NFC Staff Updates: Giants, Falcons, Vikings, Rams, Eagles
As is common in the wake of the 2025 NFL Draft, several teams have been making updates to their front offices. One of the latest such clubs to do so is the Giants, who made a number of changes to their scouting staff recently.
According to Dan Duggan of The Athletic, the Giants and national scout Mike Derice have parted ways. Derice had been in the role for three years, joining the team shortly after the 2022 draft. The change comes as a bit of surprise with so much positive reception to the team’s last two drafts.
A new face will join the scouting department, though, as Jordan Raanan of ESPN reports that the team has hired Tyson Beane as a scouting assistant. Tyson Beane is the son of Bills general manager Brandon Beane. With Giants general manager Joe Schoen having served five years in Buffalo as Beane’s assistant general manager, it makes sense for Tyson to land in New York, if not Buffalo.
Per Raanan, the Giants also lost a member of their coaching staff, as well. Offensive assistant Angela Baker has reportedly left the organization in order to pursue opportunities elsewhere in the NFL. Baker had worked with the team since 2022.
Here are a few other staff updates from around the NFC:
- The Falcons also made a pair of changes, per Neil Stratton of SucceedinFootball.com. Stratton noted a change in the LinkedIn account of Andy Grossman, showing a promotion from football data analyst to senior football data analyst. After working on staff at Northwestern, Grossman joined Atlanta back in 2022.
- On the scouting side of things, Stratton adds the Falcons are saying goodbye to national scout Joel Collier, who has been with the team since 2016. After starting as a graduate assistant at Syracuse from 1988-89, Collier served as an NFL assistant coach from 1990-2007, working with the Buccaneers, Patriots, and Dolphins and taking one year in 1993 to work as a pro scout for the Patriots. His NFL coaching career came to an end when he was hired as assistant general manager of the Chiefs, a role he held for six years. He arrived in Atlanta as director of pro personnel in 2016 before being reassigned to national scout in 2019.
- Stratton also informs us that another NFL staffer with 30-plus years of experience has parted ways with their most recent employer. The Vikings have reportedly parted ways with personnel scout Frank Acevedo. Acevedo has been in Minnesota for the last 23 years after starting his NFL career with seven seasons in Kansas City. He will explore other options in 2025.
- The Rams also announced a number of updates to their scouting staff, per Stratton. Two scouting apprentices earned promotions as Cory Moore was named an area scout and Michael Young was named a pro scout. Roman Cooper was also hired to serve as senior scouting assistant.
- Lastly, the Eagles have hired Smit Bajaj to serve as a quantitative analyst for the team. Bajaj was recently part of the winning team in this year’s NFL Big Data Bowl competition, helping him to earn this opportunity. Seth Walder of ESPN tells us that Bajaj will start in July.
NFC East Rumors: Cowboys, Eagles, Strahan
The Athletic beat writer Charlotte Carroll was astute to notice that someone other than head coach Brian Daboll was calling plays at Giants minicamp recently. This report was confirmed when SportsNet New York’s Connor Hughes saw assistant head coach and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka calling plays for the second day in a row.
While this may suggest some uncertainty about who will be calling the offense for New York in 2025, Paul Schwartz of the New York Post was quick to report that a change isn’t likely at this time. Kafka was originally given play-calling duties for the first time in his career during Daboll’s first year as the head coach. Daboll had wanted his focus to be more big-picture and had assigned the responsibility to Kafka. Just before the 2024 season, though, Daboll took over play-calling duties for the whole year.
A time may come in which Kafka gets another opportunity to call plays in the NFL, but for now, his lack of experience in comparison to Daboll’s is likely to keep the responsibility with the head coach in 2025.
Here are a few more rumors from around the NFC East:
- After missing his entire rookie season with a torn ACL in the preseason, Cowboys linebacker DeMarvion Overshown had a productive debut season in 2024. In 13 games, Overshown started 12 contests and stuffed the stat sheet in the process. He tallied 90 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, five sacks, five quarterback hits, four passes defensed, an interception returned for a touchdown, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. Unfortunately, that production came to a screeching halt when he suffered late-season tears to his ACL, MCL, and PCL. Overshown is making sure not to rush anything in his recovery, telling RJ Ochoa of SB Nation that, while he hasn’t ruled out starting in Week 1, he knows he’ll probably be starting the season on the physically unable to perform list. Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram adds that November has been identified as a realistic target for Overshown’s return.
