We already knew how this story ended — but only because we know how the 2024 NFL Draft ultimately unfolded. However, we still got to have some fun and learn a few new things in the season finale of “Hard Knocks: Offseason with the New York Giants” by taking a behind-the-scenes look at what transpired from inside the team’s draft war room during those pivotal days in late April.
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Tuesday night’s episode was centered almost entirely around the three-day NFL Draft. Therefore, we’ll break up our review into six sections, for each of the Giants’ six draft picks. Let’s dive in:
In case you missed it:
Episode 1 recap:Exploring a Saquon Barkley trade and ‘not giving up’ on Daniel Jones
Episode 2 recap:Malik Nabers piques interest at NFL combine
Episode 3 recap:Free-agent frenzy and a farewell to Saquon Barkley
Episode 4 recap: The hunt for a new franchise quarterback
Round 1, pick 6: WR Malik Nabers
The Giants were on the clock once the Los Angeles Chargers selected left tackle Joe Alt at No. 5. Even though they knew whom they were likely to pick, the Giants were in no hurry to hand in their card.
“Wait and see if the phone rings,” Giants GM Joe Schoen said.
It did.
The first call came from Indianapolis Colts GM Chris Ballard, who offered pick No. 15, No. 46, as well as next year’s second-rounder for No. 6. But Schoen wasn’t interested, saying he didn’t want to move back as far as No. 15.
The next call came from New York Jets GM Joe Douglas, but we didn’t get to hear what he offered. All we heard was Schoen saying the Giants were going to make the pick at No. 6.
Throughout the series, we’ve been shown just how much the coaching staff liked Nabers, so there’s not much new here beyond seeing him officially become a Giant. However, after making the pick, Schoen spoke about how difficult it is to find a wide receiver at a good price.
“It’s hard to find those guys,” the GM said. “Especially outside of the draft. It’s going to cost you a lot in free agency, so we’re excited to get him.”
The series wraps with the Giants working out this spring. Nabers is shown on the field talking with quarterback Daniel Jones before coach Brian Daboll tapped his new receiver’s helmet and said, “I’m glad you’re here, buddy. You’re going to be a damn good player.”
Round 2, pick 47: S Tyler Nubin
Day 2 of the draft began with the Giants’ quest to find a starting cornerback. The team did not bring back veteran Adoree’ Jackson, leaving second-year player Deonte Banks as the only sure starter on the outside.
The Giants had two targets at No. 47: Alabama’s Kool-Aid McKinstry and Georgia’s Kamari Lassiter. But we learn despite really liking both players, the Giants weren’t prepared to make a trade up the board to secure one.
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“It just didn’t make sense to move up this year and give up picks when we need to utilize all six of our picks,” Schoen said.
McKinstry and Lassiter end up coming off the board at No. 41 and No. 42, so the Giants pivot. They still need a safety after letting Xavier McKinney leave for Green Bay during free agency.
In a meeting from earlier on Day 2 of the draft, Schoen highlighted Nubin’s ability to take away the ball, which he noted from their studies of the safety position, typically translates well to the NFL.
Then on draft night, we saw defensive coordinator Shane Bowen tell Schoen that Nubin was his No. 1 player on the board in that scenario and that he believed the safety could contribute in Year 1.
Round 3, No. 70: CB Dru Phillips
Despite missing out on their two top cornerback choices, the Giants wanted to go back to the position, but with a little bit of a twist. Before the pick, we saw Schoen talk about Phillips with Bowen and defensive passing game coordinator/DB coach Jerome Henderson.
“Where we are now, obviously you see the big drop-off to the corners, but the nickels, Phillips is a three-down nickel for you guys?” Schoen asked both.
The two coaches confirmed that assessment and the Giants made the pick.
We also got a little insight into the draft process with footage of Daboll asking Phillips in a meeting what his No. 1 trait as a football player is.
“It’s my toughness,” Phillips said. “I ain’t scared of nobody out on that field.”
Round 4, No. 107: TE Theo Johnson
Darren Waller hadn’t announced his retirement yet, but the Giants knew that it was a possibility, so tight end was a priority in the draft. The Giants had a lot of conversations with the Penn State tight end, and Schoen said there was conviction in the player because of all the time spent together. We saw evidence of that with a clip of offensive passing game coordinator/quarterbacks coach Shea Tierney talking to Johnson at the Senior Bowl, as well as a meeting with Daboll and footage of scouts at Penn State’s pro day.
One of the best quotes from the episode came when Schoen was reading a text from someone not revealed on the show about Johnson to Daboll.
“He said, ‘Theo Johnson equals straight dog,’” Schoen read. “‘Had him at the Senior Bowl. He never turned down a rep at practice and just the fact that he’s got an edge to him. Respectful but ain’t afraid to scrap.’”
The @Giants were fired up to draft @PennStateFball TE @theo_Johnson_ 🔥
Season Finale of #HardKnocks Offseason with the @Giants airs tonight at 9pm ET on @StreamOnMax. #Giants100 pic.twitter.com/qjrfVRyEyP
— NFL (@NFL) July 30, 2024
Round 5, No. 166: RB Tyrone Tracy Jr.
The Giants brought in Devin Singletary in free agency as a replacement for Saquon Barkley. But that didn’t mean they were done adding at the position. They drafted Tracy, who spent most of his collegiate career as a wide receiver. There was insight from assistant GM Brandon Brown on the selection.
“Knew there’d be an opp for Tyrone Tracy,” Brown said. “Perceived flaws were: Tyrone’s an older prospect, not a lot of time in the running back room. We flipped it and looked at the positive: He’s a former receiver that can help in the pass game. He can play all three downs. He had a strong all-star game. Wired the right way. Coaches raved about him.
“And then our analytics department: they gave us a lot of supporting evidence where he has explosive play per touch. He ranked up there toward the top of all the running backs in the draft.”
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• Unfortunately, we didn’t get any insight into the Giants’ final selection: linebacker Darius Muasau, a sixth-round linebacker (No. 183 overall).
• Coaching and scouting staff gathered for a post-draft party at a local New Jersey restaurant. While the series largely featured Schoen’s family, Daboll’s wife Beth and Schoen’s wife Marie took center stage here. The two met for the first time in Buffalo and became friends. Beth said, “I am like Joe, and I’m very chill. Nothing bothers me. Could have a hundred things to do, and I’m like, ‘Oh it’s fine.’ And Marie is Daboll. They’re running around hyper. Everything has to be an event. We just hit it off right away.”
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• The morning after the draft, Schoen met with his scouting staff for review meetings. Schoen told college area scout Hannah Burnett: “I thought you did a good job this year. I think you’re an excellent teammate. Humble. You’re open to constructive criticism. I think you continue to get better each year.”
He also told national scout Jeremy Breit: “I think you do a great job. I appreciate what you bring to the group and bring to the table. I think having the veteran voice in the room is helpful. I trust your eyes. I trust your evaluations. That helps me.”
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(Photo: Noah K. Murray / Associated Press)
Charlotte Carroll covers the New York Giants for The Athletic. She previously covered the University of Connecticut basketball and the WNBA's Connecticut Sun for The Athletic and wrote for Sports Illustrated. She interned at The Denver Post and Field & Stream magazine. Follow Charlotte on Twitter @charlottecrrll
