The job NY Giants general manager Joe Schoen was able to do in the 2023 NFL Draft is surely going to be discussed for quite some time. Schoen had a brilliant first round, following things up with great gets in the second round and third round too.
On Saturday, Schoen had four more picks available to him and he didn't disappoint. He started things off by going with Oklahoma running back Eric Gray, who rushed for nearly 1,400 yards last season. In this piece, we have our draft grades for Gray and the other three selections made on Saturday.
NY Giants select Oklahoma running back Eric Gray in the fifth round
To get things going on Saturday, Schoen and Co. indeed went with Gray in the fifth round with the No. 172 overall pick. This felt like a bit of a surprise at the time, but there's no question that the Giants needed to select a RB by the end of the day. And they've landed quite the playmaker in Gray, who started his career at Tennessee before going to Oklahoma.
Last campaign for the Sooners, the 5-9, 205-pounder rushed for 1,366 yards and 11 touchdowns. He's not the biggest guy at 5-9, but Gray has 4.6 40-yard dash speed and his cutting abilities are pretty dang solid. At the end of the day, the Giants also needed to add some RB depth behind Saquon Barkley.
With Barkley playing on the non-exclusive franchise tag, the future at the RB spot is a bit unknown after this season. That's why an electric, young running back was needed this weekend. Gray isn't expected to replace Barkley, let's make that clear. However, he could be a reliable option for this offense whenever his number is called.
NFL Draft Grade: B+
NY Giants select Old Dominion CB Tre Hawkins in the sixth round
Another cornerback for defensive coordinator Wink Martindale? That's exactly what has happened on Saturday, with the Giants using their sixth-round pick on Old Dominion defensive back Tre Hawkins. Hawkins checks in at 6-3, 195 pounds. That height is fantastic for a CB. His leaping ability is impressive too.
Let's not forget about his speed either. Hawkins ran a 4.42 40-yard dash. The reason we may not have heard much about him? Well, Old Dominion isn't exactly an NFL factory, but that doesn't take away from the fact that Hawkins is a baller. Last season, he posted 57 total tackles and two interceptions.
The secondary depth for the Giants isn't great, particularly at cornerback. Hawkins seems like a solid value pick as a late-round get. Now, the Giants have added both Hawkins and first-round pick Deonte Banks in the past few days. This must have both Brian Daboll and Martindale pretty pumped up.
Hawkins may not be a Day 1 starter, but he's definitely a guy worth using a late-round pick on for developmental purposes. He has plenty of upside. Imagine him working with Wink too. If anyone can help out a young DB take his game to the next level, it's him.
NFL Draft Grade: B
NY Giants select Oregon State DT Jordon Riley in the seventh round of the NFL Draft
More help for the defensive line! Throughout the offseason, Schoen expressed just how much he wanted to build the defensive line depth. He's done just that by signing both A'Shawn Robinson and Rakeem Nunez-Roches. You can do ahead and add Oregon State DT Jordon Riley to the mix of things as well.
On Saturday, the Giants used the No. 243 overall pick in the seventh round on the 6-5, 338-pounder. Riley transferred to Oregon from Nebraska and started all 13 games for the Ducks this past season. He posted 21 total tackles, half a sack and one pass deflection. Riley's stats don't jump off the page, but his size sure does. We'll see if the DT can make a splash at camp and earn a roster spot.
NFL Draft grade: B-
NY Giants select Houston safety Gervarrius Owens in the seventh round of the NFL Draft
Last but not least, the Giants wrapped things up for their '23 draft with the No. 254 overall pick, going with Houston defensive back Gervarrius Owens. The 6-0, 200-pound safety started 12 games for the Cougars at FS, finishing with 74 total tackles and eight pass deflections. He earned a PFF grade of 82.5, rated the highest safety in the AAC for 2022.
This is yet another depth move from Schoen, but it comes at a position that needed it. The loss of Julian Love (signed with the Seahawks in free agency) continues to sting. However, guys will need to step up and answer the call for Martindale. Owens can provide some competition this summer.
NFL Draft grade: C+
READ MORE: Day 2 of the NFL Draft was a masterclass from Joe Schoen