- Ben VanSumeren is entering his third season with the Eagles. While he has made two starts in his career, his main impact has come on special teams. Even more interesting, VanSumeren’s rookie-year start was on defense at linebacker, but his second-year start was on offense as a fullback. In fact, all of his non-special teams snaps were on defense as a rookie and on offense in his sophomore campaign. According to Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer, head coach Nick Sirianni disclosed that, after re-signing VanSumeren, the third-year player has been officially labeled a fullback. While the team intends to cross-train him in both rooms, he will begin in the running backs room in 2025.
- Lastly, it was recently reported that Eli Manning is not the only former Giant looking to acquire an ownership stake in the franchise. According to Schwartz, Hall of Fame pass rusher Michael Strahan will compete with Manning in an attempt to buy up to a 10 percent ownership stake in the Giants. Strahan is pairing with billionaire Marc Lasry to put together their bid.
Giants’ Draft Plan Turned Off Some Veteran QB Targets
The Giants now have their quarterback room assembled, adding Jameis Winston, Russell Wilson and Jaxson Dart to join Tommy DeVito. This is the first room assembled by the current regime, which inherited Daniel Jones and stuck with the Dave Gettleman draftee for three years.
A Winston-Wilson pairing to join Dart did not check in as the Giants’ preference, as the team aggressively pursued Matthew Stafford and extended an offer to Aaron Rodgers. Stafford regrouped with the Rams, spurning Giants and Raiders proposals, while Rodgers’ Vikings preference became clear. The Giants may well have sat third in Rodgers’ rankings, as he met with the Steelers on a visit four days before the Giants agreed to terms with Wilson.
Rodgers held a private discussions with Brian Daboll, according to ESPN.com’s Jordan Raanan, who adds some of the available quarterbacks were not onboard with joining a Giants team viewed as one that could then use a high draft choice on the position. Based on how the Steelers proceeded in the draft, Rodgers could certainly be assumed as a player who fits that description. While the increasingly outspoken QB said during a Pat McAfee Show offseason interview he would not object to a team doing what it needed to do in the draft, Pittsburgh not choosing a passer until Round 6 (Will Howard) proves telling.
The Giants made their move much earlier, trading up for Jaxson Dart without using a future first- or second-round pick to do so. New York, which could not convince New England to accept its 2024 trade-up proposal (aimed at acquiring Drake Maye) or Tennessee to sign off on a Cam Ward-geared pursuit this year, used No. 34 overall and 2025 and ’26 third-rounders to move up for Dart.
Stafford was briefly available, and Rodgers continues to hold off on a Steelers signing. It is not known if the Giants engaged with the Seahawks on Geno Smith, but they did look closely at a Sam Darnold pursuit. PFR’s No. 1 2025 free agent, Darnold was believed to be high on the Giants’ QB list in March. Coming off a bounce-back season with the Vikings, Darnold carried tremendous value due to his 2024 form and age. The 2018 Jets draftee will not turn 28 until June, and after he had signed on to be a bridge QB in Minnesota last year, a 35-touchdown pass season gave him more leverage on the market this year. It would thus be unsurprising if Darnold did not strongly consider a Giants team that had also been closely tied to a QB draft move for months.
Darnold returning to New York, considering how his Jets run went, also loomed as a hurdle in the Giants’ path. The eighth-year veteran is now a Seahawk, having joined the team on a deal (three years, $100.5MM) that reminds of Derek Carr‘s 2022 Raiders extension. Seattle can escape the contract with fairly low dead money by releasing Darnold before a roster bonus is due in mid-February. The Seahawks did discuss their Jalen Milroe plans with Darnold, who enters the season as the team’s clear-cut starter.
Daboll has confirmed Wilson is the Giants’ starter, but with the team investing plenty in Dart in a year that features Daboll and GM Joe Schoen on hot seats, the No. 25 overall pick usurping the ex-Seahawks superstar early in the season should not be ruled out.
The Giants do open their season with a gauntlet, as six games against 2024 playoff teams reside on their schedule’s first eight weeks. A friendlier second half does present a Dart runway, but Daboll and Schoen already moved to their respective hot seats based largely on the Jones situation. It stands to reason they will want to at least see Dart in action early, as pressure mounts, though the team will also need to balance this desire out with a debut range that would make the Ole Miss prospect look promising.
