Big Blue Huddle

CBS Sports NFL Draft Writer / Analyst

He did a nice job of it


https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1O5yo3uN3pCnOPvM9zE4FSONwbIg6i68uJrdD7pb0CXo/edit#gid=2053821055

I have listened to all the rumors and all the insiders.  This is the best I can discern when it comes to the Giants desires for round one.


1)  The Giants would like to draft a quarterback but on their terms.  In other words, for the right price, the Giants would move up to take a QB, or they would take one if he falls to six.

2)  Maye seems to be the quarterback the Giants have the most interest in.  JJ is another QB the Giants may have interest in, but it doesn't sound like he would be a trade-up target

3)  Failing to secure a QB, the Giants will sit at 6 and take the best WR on their board.  I have no idea how the Giants have stacked the 3 WRs prospects

Mike Lombardi talked about how there are only 12 first-round picks in this draft


Randy Mueller said that the talent drops off quickly on day three and that many day three picks will be no better than undrafted rookie free agents.

Those two issues will greatly impact how teams address this year's draft.

For example-  the 11th pick of the Vikings has good value, the 23rd pick, not so much

Late round picks will have less value in trades making it more difficult to engineer trades

Which first-round pick most surprised you as a Giants fan?

Which first-round pick did you most expect?

I seriously doubt this will move the needle, but at least it's original


https://www.theplayerstribune.com/posts/michael-penix-jr-nfl-draft-ncaa-football-university-of-washington

Theres a golden rule in #NFLDraft reporting not to buy into info you hear the last week, when misdirection is highest. Im breaking the rule.

After a bunch of calls since Thurs, I believe:
- Drake Maye is #Giants most likely QB pick of the top 4 (Not to say he's their No.1-ranked QB)
- I think they'd be willing to trade up for him but sounds like #Patriots and #Commanders arent moving
- I think they would strongly consider trading down if JJ McCarthy is there at 6 and #Broncos and #Vikings want to trade up. But he would be in play at 6 if offers not strong
- I'd still bet 4 QBs go in top 5 picks and so Giants end up with a great WR. Id then watch Bo Nix and Michael Penix Jr

@MoveTheSticks
 left NYG out of McCarthy team list and it caught my attention because so many people were in my ear about Giants and JJ since NFL Combine


https://x.com/rydunleavy/status/1782402697414488368

https://x.com/McShay13/status/1781040208009384369

https://x.com/PFN365/status/1782397728628048026

I was meaning to do something like this.  Unfortunately, it's behind a paywall.  So here is just the rankings (the link has the explanations)

1. Minnesota Vikings
Pass blocking: B
Run game: B
Weapons: A
Play-caller: A-
Defense: A-

2. Chicago Bears
Pass blocking: A-
Run game: B
Weapons: A-
Play-caller: C+
Defense: B+

3. Denver Broncos
Pass blocking: B-
Run game: B
Weapons: C+
Play-caller: A
Defense: B

4. Las Vegas Raiders
Pass blocking: B
Run game: C
Weapons: A-
Play-caller: D
Defense: A-

5. New England Patriots
Pass blocking: C
Run game: B
Weapons: C
Play-caller: Unknown
Defense: A

6. New York Giants
Pass blocking: F
Run game: C
Weapons: D (potential F)
Play-caller: B
Defense: C

7. Washington Commanders
Pass blocking: C
Run game: B
Weapons: B-
Play-caller: C
Defense: F


https://theathletic.com/5421402/2024/04/19/2024-nfl-draft-ranking-qb-friendliness/

By Nick Falato

Any of these prospects excite you?

https://www.bigblueview.com/2024/4/17/24132089/new-york-giants-nfl-draft-preview-defensive-line-options-on-each-day

By Nick Falato

Do any of these prospects excite you?

https://www.bigblueview.com/2024/4/21/24134092/ny-giants-nfl-draft-preview-running-back-options-on-each-day-of-the-draft?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_content=bigblueview&utm_campaign=socialflow

Yesterday, I posted predictions by insiders saying that the Giants will go WR.  Yesterday I listened to podcasts where Raanon, Connors, and Giants Insider all say the Giants want to draft a QB.  In fairness, they all qualified that it many not be possible or practical, but that was their strong opinion.  Giants Insider is an NYG mouthpiece, while Raanan is a well-connected independent voice.


It's sort of funny; the beat-level reporting seems to indicate QB, while the national-level insiders seem to indicate WR.

I wonder if the local beat writers have a better perspective, or perhaps the vocal majority of Giants fans has skewed their perspective.

