The uniqueness of Travis Hunter, the talent of Abdul Carter, more
Quarterbacks was the big topic in New York Giants GM Joe Schoen’s pre-draft press conference on Wednesday. There were plenty of other topics discussed, though. Here are a few more takeaways.
Travis Hunter is ‘unique’
If the Giants, as seems likely, pass on selecting a quarterback at No. 3, the Colorado cornerback/wide receiver could be the pick if he gets past the Cleveland Browns at No. 2. It was clear on Wednesday that Schoen sees the value, even if he isn’t certain how the Giants would deploy him.
“Travis is a unique individual,” Schoen said. “He’s fun to watch.
“The ball skills, the route ability, and also the ability to go to the other side and play corner. You just don’t see that very often. A lot of times, if these guys can’t catch or they can’t play receiver, then they get moved to DB. This guy can do it all. He’s also a great kid. It’d be hard to keep him off the field.”
Schoen said he believes Hunter “would be able to do both” at the NFL level.
What would his primary position be if the Giants drafted him? Maybe both.
“We’re in a unique position that we have three good receivers and we like our secondary right now,” Schoen said. “Our situation would be unique. We’d not be afraid to play him on both sides of the ball.”
‘We would find a way’
There has been concern voiced about how the Giants would deploy Abdul Carter, Kayvon Thibodeaux and Brian Burns if the Giants selected Carter at No. 3. Schoen downplayed that issue.
“We would find a way. It’s no different than with Travis Hunter,” Schoen said. “You got good football players you figure out a way to get them on the field.”
Schoen said “I don’t think so” when asked if there was such a thing as too many pass rushers.
“Everybody watched the Super Bowl, right? They [the Eagles] would rush four the whole game,” Schoen said. “He’s an exciting player to watch. You can’t have enough pass rushers.”
Need or value?
This Schoen quote could apply to drafting Hunter or Carter, or to the idea of passing on a quarterback if the right one isn’t available.
“If there is a blue chip or generational type talent or something you just can’t pass on, even if you maybe already have starters in that position, you don’t pass on that type of player.
“If you build need-based, that’s where sometimes you can make mistakes. Again, I like to go in [to the draft] so you’re not back in the corner where you have to take a certain position and you can take the best player available.”
Who makes the call?
Schoen said Wednesday that the upcoming private quarterback workouts “have been in place” and weren’t arranged at the last minute.
The late workouts, though, have led some to wonder if there is still a disagreement in the organization — whether that involves the front office, coaching staff, or ownership — over how the Giants view the quarterbacks in this class.
So, if there is a disagreement who makes the decision? Do they just pass if there isn’t full agreement? Does ownership make the call?
Schoen said there are always “discrepancies” or “respectful debates”, but that the final decision is his to make.
“The ultimate decision falls on me,” he said. “You go through the whole process.
“There are discrepancies in all different rounds, all different positions, in many drafts. Ultimately, the final saying typically goes with the general manager. Ultimately, if there’s a discrepancy and at the end of the day I’m convicted, the decision has to be made.
“That’s how we do it.”
Deep positions
Other than quarterback, the common belief is that the Giants could use help on both the offensive and defensive lines. What positions in the draft does Schoen see as deep ones that could be taken advantage of?
“I think the D-line group and the edge group for us, the outside backers is a really deep group. I would say running back is a deep group. For corners, there’s some depth in corners,” Schoen said. “Those would be the ones where I think there’s some good depth. There’s some high-end guys in other positions, just maybe not as much depth.”