Giants OLB Victor Dimukeje Suffers Torn Pec
Giants outside linebacker Victor Dimukeje sustained a torn pectoral during offseason workouts with the team, per ESPN’s Jordan Raanan.
The 2021 sixth-rounder will have to spend the summer rehabbing the injury, though he could be healthy by the start of the regular season. Dimukeje recorded 4.0 sacks in 2023 for the Cardinals, but went sack-less in his other three seasons in Arizona. He signed a one-year, $1.34MM contract with the Giants this offseason that contains just under $170k in guaranteed money.
Missing time during training camp will negatively impact Dimukeje’s chances of making the 53-man roster. The Giants have three potential starting edge rushers in Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux, and No. 3 pick Abdul Carter, but their depth is questionable. Free agent signing Chauncey Golston broke out with 5.5 sacks last year but has little experience playing as a 3-4 outside linebacker as required in Shane Bowen‘s defense. The ex-Cowboy profiles more as a designated pass-rusher, which would leave Dimukeje and Tomon Fox competing for the OLB4 roster spot. Both have been unproductive in their careers thus far.
The Giants also signed undrafted rookie Trace Ford, an athletic edge-rusher out of Oklahoma who recorded 7.5 sacks in two college seasons before a 2021 injury and just 2.5 since. He tested well at his pro day and could make his case for a roster spot while Dimukeje is recovering.
WR Gabe Davis To Meet With Giants
The Gabriel Davis free agency tour continues. After meeting with the 49ers yesterday, the recently released wide receiver is set to meet with the Giants, according to FOX Sports’ Jordan Schultz.
[RELATED: WR Gabe Davis Visits 49ers]
It was only a year ago that Davis inked a three-year, $39MM deal with the Jaguars. However, a disappointing 2024 campaign led to him earning his walking papers last week. The veteran hauled in a career-low 20 receptions for 239 yards and two touchdowns before undergoing season-ending surgery on a torn meniscus.
Despite the disappointing showing in Jacksonville, it’s not surprising that teams are still eyeing the wideout. Davis had four productive seasons in Buffalo to begin his career. This included 2023 and 2024 campaigns where the former fourth-round pick hauled in 93 receptions for 1,582 yards and 14 touchdowns across 32 games. Davis also had a standout 2021 playoff run where he found the end zone on half of his 10 receptions.
The Giants would be a natural landing spot for the receiver. For starters, Davis already has a connection to the staff. Giants head coach Brian Daboll was the Bills’ offensive coordinator during the player’s first two years in the NFL, while Giants GM Joe Schoen was Buffalo’s assistant GM when they selected the player in the draft. Dan Duggan of The Athletic notes that Daboll and Schoen are already familiar with what Davis brings to the table, so the upcoming visit will likely be focused on the status of the player’s knee.
The Giants have perpetually had a need for more wide receivers, and that sentiment hasn’t ended this offseason. Malik Nabers, Wan’Dale Robinson, and Darius Slayton will continue to lead the depth chart, with Jalin Hyatt and free agent addition Zach Pascal rounding out the veteran options. The team notably didn’t add a player at the position via the draft, although they did sign five UDFA players at the position.
