EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — The direction of the New York Giants altered in January when they hired John Harbaugh after they finished another losing season and the Super Bowl-winning coach became available.
The team's trajectory is about to change once again depending on what they do with the fifth overall pick in the NFL draft.
There are no shortage of options with very different paths forward.
The Giants could get a potentially difference-making running
back in Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love two years after letting Saquon Barkley leave in free agency. They also could make a weak defense better with one of two Ohio State players: linebacker Sonny Styles or safety Caleb Downs.
Harbaugh and Joe Schoen, back for a fifth season as general manager, approached free agency wanting to fill major holes as to not need to reach for a player at a specific position in the first or any round. And while the roster is still far from championship-caliber right away, not having one major glaring weakness makes the draft another key inflection point for the organization.
“To the best of our ability, just try not to back ourselves into a corner where we have to draft for need,” Schoen said. “That’s where mistakes can be made."
New York has an early second-rounder at No. 37, then doesn't pick again until the fourth. That's because the third-rounder was used to trade up for quarterback Jaxson Dart last year.
With one fifth-rounder and three more in the sixth, there are chances to take some swings. Schoen said Harbaugh has been texting him about potential prospects and even undrafted free agent possibilities.
“He’s really passionate about the draft, and it’s been a lot of fun being in these meetings and watching film with him,” Schoen said. “It’s going to be a collaborative effort. We’re going to be on the same page."
After ranking 30th out of 32 teams on defense last season, a big reason for going 4-13, talent is needed on that side of the ball. That's especially the case if lineman Dexter Lawrence gets traded after asking for that.
Even after signing Tremaine Edmunds last month, linebacker is a particular spot to watch. Beyond Styles possibly being there at No. 5, Schoen thinks the position has depth in the later rounds.
Same goes at receiver, where there is no clear secondary option beyond Malik Nabers, who may not be ready to start the season coming off a torn ACL. And just because the starting tackle spots are set with Andrew Thomas on the left side and Jermaine Eluemunor on the right doesn't mean there won't be a focus on the offensive line, where guard remains a priority.
Cam Skattebo, Tyrone Tracy and Devin Singletary make taking a running back a luxury. Love might be worth it.
“He’s an offensive weapon,” Schoen said. “He’s not just a running back. He can play on third down. You can split him out. He can catch the ball. Certainly an offensive weapon.”
Tight end is also fine after Isaiah Likely followed Harbaugh from Baltimore. Most importantly, the Giants are set at QB for the foreseeable future because of Dart.
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