daboll gushing about him since the 1st episode.
Ensuring Nabers would be there for the Giants to select at pick 6 took up most of Schoen’s time on Draft Day. Schoen fielded calls to all of the teams picking closely before or after the Giants. He was able to deduce that Nabers would be available based on evaluating each adjacent team’s priorities.
Episode 4 revealed that Schoen and the Giants were willing to select either Nabers or Harrison Jr. at pick 6. However, had both been selected prior, Schoen had his sights set on a trade back. Schoen knew from asking around that the Tennessee Titans and Atlanta Falcons both did not prioritize a wide receiver or tight end. The Giants would have traded back to pick 9 and selected either Odunze or tight end Brock Bowers.
Quick Hits
The Giants staff was seen chatting with quarterback Michael Penix Jr. at the University of Washington’s pro day.
While attending Penn State’s pro day, the Giants staff ran into an old friend, former star running back Saquon Barkley. Saquon expressed his curiosity about the Giants new offensive line signings with offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo. Bricillo shares that Jermaine Eluemunor is without a doubt someone he absolutely loves. He also hints that Eluemunor and fellow new signing Jon Runyan Jr. have flexibility that the Giants are looking to utilize.
The Giants scouting staff also showered much praise toward Penn State tight end Theo Johnson, who they eventually drafted in the 4th round.
The Giants did their due diligence in evaluating Notre Dame offensive tackle Joe Alt.
At LSU’s pro day, Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll lauded Malik Nabers as a “stud” and a “dawg”.
Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze was by far the best interviewer the Giants spoke with. He was always thorough, calculated, and prepared.
Marvin Harrison Jr. is as professional as it gets throughout the draft process, most likely drilled in him by his father, hall of fame wide receiver Marvin Harrison.
Malik Nabers shares with Schoen and Daboll that he has “a hot temper, but not in a bad way.” Schoen and Daboll respect that mindset, as long as it does not become a distraction.
See a list of all of the Giants pre-draft visits here.
John Mara shares that Ernie Accorsi was absolutely sold on Eli Manning because he loved that he still made plays in the SEC without a great supporting cast. He was more impressed by Eli’s body of work than Ben Roethlisberger’s.
Joe Schoen’s son Carson told his father to draft Jayden Daniels if he could.
Some of Schoen’s due diligence in figuring out who other teams would select: he thought the 1st three picks would be quarterbacks and picked all 3 in order. He assumed the Cardinals would draft Harrison Jr.. He had a sense that the Chargers would draft an offensive tackle in the form of Joe Alt or JC Latham. He also predicted that Odunze would be there at pick 9.
Brian Daboll shares that former Alabama head coach Nick Saban said that Malik Nabers and Brock Bowers were among his top 3 players in this draft class that he hated facing. He did not reveal who the 3rd player was.