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/12/25
Here are the latest minor moves from around the NFL:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: LB Caleb Johnson
- Released: WR Phillip Dorsett
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: K John Hoyland, FB Lucas Scott
Chicago Bears
- Signed: CB Jeremiah Walker
- Placed on Exempt/International Player list: P Tory Taylor
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed: S Shaquan Loyal
- Waived: CB Micah Abraham
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: WR Luke Floriea, WR Kisean Johnson, WR Cade McDonald
- Waived: S Trey Dean, DE Marcus Haynes, FB Eli Wilson
- Waived/injured: WR Ja’Seem Reed
Denver Broncos
- Signed: LB Jordan Turner, WR Kyrese White, LS Zach Triner, TE Cole Fotheringham
- Waived: CB Kendall Bohler, LB K.J. Cloyd, NT Christian Dowell, TE Thomas Yassmin
- Placed on Exempt/International Player list: P Jeremy Crawshaw
Detroit Lions
- Signed; TE Luke Deal, WR Malik Taylor, DL Raequan Williams
- Waived: TE Caden Prieskorn
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: QB Taylor Elgersma
- Released: OL Marquis Hayes
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: C Mose Vavao
- Waived: DT Joe Evans
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: DE Jahfari Harvey, WR Ketron Jackson Jr., WR Key’Shawn Smith, LB Wesley Steiner
- Waived: OT Dominic Boyd, LB Amari Burney, DT Matthew Butler, WR Tyleik McAllister, LB Brandon Smith
- Released: WR Kristian Wilkerson
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: WR Dalevon Campbell, LB Kana’i Mauga
- Waived: OL Bucky Williams
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: CB Kendall Sheffield
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: LB Matt Harmon, DL Elijah Williams
New England Patriots
- Signed: DT Isaiah Iton, G Mehki Butler, DT Wilfried Pene
- Waived: OT Cole Birdow
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: S Terrell Burgess, QB Hunter Dekkers
- Waived: S Millard Bradford, RB Jordan Mims
New York Giants
- Signed: CB T.J. Moore
- Waived: DB R.J. Delancey, DB Tommy McCormick
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: RB Max Hurleman, T Gareth Warren
- Released: RB Aaron Shampklin
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: LB Stone Blanton
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: WR Montorie Foster
- Waived: WR River Cracraft
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: DL Dvon J-Thomas
- Waived; LB Deion Jennings, TE Anthony Landphere
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: TE Drake Dabney,WR TJ Sheffield
- Waived: CB Virgil Lemons, S Jerrin Thompson
Hoyland converted 79.3% of his field goal attempts for the Wyoming Cowboys across the last five years. He was ultra-consistent on extra points with 147 makes on 148 tries. Hoyland will compete with sixth-round pick Tyler Loop for the Ravens’ kicking job after the team released Justin Tucker.
Sheffield brings some much-needed experience to the Dolphins’ cornerback room, though he hasn’t started since 2020. He could provide crucial veteran depth in Miami, especially if Jalen Ramsey is traded.
Elgersma was the starting quarterback at Wilfried Laurier University in Ontario, Canada, for the last three years. In 2024, he won the Hec Crighton Trophy – the Canadian equivalent to the Heisman – and earned an invitation to the Senior Bowl, the first-ever for a Canadian QB. Elgersma was drafted in the second round of the 2025 CFL Draft by the Winnepeg Blue Bombers, but a successful tryout with the Packers will give him a chance at making an NFL roster.
Giants To Re-Sign WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey
MAY 12: Humphrey’s free agent stay is coming to an end. Art Stapleton of NJ.com reports the Giants are re-signing him, with last week’s release having simply been a procedural move to open up a roster spot for rookie minicamp. Humphrey will spend OTAs and minicamp competing for a role in New York.
MAY 9: Lil’Jordan Humphrey held a regular role for the Broncos over the past two seasons, leading to a deal with the Giants. But the latter partnership looks set to be short-lived.
The Giants brought in the veteran wide receiver in late March, adding him on a one-year deal worth $1.25MM, but KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson reports the team has decided to move on already. This will not bring much in dead money (just $25K), and Humphrey will head back to free agency.
This move might not have escaped our minor moves section prior to Humphrey’s Denver tenure, but the big-bodied wideout showed himself to be valuable for the playoff-bound team last season. The Broncos used Humphrey on 50% of their offensive snaps last season (a career-high 546), turning to him as a veteran Courtland Sutton sidekick while developing a host of rookie-contract players. Although the Broncos had signed Josh Reynolds, Humphrey ended up playing a regular role throughout the season.
Scoring three touchdowns in 2023, Humphrey built on that auxiliary work by posting career-high marks in receptions (31) and yards (293) last season. The 6-foot-4 target’s lone score came on a catch-and-run in a Broncos shutout win over the Falcons, but the team relied on the ex-Sean Payton Saints cog as a blocker as well. Pro Football Focus graded Humphrey as a top-25 run blocker at the position in 2024. Humphrey’s past two seasons likely will land him another opportunity, though he has bounced around the league over the course of his career.
Mostly serving as a Payton charge, Humphrey also saw time for the 2022 Patriots. The Giants added him after re-signing Darius Slayton. New York also rosters former Day 2 draftees Wan’Dale Robinson and Jalin Hyatt at the position, while Ihmir Smith-Marsette and Bryce Ford-Wheaton join free agency addition Zach Pascal in New York’s Malik Nabers-fronted receiving corps.
