Solid Starter
John Michael Schmitz, C, Minnesota – Round 2 
The Giants entered the draft with a vacancy at center, and they landed a potential plug-and-play starter with Schmitz. While some rookies need time to develop, Schmitz looks like a player with the capacity to start immediately in the NFL after starting for nearly four seasons with the Gophers.
As a pass blocker, Schmitz (6-3, 301) is adept at tying up defenders when he is working with a guard. Schmitz can have issues with speed rushers in one-on-one situations and reacts a little late to games up front. Versus the power rushers, Schmitz has the strength in his base to sink his lower body and slow up bull rushers enough for his quarterback to get the ball out. Schmitz showed advanced intelligence for making line calls and setting protections at the college level.
In the ground game, Schmitz fires off the ball and has good play strength with leverage to drive the defense backward. Schmitz is very balanced and stays low to lean into defenders. While Schmitz is not an overwhelmingly powerful player, he has quality strength, toughness and physicality. He is quick enough to the second level and shows some mobility in the open field. Schmitz is very good at hitting combo blocks with his guard and does a nice job of knocking defenders off balance.
The Giants have little competition for Schmitz, and it should not take him long to beat out the likes of J.C. Hassenauer for the starting spot. After getting adjusted to the NFL, Schmitz looks like a safe bet to be a solid starter for New York.
2022: Evan Neal, OT
2021: Aaron Robinson, CB
2020: Xavier McKinney, S
2019: DeAndre Baker, CB
2018: Will Hernandez, G
2017: Dalvin Tomlinson, DT
2016: Sterling Shepard, WR
2015: Owa Odighizuwa, DE
2014: Weston Richburg, C
2013: Justin Pugh, G
Most Likely To Bust
Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee – Round 3 
The Giants had a big need at wide receiver, and Jordan Addison was their top target for the first round, but he was selected just before they was up to pick on the opening night. New York was able to land a highly hyped receiver in Hyatt in the third round. There were projections of Hyatt going in the first round, but he ended up slipping to Round 3.
Team sources told WalterFootball.com that Hyatt was receiving grades for Day 2, so they did not feel he actually had a real slide. After hearing teams grade him on Day 2, I had Hyatt in the second day of my mock draft throughout the months leading up to the draft. Teams viewed Hyatt as a one-trick pony deep-speed receiver, and as a result, he was graded on Day 2.
It can be hard for one-trick pony receivers to pan out in the NFL because pro defensive backs are used to fast receivers who try to beat them over the top. Hyatt will need to evolve in his game and become a true route-runner who can line up at different spots to attack defenses. Hyatt may not have that kind of ability. Thus, of the Giants’ early-round picks, he looks like the most likely to not pan out.
2022: Joshua Ezeudu, G
2021: Azeez Ojulari, DE
2020: Darnay Holmes, CB
2019: Oshane Ximines, LB
2018: Lorenzo Carter, LB
2017: Davis Webb, QB
2016: Darian Thompson, S
2015: Landon Collins, S
2014: Jay Bromley, DT
2013: Damontre Moore, DE
Potential Boom Pick
Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland – Round 1 
While the Giants missed out on top receiver targets in the first round, they ended up landing a high-upside player in Banks. The 6-foot-2, 200-pounder has excellent speed and athleticism to go along with his size, so he has No. 1 corner potential for the NFL.
Banks is a natural cover corner with speed, height, strength, quick feet, and agility. He is very fluid and does a nice job of running the route with receivers to prevent them from gaining separation. He keeps his wideout from coming open and is quick to recover if they get a step. For a big cornerback, Banks has very nice hips to turn and run downfield with speed receivers. He has enough twitchy athleticism to break on the ball and drive down hard on wideouts.
Entering the NFL, Banks has to get more disciplined in coverage. Pro quarterbacks and receivers will test his lack of discipline with double moves and confusing bunches to see if Banks’ lack of discipline comes back to bite him. Hence, teams feel Banks needs some development.
Banks also is a willing run defender who will contribute to the ground defense and tackle. He fights off blocks, fires to the ball, and shows nice tackling technique for a corner.
The Giants have some veteran corners, so Banks should not have to emerge against No. 1 receivers immediately. If Banks gets a little more consistent, polished, and has improved technique, he could be a boom pick for New York.
2022: Kayvon Thibodeaux, DE
2021: Kadarius Toney, WR
2020: Andrew Thomas, OT
2019: Dexter Lawrence, DT
2018: Saquon Barkley, RB
2017: Evan Engram, TE
2016: Eli Apple, CB
2015: Ereck Flowers, OT
2014: Odell Beckham Jr., WR
2013: Johnathan Hankins, DT
Future Depth Player
Eric Gray, RB, Oklahoma – Round 5 
The Giants entered the draft needing some running back depth. Saquon Barkley is on a franchise tag and may not be back with the team in 2024. Barkley also dealt with a couple of seasons that were plagued by injuries, so it made sense for the Giants to add a capable backup with upside. Gray was a tough runner in college, and he was impressive at the Senior Bowl, showing a strong build, quickness, and cutting ability. While Gray may not have the skill set of an elite back like Barkley, Gray could be a solid backup and No. 2 back for New York.
2022: Daniel Bellinger, TE
2021: Elerson Smith, DE
2020: Shane Lemieux, G
2019: Darius Slayton, WR
2018: Kyle Lauletta, QB
2017: Wayne Gallman, RB
2016: Paul Perkins, RB
2015: Bobby Hart, G
2014: Andre Williams, RB
2013: Ryan Nassib, QB
Walt’s 2023 NFL Draft Grades:
24. Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland – B- Grade
I’m surprised the Jaguars didn’t draft Deonte Banks, as the Giants moved into this spot and took him. Banks certainly fills a big need for the Giants, who didn’t replace James Bradberry last offseason. However, I think this is a bit too early for him. I mocked him in this area, but I thought he should have gone in the second round because he’s a raw prospect.
57. John Michael Schmitz, C, Minnesota – A Grade
I’m shocked the Giants didn’t draft a receiver, given their huge need at the position. Then again, they also had a huge need at center, and John Michael Schmitz is someone who could have been drafted 15-20 picks earlier than this. I love the value and need fill.
73. Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee – A+ Grade
I can’t wait to hear from Charlie Campbell about why Jalin Hyatt fell so far. Hyatt is a somewhat poor man’s DeVonta Smith, so he should have gone much earlier than this. I wouldn’t have hated it had he been chosen late in the opening round. Hyatt is going to fill a huge need.
172. Eric Gray, RB, Oklahoma – B+ Grade
I mocked Eric Gray nine picks earlier than this, so he makes sense as a fifth-round pick. The Giants needed someone like him, as they didn’t have much behind Saquon Barkley. Gray has quality receiving skills.
209. Tre Hawkins, CB, Old Dominion – B Grade
Tre Hawkins was a combine snub, but he made up for it with a great pro day workout to help him get drafted. He’s a big cornerback with some potential. This is a solid pick for the Giants, who needed a cornerback.
243. Jordon Riley, NT, Oregon – B Grade
Jordon Riley is a massive 340-pound nose tackle. He showed some surprising agility at his pro day, but keeping his weight under control will be an issue. He’s worth a shot here in the seventh round.
254. Gervarrius Owens, S, Houston – B- Grade
Gervarrius Owens has decent athleticism and size for a safety. However, he’s very raw and lacks instincts, which is not good for a safety.
2023 NFL Draft Team Grade: B+. Follow Walter @walterfootball for updates.
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