Below is McGinn's write-up on the prospect.  The Giants have one of the best D-line coaches in the business.  This is the sort of draft pick that would exploit that strength


 MAASON SMITH, Louisiana State (6-5, 308, 5.03, 3): Third-year junior. "He's just got traits you can't teach," one scout said. "Has the same body type and is the type of athlete that Chris Jones is. He's just not that level player. Plays like a freshman, honestly. I don't think he knows how good he can be. Has a ton of upside and he's a big man. Those guys are hard to find." Started four of nine games as a freshman in 2021 before suffering a torn ACL in the '22 opener. Came back to start 12 games at 3-technique in '23 before declaring. "Should have probably stayed in school," a second scout said. "Wasn't great coming off the injury but most guys get better (later). I think he'll be a better pro than college player." His mother is a doctor and his father owns a company in the petroleum industry. "Parents are professional people," a third scout said. "He might not be mean enough, to be quite honest. Got a lot of God-given talent. I'm gonna roll the dice with him. He was the No. 1 schoolboy defensive tackle in the country. He missed all of '22, comes back for '23 and there's been a coaching change in the meantime. The D-line coach (Jimmy Lindsey) gets a brain tumor and they cycle through about five different line coaches. They didn't know if they were a two-gap team, a one-gap team, a twist team. Truthfully, he's a five-star who was going to play three years and head to the league no matter what. I think this year was all sort of geared to, 'Hey, I'm just going to survive and get through the season.' He doesn't play hard all the time. He can play 3- or 5-technique. Very smart. He has real, real talent." Finished with 47 tackles (9 ½ for loss) and 6 ½ sacks. Longest arms (35) at the position but also the smallest hands (8 ½). "He doesn't play with passion," a fourth scout said. "He's big. He's got range. But I can't wait to see the team that takes him. I think he stinks." From Houma, La.

Tell us about one of your favorites and what round you think the Giants might be able to draft them

I have to say that Dominiqui was bold in challenging former GM Mike Tannenbaum, but clearly, the NFL has a serious problem drafting QB.  I think Foxworthy is addressing the blind spot of so many in the NFL in terms of not appreciating that QBs need the proper environment to develop.  Either the NFL can't scout a QB to save their lives or their is the flaw Foxworthy pointed to, that is causing well scouting QBs to fail.


https://x.com/FirstTake/status/1781351256490905935

It's at the Athletic but here is where he ranks the Giants:

30. New York Giants
Two teams rank worse for 2024, but I think the Giants might be in the worst shape for the future. The Giants have paid a QB, who isn't the answer, a ton of money, and they don't have a pick to draft one of the top prospects in this year's draft. They could move up to get one, but if they don't, I suppose wide receiver makes the most sense.

Here is the bio for the guy doing the ranking:

QuoteAustin Mock uses advanced statistical models and simulations to predict outcomes and rate performances in the NFL, college football, MLB and other sports.

Here is how he came to these rankings:

I've used my NFL Projection Model to rank each roster ahead of next week's draft. The model takes into account an array of metrics and tries to put a "value" on every player. This value is essentially how many points above average a player brings to his team in a typical NFL game. Positional value weighs heavily when calculating that total. So the best running back or linebacker in the league will not be worth as much as the best wide receiver or edge rusher. After summing up all the values, each team was ranked 1-32. Here's how the rosters stack up entering the draft.

https://theathletic.com/5421480/2024/04/18/nfl-draft-2024-roster-rankings-projections/

I will admit, even I am suffering from fatigue at this point in terms of evaluating the QB class, but for those who are not.  Here are two articles full of comments from NFL coaches and front office staff


https://www.si.com/nfl/2024/04/19/2024-nfl-draft-quarterbacks-case-study-top-prospects

https://www.nfl.com/news/2024-nfl-draft-pro-execs-scouts-coaches-rank-and-evaluate-the-top-20-prospects-in-this-qb-class

CHATTER: GIANTS WILL TAKE A QB AT NO. 6 OR TRADE UP
There has been talk about this since Daniel Jones tore his ACL last season, and it was clear the New York Giants would have a top pick. Yes, the organization has done extensive work on all the top quarterbacks in the draft. However, I have not gotten the indication they'd pull the trigger on taking one at No. 6.