NFL Draft Pick Signings: 5/9/25
We saw a busy day of 2025 NFL Draft pick signings today. Here are the mid- to late-round picks who inked their four-year rookie deals:
Arizona Cardinals
- OLB Jordan Burch (third round, Oregon)
- CB Denzel Burke (fifth round, Ohio State)
- G Hayden Conner (sixth round, Texas)
- S Kitan Crawford (seventh round, Nevada)
Buffalo Bills
- DE Landon Jackson (third round, Arkansas)
- CB Jordan Hancock (fifth round, Ohio State)
- TE Jackson Hawes (fifth round, Georgia Tech)
- CB Dorian Strong (sixth round, Virginia Tech)
- T Chase Lundt (sixth round, Connecticut)
- WR Kaden Prather (seventh round, Maryland)
Cincinnati Bengals
- G Dylan Fairchild (third round, Georgia)
- LB Barrett Carter (fourth round, Clemson)
- T Jalen Rivers (fifth round, Miami)
- RB Tahj Brooks (sixth round, Texas Tech)
Detroit Lions
- G Miles Frazier (fifth round, LSU)
- DE Ahmed Hassanein (sixth round, Boise State)
- S Dan Jackson (seventh round, Georgia)
- WR Dominic Lovett (seventh round, Georgia)
Houston Texans
- S Jaylen Reed (sixth round, Penn State)
- QB Graham Mertz (sixth round, Florida)
- DT Kyonte Hamilton (seventh round, Rutgers)
- TE Luke Lachey (seventh round, Iowa)
Jacksonville Jaguars
- CB Caleb Ransaw (third round, Tulane)
- G Wyatt Milum (third round (West Virginia)
- LB Jalen McLeod (sixth round, Auburn)
- S Rayuan Lane III (sixth round, Navy)
- C Jonah Monheim (seventh round, USC)
- RB LeQuint Allen (seventh round, Syracuse)
Las Vegas Raiders
- WR Dont’e Thornton Jr. (fourth round, Tennessee)
Los Angeles Chargers
- DT Jamaree Caldwell (third round, Oregon)
- OLB Kyle Kennard (fourth round, South Carolina)
- WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith (fifth round, Auburn)
- TE Oronde Gadsden II (fifth round, Syracuse)
- G Branson Taylor (sixth round, Pittsburgh)
- S RJ Mickens (sixth round, Clemson)
- S Trikweze Bridges (seventh round, Florida)
Minnesota Vikings
- WR Tai Felton (third round, Maryland)
- DE Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins (fifth round, Georgia)
- LB Kobe King (sixth round, Penn State)
- TE Gavin Bartholomew (sixth round, Pittsburgh)
New England Patriots
- WR Kyle Williams (third round, Washington State)
- C Jared Wilson (third round, Georgia)
- DT Joshua Farmer (fourth round, Florida State)
- OLB Bradyn Swinson (fifth round, LSU)
- K Andy Borregales (sixth round, Miami)
- T Marcus Bryant (seventh round, Missouri)
- LS Julian Ashby (seventh round, Vanderbilt)
- CB Kobee Minor (seventh round, Memphis)
New York Giants
- G Marcus Mbow (fifth round, Purdue)
- TE Thomas Fidone II (seventh round, Nebraska)
New York Jets
- CB Korie Black (seventh round, Oklahoma State)
Pittsburgh Steelers
- RB Kaleb Johnson (third round, Iowa)
- OLB Jack Sawyer (fourth round, Ohio State)
- DT Yahya Black (fifth round, Iowa)
- QB Will Howard (sixth round, Ohio State)
- LB Carson Bruener (seventh round, Washington)
- CB Donte Kent (seventh round, Central Michigan)
San Francisco 49ers
- LB Nick Martin (third round, Oklahoma State)
- CB Upton Stout (third round, Western Kentucky)
- WR Jordan Watkins (fourth round, Ole Miss)
- RB Jordan James (fifth round, Oregon)
- S Marques Sigle (fifth round, Kansas State)
- G Connor Colby (seventh round, Iowa)
- WR Junior Bergen (seventh round, Montana)
Tennessee Titans
- S Kevin Winston Jr. (third round, Penn State)
- WR Elic Ayomanor (fourth round, Stanford)
- G Jackson Slater (fifth round, Sacramento State)
- CB Marcus Harris (sixth round, California)
- RB Kalel Mullings (sixth round, Michigan)
Washington Commanders
- WR Jaylin Lane (fourth round, Virginia Tech)
- LB Kain Medrano (sixth round, UCLA)
- RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt (seventh round, Arizona)
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/9/25
Here are the minor NFL transactions to close out the week:
Arizona Cardinals
- Received roster exemption (international player): OL Valentin Senn
Atlanta Falcons
- Received roster exemption (international player): K Lenny Krieg
- Waived: DT Junior Aho
Buffalo Bills
- Claimed off waivers (from Giants): DT Casey Rogers
Carolina Panthers
- Reverted to IR: DT Popo Aumavae
- Waived: OLB Kenny Dyson
Cincinnati Bengals
