E-GIANTS
Dave Klein was the Giants' beat writer for The Star-Ledger from 1961 to 1995.
He is the author of 26 books and he was one of only three sportswriters to have covered all the Super Bowls until the past few. Dave has allowed TEAM GIANTS to reprint some of his articles.

SCHOEN APPEARS TO BE LEANING AWAY FROM A 1ST ROUND QB

By Dave Klein
It's only days before the Giants make their first-round selection in the 2024 NFL draft - and people are still wondering if they're going to actually take a quarterback.

There have been scores of quasi reporters offering scores of mock first rounds, and many of them have included a quarterback for the Giants' first pick, and the identity of the target has been equally elusive.

But now there is a statement from GM Joe Schoen, who will make that final decision, and while it doesn't actually clear things up, it offers some insight.

He said would be "comfortable" with the three quarterbacks currently on the roster - Daniel Jones, Drew Lock and Tommy DeVito.

Lock is a six-year veteran signed from the Seattle Seahawks as the obvious backup to Jones, assuming the latter is healthy and can stay that way. It would appear that Schoen would be comfortable with the three signal-callers on the current roster.

"I think Drew's experience, he has started games and played, and Daniel's experience. And what Tommy [DeVito] did last year, another year in the system, Tommy's come a long way."

So what does this mean? Well, he keeps talking about a wide receiver (as if the Giants haven't drafted enough of them in the higher rounds lately, or have you mercifully forgotten the likes of Kadarius Toney?) and frankly, if they can improve their overall offensive status, a world-class ball-catcher wouldn't be a bad idea.

Speaking about the Giants' current receivers, Schoen said Jalin Hyatt "can take the top off" defenses. With Wan'Dale Robinson working in the slot, "I think you can really see what he was able to do late in the season when he was finally healthy." And Darius Slayton, he added, has been "uber consistent" during his time.

And his latest take on how the offense can be improved? "We have to score more points, and adding a better receiving weapon is going to help everybody."

There have been no setbacks with Jones, who has progressed to running straight line routes and throwing as he comes back from a season-ending knee injury. Lock is a veteran who signed a $5 million one-year contract as a free agent - and told he is the backup unless a disaster befalls Jones - while DeVito has untapped talent, according to many scouts, and his performance as a rookie replacement last season was exciting enough to warrant another opportunity.

"I do think it's a deep receiver draft," he added. “I think there are - although they come in different shapes and sizes and speeds, but I do think it's a deep wide receiver draft from top to bottom, depending on what you're looking for. Some added value with guys, the new kickoff rules, the guys that can also do returns. I think there's an added element there, too, and there are some receivers who can wear multiple hats, not just as a receiver, but also as a returner. Yeah, I do think it's a good draft."

And what he does with it, beginning Thursday night, will go a long way toward determining what the Giants do with the 2024 season - with or without a new quarterback..

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