NFL Draft 2025: Giants GM Joe Schoen Discusses Strategy and Prospects

Giants' Draft Preparation Process

As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, New York Giants General Manager Joe Schoen provided valuable insights into the team's preparation process and strategy. With just over a week until draft day, Schoen emphasized the collaborative effort involved:

"I'd like to start by thanking our scouting staff along with many people in the building through these 30 visits, the scouting process, the all-star games, the combine," Schoen stated. "The coaches are heavily involved in the process. There have been a lot of Zoom calls with prospects, dinners, meetings at our facility, pro days, and private workouts."

Schoen highlighted the comprehensive evaluation process prospects go through when visiting the Giants' facility, involving strength and conditioning coaches, cafeteria staff, and medical personnel. He noted, "We put these kids through quite a process when they come through the building. There are a lot of people involved that are critical in our decision-making."

While feeling good about where the team stands, Schoen acknowledged there is still work to be done in the final days leading up to the draft, including meetings with coaches and additional Zoom calls with prospects.

Late-Stage Quarterback Workouts

When asked about reports of the Giants conducting private workouts with quarterbacks late in the pre-draft process, Schoen explained the timing:

"It's a unique calendar year. The draft is as early as it can be, that Thursday in April being the 24th. If you're speaking specifically of Colorado, their pro day was April 4th. That was the last one."

Schoen noted that the team's pre-draft meeting schedule was already in place when Colorado's late pro day occurred. He emphasized that private workouts are often scheduled after pro days to avoid potential injuries that could impact a prospect's performance in front of all 32 teams.

"These private workouts have been in place," Schoen clarified. "A lot of times these prospects won't do privates before their pro days. We're not just doing this with quarterbacks. There are a couple other positions that we have private workouts coming up as well."

Quarterback Considerations

Regarding the importance of selecting a quarterback in this draft, Schoen stated:

"I think we've put ourselves in a position where I don't think that's mandatory or something that we have to do. The two guys we signed [Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston] have played a lot of ball. They've got a lot of experience, and I do think we've upgraded that room compared to where it was a year ago."

While not ruling out drafting a quarterback, Schoen emphasized that the team won't force the issue if the value doesn't match up with their board. He noted that backup quarterbacks typically cost between $4-10 million, so finding a young, cost-controlled option in the middle rounds could provide financial flexibility.

"If you can get a quarterback in the third, fourth, fifth round, whatever it is, and he can be our backup quarterback, now you're opening up financial resources that you don't have to spend on a backup quarterback," Schoen explained.

Evaluating Prospects and Managing Risk

Schoen discussed the process of evaluating prospects with potential red flags or areas of concern:

"The issue doesn't change, whatever it is, depending on what it is. If it's medical, like if a guy is coming off shoulder surgery and won't be ready until October, do you drop that player a little bit since you're not going to get him until week eight? That's going to get better."

He contrasted that with other issues that may not improve over time, such as intelligence or off-field concerns. Schoen emphasized the importance of weighing the pros and cons while considering the team's support system:

"We're weighing the pros and cons and asking, can we fix what may cause them to fall? Is the risk worth the reward? And then, is that what we want to bring into our locker room?"

Positional Depth and Draft Strategies

When asked about the strength of the 2025 draft class, Schoen highlighted several position groups:

"I think the D-line group and the edge group, for us the outside backers and D-line, is a really deep group. I would say running backs is a deep group. There's some depth at corners. Those would be the ones where I think there's some good depth. There are some high-end guys at other positions, just maybe not as much depth."

Schoen also discussed the team's openness to trading up or down from their current draft position, noting that they've received some calls from teams interested in moving up.

Long-Term Planning and Roster Management

The Giants' GM emphasized the importance of considering future roster and salary cap implications when making draft decisions:

"We're always looking at that. Here's where we are salary cap-wise going into 2026. Here are our players that are going to be unrestricted free agents. If there's a guy there in the second round that could maybe be a backup year one, but then we don't have to pay somebody $20 million, you're looking at it that way."

Schoen noted that this long-term view applies to all positions, including quarterback. While acknowledging the desire to find a young franchise quarterback, he stressed that the value has to be right:

"You would like to have a young franchise quarterback. I think every general manager would want that. But the value has to be right, or it doesn't matter. You get that one wrong, you know, you just got to get that right. So when you're positioned to get the right one at the right time, that's when you pull the trigger."

Unique Prospects and Positional Flexibility

Schoen discussed the evaluation of unique prospects like Travis Hunter, who has expressed a desire to play both wide receiver and cornerback at the NFL level:

"Travis is a unique individual. You got to watch a lot of plays on him. He's fun to watch. It's unique that he has the ball skills, the route ability, and then also the ability to go to the other side and play corner. You just don't see that very often."

While acknowledging the potential challenges of playing both offense and defense at the NFL level, Schoen expressed confidence in Hunter's abilities:

"I wouldn't doubt the kid. He's that type of athlete, and he's had that type of production. It's insane the amount of snaps he played, the amount of snaps he plays a game. He's got that type of athleticism. He's got the right mindset. He's a great kid. So I wouldn't doubt him."

Balancing Best Player Available and Team Needs

Schoen explained the Giants' approach to balancing the best player available philosophy with addressing team needs:

"You're always doing that. You're always balancing that. But again, I've tried to set it up each year that we can go into the draft and we can play a game, and the hope is that you're better than you were the year before."

He emphasized the importance of not passing on elite talent, even if it's at a position of strength:

"If there is a blue-chip or generational type talent or something you just can't pass on, even if you maybe already have starters at that position, you just don't pass on that type of player."

Conclusion

As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, Joe Schoen and the New York Giants are maintaining a flexible approach, balancing short-term needs with long-term roster building. While open to various scenarios, including trading up or down, the team remains focused on selecting the best players available who can contribute to the Giants' success both immediately and in the future.

With a deep draft class at several key positions and the potential to add a franchise-changing talent, the Giants are well-positioned to strengthen their roster and build upon recent success. As Schoen noted, the team will continue their due diligence right up until draft day, ensuring they're prepared for any scenario that unfolds when they're on the clock.

Article created from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sv5g09s29Tw