With the offseason coming closer and closer to its end, it's doubtful that we see the NY GIants make too many big moves prior to the start of the 2023 season. With that in mind, we think it's a good idea to give our grades on some of the calls Joe Schoen made in the past couple of months.
Whether it be making a big splash via a trade or free agency, securing a stud in a key position through the draft, or making some important coaching decisions, Schoen had quite a busy time after the Giants' playoff run. With that being said, here are our grades on the decisions made by the Giants this offseason:
NY Giants free agency grade: A
In a season with limited cap space and plenty of players to re-sign, Schoen put on an absolute masterclass. Not only did he acquire players in key positions, but he also did so without crippling the NY Giants financially.
Heading into 2023, some of the biggest gaps on the Giants' roster were wide receiver, linebacker, and defensive line depth. What did Schoen do with this information? Sign Bobby Okereke, Parris Campbell, A'Shawn Robinson, and Rakeem Nunez-Roches. These are just the big names as well, not even mentioning the countless amount of depth signings Schoen made.
What makes these big-time signings even better is that they are all at a great value. Okereke is slated to make around $10 million a season, Campbell is on a one-year, $5 million prove-it deal, Nunez-Roches is making around $4 million per year, and Robinson has a cap hit of $2 million this season.
Not only did Schoen acquire some big-time players in positions of need, but he also made a multitude of great depth signings. Players like Bobby McCain, Amani Oruwariye, and Jamison Crowder aren't going to start, but will easily play roles as key depth players on both sides of the ball.
NY Giants player retention grade: B+
This offseason, the NY Giants had several key players on expiring contracts or ready to be extended. While not all of the contracts were perfect, Schoen did a more than fine job at retaining some very important players for the long-term future.
Some of the biggest moves include Daniel Jones and Dexter Lawrence's contract extensions, and Saquon Barkley's franchise tag. People will complain about how much money Jones is making, but in today's QB market Jones will likely be more than worth that. While the Barkley contract negotiations haven't exactly gone as planned, it's nice to know they are still working towards a deal and that he'll at least be back for 2023.
On the bright side, Schoen managed to extend Lawrence for less than many expected him to make. Lawrence has by far and away the best player on the Giants' defense last season and arguably the team's best player, so it's nice to see him return for the foreseeable future.
Alongside bringing back the big three previously mentioned, Schoen also retained some key depth pieces. Players like Darius Slayton, Jihad Ward, and Sterling Shepard all very well could play big roles for the team in 2023. These guys were pretty important for either side of the ball and we're glad to see them back.
NY Giants 2023 NFL Draft grade: A+
Even if the Giants just added Deonte Banks, the grade would have been really high. However, considering the fact that the team got three players who were at one point mocked to them in the first round in rounds 1-3 is just flat out incredible.
Not only did they get incredible value in the first three rounds, but they also addressed arguably the team's three biggest needs. That being wide receiver, center, and a top outside corner. Not only were these needs addressed, but the Giants also got three players who could arguably start on Day 1.
Even outside of the main three players in Banks, John Michael-Schmitz, and Jaylin Hyatt, the team drafted some pretty good depth in the later rounds. In the fifth round, they rook Eric Gray, who very well could work his way into being the second running back behind Barkley this season.
In Round 6, Schoen selected CB Tre Hawkins, a player who looks like he could be one of the biggest steals in the draft. Even in the seventh round, Schoen took some good defensive depth between Jordon Riley and Gervarrius Owens.
While undrafted players rarely make an impact, it's worth mentioning that Schoen signed former WVU WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton, an athletic freak who could be a big-time player for the Giants if he manages to put it all together on the field.
NY Giants coaching moves grade: A
While the Giants didn't make many big splashes in terms of coaching moves this offseason, they were able to gain some continuity. This is something the team hasn't had with their coaching staff for a while now and has had a notable impact on the early career of Jones.
Despite all of the rumors surrounding teams being interested in both Mike Kafka and Wink Martindale, the Giants were able to retain the two. They may not be perfect, but it's hard to want to lose two coordinators after the team's best season since 2016. Outside of these two, the Giants also nearly lost their QBs coach Shea Tierney
Considering the progression Jones had in his first season under Kafka and Tierney, we're incredibly grateful to see both of them return. Gone are the days of Jason Garrett's horrific playcalling and detrimental effects on Jones's development. Now, we have a young and growing coordinator and a very good QBs coach showing Jones how to get it done.
If the Giants have yet another successful season, it may be hard to keep teams away from Kafka and Martindale. However, we're incredibly glad to have them back for at least the 2023 season. The importance of continuity with a coaching staff cannot be underestimated.
NY Giants overall offseason grade: A
Overall, this was a great offseason for the NY Giants. Coming off the heels of their best season in years, Schoen managed to drastically improve the team and in positions of need. Considering how poor the roster management was in prior regimes, we're so glad to have a guy like Schoen running the show.
Extending guys like Jones, drafting studs like Banks and Schmitz, and even trading for Darren Waller, something that we didn't even mention, will go a long way in the development of this team. The Giants may not have had a terrible situation heading into this offseason, but it was far from ideal and Schoen still managed to pull off a masterclass.
These kinds of offseasons are the ones that separate average general managers from great ones. If these moves pan out as they should, New York will easily have one of the best GMs in the NFL. In just two offseasons, Schoen has already done so much more for the team than Gettleman ever did.
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