Big Blue Huddle

Obviously it's early but I have such a good feeling about all our picks this year so far.
Schoen and company seems to have addressed all our weaknesses in a strong way. Even the fifth rounder, OT/G/C Mbow is much better than where we got him, in the fifth round! and most importantly, offers the flexibility we need for a flex OT to back up and potentially start ( I think by week 5).
Our new tough as nails RB, pairing with last year's great pick, will give us lots of excitement on Sundays.
The defense is shored up big time at both pass rush and run defense.

AMAZING JOB 🙏🏻🌹👏💪🏼👈🏼

Carter-  An elite prospect and a no-brainer pick

Dart-  It can be debated if they needed to trade up, but he seems to be the 2nd best QB prospect in this class and has a good chance to become the team's franchise QB

Alexander-  A badly needed 3 tech DT and solid value

Skatteboo-  An exciting prospect and good value at 4

Mbow-  Assuming he's healthy, great value plus need with pick 5

We need to see how things play out, but on paper, it's a very solid haul

Quote from: MightyGiants on April 26, 2025, 03:30:58 PMCarter-  An elite prospect and a no-brainer pick

Dart-  It can be debated if they needed to trade up, but he seems to be the 2nd best QB prospect in this class and has a good chance to become the team's franchise QB

Alexander-  A badly needed 3 tech DT and solid value

Skatteboo-  An exciting prospect and good value at 4

Mbow-  Assuming he's healthy, great value plus need with pick 5

We need to see how things play out, but on paper, it's a very solid haul

Go get a kicker!!

This is at least an A Draft, without the last two picks.

Quote from: Jclayton92 on April 26, 2025, 03:35:23 PMGo get a kicker!!

From the McGinn ST review

By Bob McGinn
It wouldn't be all that shocking if this becomes the first year since 1998 that not a single kicker or punter ends up being drafted.

Certainly, the odds are against a blank job. Slightly more than two kickers and two punters have been drafted on average over the last eight years.

Nevertheless, the reviews for what's available in the 2025 draft wouldn't engender a whole lot of optimism. It's a thin list at long snapper, too.

Listen to how one experienced special-teams coach sized up the three-pronged foundation of special teams.

Kickers: "I don't think there's anybody that should get drafted. Unless you got three extra draft picks."

Punters: "I think you'd have to be crazy to give anybody a draft pick. There's nobody there I would jump off and say, 'I've gotta have this punter.'"

Long snappers: "There's nobody that should be drafted. Nobody."

Another veteran of NFL special teams has found a few more rays of sunlight.

"It's not a very strong class for kickers and punters," the coach said. "Late (rounds) for the kickers. The first three punters are potentially draftable, and I didn't think any of the long snappers are draftable. I couldn't tell you the last time a snapper was drafted."

Quote from: Ed Vette on April 26, 2025, 03:36:43 PMThis is at least an A Draft, without the last two picks.

They let the draft come to them and they nicely filled holes with a fantastic plan and getting great prospects.

Quote from: MightyGiants on April 26, 2025, 03:37:59 PMFrom the McGinn ST review

By Bob McGinn
It wouldn't be all that shocking if this becomes the first year since 1998 that not a single kicker or punter ends up being drafted.

Certainly, the odds are against a blank job. Slightly more than two kickers and two punters have been drafted on average over the last eight years.

Nevertheless, the reviews for what's available in the 2025 draft wouldn't engender a whole lot of optimism. It's a thin list at long snapper, too.

Listen to how one experienced special-teams coach sized up the three-pronged foundation of special teams.

Kickers: "I don't think there's anybody that should get drafted. Unless you got three extra draft picks."

Punters: "I think you'd have to be crazy to give anybody a draft pick. There's nobody there I would jump off and say, 'I've gotta have this punter.'"

Long snappers: "There's nobody that should be drafted. Nobody."

Another veteran of NFL special teams has found a few more rays of sunlight.

"It's not a very strong class for kickers and punters," the coach said. "Late (rounds) for the kickers. The first three punters are potentially draftable, and I didn't think any of the long snappers are draftable. I couldn't tell you the last time a snapper was drafted."

At this point, Gano has missed games due injury for two consecutive seasons. For his price tag, it's a concern. But if he makes a full recovery, and can return to his Pro Bowl form from 2022, he can still be a weapon. Jude McAtamney remains on the roster due to his international status, and remains an option should Gano go down again.

The Scottish Hammer has recently been resigned and has gradually shown enough improvement to the point he is no longer a liability on special teams as he once was. His distance ranks in the top quarter of his peers, and his ability to pin his opponents inside the 20 has considerably improved.

I thought the Giants truly missed out on a real winner in Jordan Stout a couple of years ago, who now punts for the Ravens and is now one of the best in the league. But the punting and kicking game today has become so scientific that those who make it in the NFL, versus those who don't, is based more on consistency, rather than ability. Gano, for many years, was nearly automatic for his scoring ability. Gillen, on the other hand, has gradually become more consistent over his three seasons with the Giants.

Very few make it right out of college. Stout was as close to The Sure Thing as you could find. Even Matt Oraizo, the "Punt God," thought to be even better, was tangled up  in that race case before his name was eventually cleared, and could play in the NFL again. Even though he does punt in today's NFL, he hasn't forgotten that incident which led to the Bills releasing him before his name was eventually cleared.

Even last year, Justin Tucker had an incredible off-year for the Ravens, which was made worse by the investigation Tucker remains under for inappropriate touching of massage women. Except, unlike the article above, the Ravens are a risk/reward taker when it comes to kickers and punters. This is evidenced by choosing U of Arizona's kicker, Tyler Loop, in the sixth round, a little while ago.

So, I'd reckon the rule of thumb is perhaps not to draft the legs coming out of college, and wait until they've had an opportunity to gain more experience in the NFL Development Leagues. But, there are teams, like the Ravens, who have a knack for successfully bringing in Young kickers who go on to have great careers. Perhaps the best example was Matt Stover, a 1990 "Mr. Irrelevant" draft pick whom Bill Belichick brought with him to Cleveland in 1991, and went on to establish nearly all Ravens' scoring and kicking records before Tucker joined the club.

Peace!

https://x.com/PSchrags/status/1916228943696564433

Quote from: MightyGiants on April 26, 2025, 05:32:12 PMhttps://x.com/PSchrags/status/1916228943696564433

Given the fact that all the salaries for draftees are slotted I don't get his point.

This is by far my favorite draft since the GY days in the late seventies through the mid eighties.

If Schoen can match a run like that, I would be ecstatic! Two drafts in a row so far...I'm impressed with him!

One question: Anyone in the FA market who we could pick up to be a running mate for Nabors?

Quote from: AZGiantFan on April 26, 2025, 05:39:13 PMGiven the fact that all the salaries for draftees are slotted I don't get his point.

He was saying that the salary cap space allowed Schoen to fill all pressing needs via free agency which freed him up to go BPA in the draft

Quote from: MightyGiants on April 26, 2025, 06:03:47 PMHe was saying that the salary cap space allowed Schoen to fill all pressing needs via free agency which freed him up to go BPA in the draft

Oh, ok.  I think he could have expressed that a bit more clearly.  Thanks for the explanation.

https://x.com/Schmeelk/status/1916248200358367664

You'd have to be a Cowboys' or Eagles' fan not to like what the Giants have done in this draft. I try to temper my enthusiasm...but man, I think they are killing it

Wow..Fidone..ayeeee..is a great story. Quite the comeback story..and should get a chance to replace Bellinger. Great take a swing pick late..I really like this draft..but let's be patient.