NEWSLETTER
Post-draft behind-the-scenes videos are on the rise around the NFL. And this one featuring the New York Giants is a doozy.
Here’s the set-up: The Giants were angling to draft Minnesota center John Michael Schmitz or Tennessee receiver Jalen Hyatt in Round 2. Things were looking like they were about to bounce their way until the Chicago Bears unexpectedly made a trade up with the Jacksonville Jaguars to get on the clock. The deal leap-frogged the Giants, leaving them feeling like they were about to loose out on both of their top options.
And then the selection happened. Check it out:
The Giants seemed to think the Bears had eyes for their guys. In fact, Head Coach Brian Daboll was definitely assuming the Bears were taking Schmitz. And I can’t blame him. When the Bears were trading up in Round 2, I thought they might go for an offensive lineman. Schmitz was on my short-list of Day 2 targets who made sense to be on Chicago’s wish list. Instead, Chicago chose Miami cornerback Tyrique Stevenson. And with that, the Giants were relieved. Plus, in the end, they got both players they were targeting with that pick. Talk about a lucky break.
As for the Bears, there is a non-zero chance they look back at this as a missed opportunity. Chicago would go on to take Cincinnati receiver Tyler Scott in Round 4, thus crossing that need off the to-do list. However, the offensive line still has long-term needs along the interior offensive line (and specifically at center). Maybe there is an internal candidate who will emerge from the developmental projects on the depth chart. But Schmitz was right there for the drafting and they passed on him. Perhaps the Bears know something we don’t. After all, they should. Remember, Chicago had coaches who were in the trenches with JMS at the Senior Bowl. In other words, if anyone was well-positioned to fully understand the risk in passing on Schmitz, it’s the Bears.
In the end, trading up is a risky proposition. But trading up to get your preferred prospect is better than the alternative of sitting on your hands and hoping they drop to you only to see them go elsewhere and then star. For what it’s worth, the second round seems to be a solid place to land defensive backs and offensive linemen. Antoine Winfield Jr. and Trevon Diggs were second-rounders in 2020 who have earned Pro Bowl recognition early in their careers. Meanwhile, the 2021 NFL Draft has churned out Pro Bowl interior offensive linemen Creed Humphrey and Landon Dickerson. Time will tell how the Bears and Giants did with their picks. In the meantime, we’ll be looking for more behind-the-scenes footage. Real football can’t come soon enough.
