This past year the Giants and the Jets showed their fans that the future is closer than it seems. With both teams having success in 2022, all eyes were set for even bigger steps heading into the 2023 season. The NFL Draft is often called the most important day of the year for most franchises and in New York all eyes were looking at what these two teams would do.
The Jets made their huge offseason splash just before the draft by trading for their new QB, eventual Hall of Famer, Aaron Rodgers. Gang Green though still had some improvements to make. In the first round most pundits believed they needed an offensive lineman. They decided to go with Will McDonald, the edge rusher from Iowa State. McDonald is a solid player and will work great with this defensive minded staff, but at the time it felt like a reactionary pick by the Jets. They grabbed their future center in Joe Tippman from Wisconsin in the second round. Centers usually fall in the draft and that is why this first round talent was still on the board. Carter Warren went next and he solidifies depth in the offensive line. He was followed by a backup RB, LB, DB and a tight end with talent.
All in all the Jets felt like they were reaching in the first round but they corrected course and had a very solid draft. This isn't an A+ class, but a B- with upside is certainly a fair grade.
The Giants meanwhile had more needs in the draft than they could correct, and wound up impressing their fans and draft experts. New York selected Deonte Banks. Banks is a corner that most didn't believe would fall to their spot and he could quickly become Big Blue's #1 corner as soon as next season. John Michael Schmitz, the offensive lineman from Minnesota was projected by many to be a top 20 pick. This is another case of lineman dropping in this draft and the GMen got first round value in round 2. Jalin Hyatt has some knocks on him but a receiver of his explosiveness in the third round is pure value and he can become a legit threat in the pros. The Giants finished the draft off by selecting Eric Gray to be a depth RB, they grabbed a second corner, some D-line rotational depth, and finished the draft with a safety.
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The NFL Draft was very successful for both New York teams and both fan bases have to be even more hopeful than they were at the end of the season.