New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen took several risks before the 2024-25 NFL season. Perhaps the biggest move was not re-signing Saquon Barkley during the off-season. Unfortunately, with the Giants record at 2-7, those risks haven’t paid off.
Case in point is second-year Giants cornerback Deonte Banks. Banks showed flashes during his rookie season. Perhaps even the potential to be a showdown corner. But this season for the second-year corner has been a nightmare. Deonte Banks’ struggles with the Giants are the latest example of Schoen’s miscues.
Banks is Struggling to be a Shutdown Corner
When Schoen put together the Giants’ roster in the off-season, he bet big on his offensive and defensive lines. He acquired linebacker Brian Burns to complement defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux and defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence. He signed veteran offensive linemen to help left tackle Andrew Thomas. The one virtually untouched unit was the secondary.
Schoen was hoping promising second-year corner Giants Deonte Banks would step up and lead a very young unit. Gone were veteran safeties Julian Love and Xavier McKinney. Unfortunately for the Giants, the secondary has struggled.
Banks has been exposed against opponents’ No. 1 receivers. In the Giants game against the Washington Commanders, Jayden Daniels and wide receiver Terry McLaurin torched Banks for two touchdowns. Corners will get beat but what’s more concerning is Banks’ lack of effort on key plays.
During the Week 7 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles, Banks failed to tackle quarterback Jalen Hurts on a scramble along the Giants sideline. A week later, Banks struggled again and was benched in Week 8 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. His defensive lapses got the attention of his teammates and coaches.
The young corner from Maryland has said all the right things during post-game interviews, but his play has not improved. Banks is not a shutdown corner yet. Another underperforming top draft pick could be Schoen’s undoing.
Schoen’s Personnel Moves are a Mixed Bag
In his two years as general manager, Schoen’s personnel moves are a mixed bag. He’s acquired veteran defensive players who have improved the front seven. Unfortunately, the Giants’ inability to sustain drives, score touchdowns, and porous secondary overshadow any defensive strengths. Plus, Schoen gave up a third-round pick to acquire tight end Darren Waller in 2023. After one unproductive season that ended in injury, Waller retired from the NFL before the start of this season.
That said, Schoen’s biggest failures are his draft picks.
In Schoen’s first year as Giants’ GM, he selected Kayvon Thibodeaux fifth overall in the first round of the NFL draft. When he’s on the field, Thibodeaux has failed to live up to the expectations of his draft status. But there’s still time for him to improve.
In the same draft, Schoen selected tackle Evan Neal seventh overall. The front office hoped Neal would form a dynamic duo with Andrew Thomas for the next decade. So far, he has been a major disappointment and can’t get on the field.
Even as the Giants suffered injuries to their offensive line this season, Neal has only played in two games and has not started a game. Unless he miraculously turns his play around, he will be a bust.
While the Giants are playing a lot of young players from Schoen’s drafts, few have made an impact.
For example, wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson is a regular starter but has too many drops to be a legitimate weapon. Biletnikoff award-winning receiver Jalin Hyatt is stuck behind Darius Slayton on the depth chart and rarely gets snaps.
GMs earn their reputation from the play of their draft picks and to this point, Schoen’s picks are a mixed bag.
What’s the Future
With another losing season almost guaranteed, the Giants need to evaluate their players, coaches, and front office before next season. While head coach Brian Daboll may be the right man for the job, Giants’ ownership must ask themselves, can Schoen evaluate young talent?
That’s the million-dollar question. If the play of Schoen’s top draft picks are indicative of his eye for talent, the answer is no. Changes could be on the horizon.
Main Photo Courtesy of Vincent Carchietta – Imagn Images
