Since becoming the general manager for the New York Giants, Joe Schoen has made a number of moves that have changed this team entirely. Working with the mess that previous GM Dave Gettleman left, he has brought in free agents and drafted guys who helped the team make the playoffs in 2022. Despite the struggles in 2023, this team has a bright future with Schoen at the helm. Let’s focus on the defense, a unit that Schoen has upgraded with the players he has brought in.
Joe Schoen's 3 best moves as Giants GM:
— Gridiron Media (@Gridiron_Media_) May 27, 2024
🏈 Signing Bobby Okereke
🏈 Drafting Kayvon Thibodeaux
🏈 Drafting Deonte Banks
(Obviously, Brian Burns and Malik Nabers have yet to play a game; they very will could make this list in the near future, if they perform) pic.twitter.com/ESQs2eKXrI
Drafting Kayvon Thibodeaux
With two first-round picks in 2022, one of Joe Schoen’s best moves was to draft a potential dominant edge-rusher. Kayvon Thibodeaux was on the board for the Giants at fifth overall. Schoen did not hesitate to grab him off of the board.
The California native was known for his explosive first step. That helped him grade out at a 83.2 according to Pro Football Focus in his last year at Oregon. A starting edge rusher from day one, the explosive young product came to the Giants and played well his rookie year.
In 2022, Thibodeaux recorded just four sacks but still finished with a PFF grade of 71.9. Though the sack numbers weren’t high, he still applied 40 pressures and forced 25 hurries on the quarterback, showing he knew how to get to the quarterback.
Kayvon Thibodeaux runs right by the tackle for the sackpic.twitter.com/8YAdYff77m
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) August 18, 2023
2023 was a bit of a disappointment, as his PFF grade fell to a disappointing 58.4. A big part of that decline was his run defense, which fell to 52.3.
Despite all of that, the box score numbers showed he got to the quarterback. He finished with 13 sacks and 43 pressures. Thibodeaux also forced three fumbles, showing he is just an impactful defender.
His play is expected to rise with the addition of Brian Burns on the other side. Regardless, Thibodeaux has the tools to be one of the best pass rushers in the NFL. Year three is ahead, but from what we’ve seen, he is one player we must praise Schoen for drafting.
Drafting Deonte Banks
Despite the Giants’ run to the playoffs in 2022, it was clear cornerback was a need even with Adoree’ Jackson locking up one side of the ball. Aaron Robinson and Cor’Dale Flott weren’t the best options to play outside cornerback (although the latter will be promoted this upcoming season to do so). So, Schoen decided to address it in the 2023 draft, selecting Deonte Banks from Maryland with the 25th overall pick.
Coming out of college, it was clear the cornerback was an absolute athlete. A 4.35 40-yard dash time. A 42-inch vertical. Most importantly, he was known to be “sticky”, meaning he possesses the ability to lock down the opponent’s best wide receiver with his agility and recovery speed.
Deonte Banks had a very good day vs. Stephon Diggs 🔒 Banks closed on Sunday.. pic.twitter.com/ZSSLPzqPir
— Mace The Flip Flopper 😎 (@realmaceblack) October 16, 2023
It was insane how many times teams targeted Banks, a total of 90 times to be exact (tenth-most among cornerbacks). He allowed 53 receptions, but did have two interceptions.
Struggles were evident in his first year, as the cornerback was not well-liked by PFF (a 51.4 PFF grade). But, he continued to learn every week and looks primed to have a better sophomore year. Banks looks to make sure opposing quarterbacks don’t throw his way. The potential is there.
“Banks Closed On Sundays”.
Signing Bobby Okereke
One position the Giants lacked during their playoff run was a solid middle linebacker. Before the season started, Blake Martinez was slated to be the starter in 2022 but ended up retiring. That left Micah McFadden and Jaylon Smith to fill that void, with average success.
So, to solve that, Schoen went out and made one of his biggest free-agent splashes so far as the Giants’ GM.
With two straight seasons with at least 132 tackles, the linebacker signed a four-year, $40 million deal to play for the Giants.
It turned out to be an outstanding signing. Okereke finished with a 78.9 PFF grade, including a coverage grade of 82.5 (two interceptions and ten pass deflections). Not known to be much of a factor in the pass rush, his run defense was solid too for the Giants.
He finished with 149 tackles, including 11 tackles for loss and added 2.5 sacks for good measure. Serving as a team captain and leader of the defense, New York has found their middle linebacker for the future in Okereke. It won’t be long before he gets an All-Pro selection.
Pending Decisions
It will be worth seeing if the Brian Burns trade pans out well for the Giants, as well as if Cor’Dale Flott can be the CB2 New York has yearned for. Regardless, Joe Schoen has made great moves to improve this defense, and deserves praise for doing so.
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Featured Image: Kathryn Riley/Getty Images