- Received roster exemption (international player): S Dante Barnett
Detroit Lions
- Received roster exemption (international player): DE Ahmed Hassanein
Houston Texans
- Waived: G Nick Broeker
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: RB Ulysses Bentley IV
- Received roster exemption (international player): S Marcel Dabo
- Waived: G Atonio Mafi, DT Pheldarius Payne
Las Vegas Raiders
- Waived (with failed physical designation): WR Jeff Foreman
Los Angeles Chargers
- Waived: OLB Chris Collins
Minnesota Vikings
- Received roster exemption (international player): P Oscar Chapman
New York Jets
- Received roster exemption (international player): G Leander Wiegand
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: CB Dallis Flowers
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: LB D’Eryk Jackson
Dyson was cut from the team after news that running back Jonathon Brooks‘ placement on the physically unable to perform list would, in fact, still count him against the 90-man roster limit. They initially were told by the league that he would not count, but the updated guidance today necessitated that they lose a man.
Jackson joins Seattle’s undrafted free agent rookie class after they announced their 17 signees almost a week ago. A successful rookie minicamp tryout led to him securing a contract.
Similarly, Bentley, for whatever reason was also announced separately from the Colts’ UDFA class, even though the class was announced only a few hours before his signing. The 24-year-old hasn’t been a lead back since his 2020 season at SMU, but in three years apiece at SMU and Ole Miss, Bentley never averaged below five yards per carry in a season.
Giants Made Draft-Day Attempt To Acquire No. 1 Pick
To no surprise, the Giants were one of two teams which exited the opening night of this year’s draft with a quarterback, with the Titans being the other. Just before Cam Ward officially became the top pick, the teams discussed a trade. 
Giants general manager Joe Schoen called counterpart Mike Borgonzi to discuss the first overall pick, as shown in the debut episode of the team’s Giants Life documentary (video link). The conversation proved to be rather brief, with Schoen remaining convinced the Titans turned aside the last-minute trade interest to select Ward. Minutes later, they did just that.
Moving out of the No. 1 slot was seen as a distinct possibility early in the offseason as a result of Tennessee’s myriad roster needs and the less-than-stellar nature of this year’s QB class. Over time, though, Ward distanced himself as the top option for signal-callers and a strong showing during the pre-draft process convinced the Titans to stand pat. That left suitors for the top selections – such as the Giants – to move in a different direction during the draft.
Just like Cleveland (which originally owned the second overall pick), New York (No. 3) showed interest well before the start of the draft in moving up to the top spot. A report from March linked both the Giants and Jets to pursuing a trade for the No. 1 pick, but by the start of April it appeared Schoen and Co. were convinced doing so would not be possible. That proved to be the case, albeit not without a last-minute attempt on the part of the Giants.
Schoen left the door open to a quarterback being selected third overall, although by the time edge rusher Abdul Carter heard his name called that move came as no surprise. After retaining the No. 3 selection, New York ultimately swung a deal to move back into the Day 1 order and select Jaxson Dart 25th overall. The Ole Miss product will spend his rookie season on a depth chart which also includes free agent additions Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston.
Dart gained traction as a first-round prospect in the build-up to the draft, and he found himself the second passer to come off the board. Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll have their potential long-term answer under center in the fold as a result while their respective tenures remain a question after three years at the helm. It will be interesting to see how Dart’s New York tenure unfolds against the backdrop of the team’s continued efforts to acquire Ward prior to selecting him.