A bunch of NFL Draft questions came in, so let’s dive in!
1. Should the Giants Draft a Kicker? Leonard wonders about using the Giants’ last pick (246) to grab Ben Sauls, a kicker from Pittsburgh. He’s had to kick in cold weather like New Jersey’s, which could be useful. But Ed thinks it’s unnecessary unless the Giants plan to cut Graham Gano. Gano’s been injured a lot recently, but Sauls, currently ranked low, might just be an undrafted free agent anyway.
2. Should the Giants Trade Back If Shedeur Sanders is Available? Russell asks if the Giants should trade back if Sanders is still on the board at 3. Ed doesn’t want to trade with the Jets (imagine Sanders becoming a star and the backlash!) but is okay with a small trade back, especially to a team like Jacksonville at 5. The Giants could still get their QB and add some picks.
3. Are the Giants Average Across the Board? Jeff wonders if the Giants are at least average at every position after their offseason moves. Ed thinks they’re decent everywhere, but not exactly standout. The key will be Russell Wilson—if he can play well, he could lift the whole offense. A lot’s riding on him this season.
4. Can Chris Snee Fix the Giants’ O-Line Problems? Simon’s concerned about Schoen’s track record with offensive linemen like Neal and Ezeudu. Ed points out that Chris Snee was brought in to help with exactly this. Snee knows what talent looks like and will be a big factor when it comes to the next O-line draft picks.
5. What If the Giants Draft Abdul Carter and Trade Kayvon Thibodeaux? Ron asks if it’s possible the Giants take Abdul Carter and trade Thibodeaux for a Day 2 pick. Ed thinks they could draft Carter but doesn’t expect them to trade Thibodeaux just yet. He’s young and still has potential.
6. Why Do Local College Pro Days Get Special Treatment? William’s curious about how local college visits work and if teams like the Lions, with local schools like Michigan, have an advantage. Ed explains that local Pro Days allow teams to bring in players from their area—this includes some high-level players from across the country who may not have been invited to major combines.
7. Is Trading Down for an Extra First-Rounder Next Year a Good Idea? Stephan proposes the idea of trading down to get an extra first-round pick next year and take a project QB. Ed thinks it’s a reasonable idea but unlikely for Schoen and Daboll, who are under pressure to win now, to pass on top talent this year.
8. Should the Giants Take a QB Later in the Draft? Brian asks why the Giants keep talking about drafting a QB in the later rounds. Ed thinks it’s a good idea to take a shot at a QB, even if it’s later in the draft. It might not be a future star, but it gives the team options. They need to figure out the QB situation, especially since this could be a make-or-break season for Schoen and Daboll.
9. Would Travis Hunter Fit Better on Offense or Defense? Ron wonders if it would be easier for Travis Hunter to learn Daboll’s offense than Bowen’s defense. Ed thinks both roles have their challenges. Bowen’s defense is complex, but so is Daboll’s offense. Ultimately, figuring out how to use Hunter would be a good problem to have.