Biggest takeaway from draft weekend

John Schmeelk: Teams have limited control over how successful their drafts can be. They can select the best player available when their turn comes, but what position that player plays is not something a team can impact. But teams can do one thing: trade up. General manager Joe Schoen did take matters into his own hands in two rounds this year by trading up twice in the draft to get the player the Giants coveted.

But fortune also favored the Giants. In each round, there was a player left on the board that not only fit a need, but was also excellent value. Schoen’s trades sealed the deal, and the Giants walked away with four players in their first four selections that filled needs and were of tremendous value.

We also get calls from Giants fans on Big Blue Kickoff Live throughout the offseason that presented us with mock drafts from various draft simulators. Often times in those simulations, fans came up with players for the Giants that make me roll my eyes as they seem completely unrealistic. If a fan called in and told me the Giants would have been able to draft Deonte Banks, John Michael Schmitz and Jalin Hyatt in the first three rounds, my eyes would have rolled so far back in my head I would have fallen out of my chair.

What I would have considered a fantasy just a week ago turned into reality for the Giants this weekend. They acquired a big, fast cornerback in Deonte Banks that fits Wink Martindale’s scheme perfectly and is used to playing press coverage at Maryland. John Michael Schmitz is a six-year center from Minnesota that shows steady tape and potential NFL starter on Day 1. Jalin Hyatt might be the best deep threat in the entire draft that will make opposing safeties pay attention to him and leave open the middle of the field for players like Darren Waller to thrive.

The weekend could not have gone better. Now it is time to see these players on the field and determine if they can deliver on all their talent for the New York Giants in the National Football League. I can’t wait.

Dan Salomone: A wink wasn’t enough. Don Martindale had to hug Joe Schoen. The general manager broke in the new draft room on Thursday night by trading up one spot with the Jaguars to select Maryland cornerback Deonte Banks with the 24th overall pick. Martindale, a grizzled defensive coordinator known for his cutoffs, responded by going in for a full bear hug with the fully-suited Schoen.

“You guys know Wink’s defense and what he likes, and Deonte fits that mold to a T,”…