How the 2023 rookie class fared

With the 2023 season officially in the rearview mirror, it’s time to look back at how the rookie class performed.

The Giants saw several first-year players contribute in a significant way this season. Two rookies earned starting roles right out of the gate, while others earned more playing time as the season progressed.

As a reminder, here are the members of the Giants’ 2023 rookie class:

• CB Deonte Banks (Round 1, Pick 24)
• C John Michael Schmitz (Round 2, Pick 57)
• WR Jalin Hyatt (Round 3, Pick 73)
• RB Eric Gray (Round 5, Pick 172)
• CB Tre Hawkins III (Round 6, Pick 209)
• DL Jordon Riley (Round 7, Pick 243)
• S Gervarrius Owens (Round 7, Pick 254)
• QB Tommy DeVito (Undrafted)

“Like any rookie class, you’re going to have highs and lows,” general manager Joe Schoen said at his season-ending press conference Monday. “I think the first three guys, I think everybody saw their ability. I think Tae Banks is going to be a really good corner in this league. John Michael is going to be a good center and Hyatt is going to be a good receiver. … And then I thought some of the later round guys did a good job, too. Excited about Jordon Riley. Again, those guys have a big offseason coming into next year. We’ll expect them to be – either those guys are going to start or depth contributors going into year two.”

Let’s take a closer look at how the Giants’ rookies fared in their first NFL action.

From Weeks 11-16, the rookie corner did not allow more than 40 receiving yards in any game. He wrapped up his first NFL season with 64 tackles (53 solo), two tackles for loss, two interceptions and 11 passes defensed in 15 games (he missed the final two games of the season with a shoulder injury). Banks often lined up against the opposing team’s top wide receiver, a challenge the rookie never backed down from. He was named a finalist for the Rookie of the Week award in Week 7 after he recorded his first NFL interception.

“Tae Banks, with rare physical ability, and as he continues to grow and mature; what he did against some of the very good receivers in this league as a rookie, I thought was pretty impressive,” Schoen said earlier this week.

John Michael Schmitz injured his shoulder during the Week 4 matchup against the Seahawks, an injury that sidelined him for the next three games. Outside of those four contests, the rookie center did not miss a single offensive snap prior to the season finale. Of his 12 full games,…