Giants coordinators just became the lifelines Joe Schoen never knew he needed

The New York Giants’ 2024 season may have been one to forget, but their coaching staff is stepping into the spotlight in a big way ahead of this year’s NFL Draft. Both offensive coordinator Mike Kafka and defensive coordinator Shane Bowen will serve as head coaches in two of college football’s premier all-star showcases, the Senior Bowl and the East-West Shrine Bowl.

These roles give them not only a chance to showcase their leadership skills but also a unique opportunity to get an up-close look at some of the draft’s top prospects.

Kafka will lead the National Team at the Senior Bowl, marking his second consecutive year as an all-star game head coach after guiding the West Team in last year’s Shrine Bowl.

Meanwhile, Bowen will helm the West Team at the Shrine Bowl, where he’ll get a firsthand look at prospects like Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders—who just so happens to be an option for the Giants at No. 3 in the draft.

While both coordinators have faced criticism after a dismal 3-14 season, their involvement in these pre-draft events is a potential game-changer. The access and insights they’ll gain could provide general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll with the edge they need to nail this draft and jumpstart the Giants’ rebuild.

Mike Kafka and Shane Bowen just became instantly more valuable to the Giants

Being named a head coach for these all-star games isn’t just a pat on the back for Kafka and Bowen—it’s a golden ticket for the Giants.

These events give coaches a rare chance to get up close and personal with top draft prospects, letting them see things you can’t always catch on tape. It’s about figuring out how players handle coaching, how they gel with teammates, and how they adapt to the kind of systems they’ll see in the NFL.

Kafka being back in the all-star mix is especially worth watching. Last year, as the head coach of the Shrine Bowl’s West Team, he got a front-row seat to scout talent, including Giants rookie running back sensation Tyrone Tracy Jr., who played on the East Team.

That connection paid off big time, and now Kafka has another shot to help shape New York’s draft strategy. This time, he’ll be working with quarterbacks like Alabama’s Jalen Milroe and Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel—guys who probably won't be top-five picks but could make a lot of sense later on if they're still hanging around.

Bowen’s Shrine Bowl role is just as interesting. His West Team features Shedeur Sanders, a quarterback with top-10 potential. Bowen will have the chance to dig into Sanders’ skills, leadership, and overall vibe—things that could weigh heavily on whether the Giants take a swing at him if he's available with the No. 3 pick.

Bowen will also get a look at players flying under the radar who could end up being steals on Day 2 or 3 of the draft.

For a team desperate to turn things around after back-to-back brutal seasons, these coaching gigs couldn’t come at a better time. Kafka and Bowen will leave Mobile and Arlington armed with intel that could help fill major gaps on the roster. Whether it’s finding a franchise QB or uncovering late-round gems, the insights they’ll bring back could be game-changers.

Losing one—or both—of these coaches after this offseason wouldn’t just be about replacing staff. It would mean losing an edge in the draft, something the Giants can’t afford as they rebuild. Schoen and Daboll need every bit of help they can get, and the draft knowledge Kafka and Bowen will bring back might just be the lifeline the franchise needs.

This offseason is make-or-break for Schoen. With the stakes sky-high, he’ll need to use every resource at his disposal to build a roster that can actually compete.

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