There are rumblings in league circles that if Drake Maye fell, he could intrigue them the most. Otherwise, they likely will take a different position, whether a receiver or an offensive lineman. There is a good chance the Giants will explore taking a quarterback in this draft, but it could be in the second round.

https://www.the33rdteam.com/2024-nfl-draft-fact-or-fiction-on-draft-trade-rumors/

The Tweet is a short video, and the link leads to pictures.  There seems to be more work on the grass (conditioning?) than I ever remember and the strength training is much different than my younger days at the gym.


https://x.com/Giants/status/1781352059096240595



https://www.giants.com/photos/giants-offseason-workout-program-underway-2024#644f4eee-af16-402d-8713-207fc51e8bcf

Joe Schoen talked about a walk-away price (and based on previous actions, I think he firmly believes in this approach). So, if the rumor is true, will Schoen try to outbid the Vikings?


https://x.com/art_stapleton/status/1781316019056738462

Q. Coming in, do you find historically speaking that the draft tends to address needs, or do you feel there's a good core in place that you can be flexible?

JOE SCHOEN: I think right now we have enough needs that it can go either way, offense or defense. I think we're not one player away or two players.

So I think Shane (Bowen) coming in has been phenomenal with his communication and articulating what he's looking for in his scheme. We've had really good communication with him throughout this pre-draft process in terms of what players fit his scheme and, again, the value where we can get those players. Shane has been a really good addition and enjoying my time working with him so far.

Rich Eisen has always struck me as more of a schmoozer than someone who was controversial or combative.  Yet, he seems to be having a low-key feud with Schoen.

ROUND 1-  Rich Eisen declares the Giants are done with Jones and have buyer's remorse

https://x.com/CGF_Sports/status/1765009205293875316

ROUND 2-  Joe Schoen pushes back and suggests Rich's claims are not true


Q. At the combine or after the combine, Rich Eisen went on his show and said that all he heard was a lot of buyer's remorse from the Giants -- he didn't say from whom obviously -- about the contract given to Daniel. On Monday Daniel talked to us, and he said very confidently, he thinks he is the best quarterback to start the season, assuming he's healthy, for the Giants. Where are you right now, maybe small and big picture, on Daniel Jones?

JOE SCHOEN: Like I said before, the expectation is for him to be our starter. Again, I don't have a crystal ball. I hope he doesn't have any setbacks. He's working his tail off.

One of the things, when you go back and you watch the 2022 season or all of his throws in 2022, like he was a 25-year-old player that played at a high level and we won 10 games and won a playoff game. I'm still confident in Daniel, the way he's wired, what he showed us in 2022.

Again, did we have the best start to the season last year? Absolutely not. Anything that could have went wrong, it seems like it did early on between injuries and some other things. I've still got a lot of confidence in Daniel.

Q. Doesn't part of you wonder who told Eisen that stuff?

JOE SCHOEN: I can't worry about that. There's stuff out there all the time that's not true. You really can't let it bother you. I've got a good relationship with Daniel, and we communicate all the time.

Again, he's here all the time. We've got a good relationship, and we communicate well. If he has an issue or hears something or something I think I need to talk to him about, we do that often.

ROUND 3-  Rich doubles down on his claims and predicts the Giants will draft a QB high in the draft


https://x.com/RichEisenShow/status/1781123776471880115

https://x.com/NFL_DovKleiman/status/1781163897166172500

https://x.com/PeterMallouk/status/1781128648122134962

I have come to appreciate over the years that there range of core views when it comes to team building, free agency, and the draft.  On one side of the spectrum is the star collectors.  They are all about the blue chip (and, to a lesser degree, red chip) players.  They feel stars drive the team and raise those around them.   They try to get as many stars on the team as possible, and the rest take care of them as best they can.

On the other side of the spectrum is the hole fillers.  They believe a team is only as strong as its weakest link.  So, the focus is eliminating weak points/needs on the roster/team.   

Which side of the spectrum (and how far on the spectrum) do you see yourself?


I will answer my own question.  I tend to be a hole filler. I look at things like a draft as a way to fill holes and fix flaws.   Having realized this, I am trying to become more balanced and appreciate the need for the star talent.

https://x.com/PFF_Sam/status/1780663074313154977

https://x.com/bigblueview/status/1780995838489034886

https://x.com/MySportsUpdate/status/1780995019295412258

For the past couple of years, you have probably heard me talk about my concept of the three pillars of quarterback support-  coaching, pass protection, and receiving targets.

This draft season you might have heard me talk about how that infrastructure is a very important part of the success of a drafted QB.

A big smile came across my face when I listened to Daniel Jeremiah's latest national draft conference call.

First, he made reference to the "three Ps of QB support, playing caller, protection, and playmakers."

He also mentioned that in his discussions of teams, they are more focused on whether their team is ready (having the 3 Ps in place) to develop a quarterback if they draft one.

You can listen to the podcast here


https://open.spotify.com/episode/0OFYuhn1SH4N66R1acepfT