Giants' Rookie Report: How Did Joe Schoen's Second Draft Class Do?

Let's see how the New York Giants' Class of 2023 did in the preseason opener against the Detroit Lions.

Week 1 of the New York Giants preseason is now officially in the rearview mirror, and although the Giants came up on the short end of the stick against the Detroit Lions, there was still much to be learned from the 21-16 loss.

Specifically, the Giants got a good look at their rookie draft class of 2023, who will ultimately become part of the franchise's foundation. And the early returns, which looked promising in the practices leading up to the game, didn't disappoint.

Center John Michael Schmitz, the team's second-round pick, came as advertised, playing like a man among boys against the Lions' second-team defense. First-round pick Deonte Banks also had a solid showing in his first live NFL action.

Let's take a closer look at each draft pick's showing. (Snap counts are from Pro Football Focus; additional evaluation notes from Inside Football.)

R1: CB Deonte Banks

37 snaps (14 run, one pass rush, 22 coverage)

Banks might have gotten off to a slow start this summer, but he's been finding his footing over the last several days. His showing against the Lions was no different. Banks played tight one-on-one coverage all night, never letting a receiver get away from him. And his lone tackle of the night was as physical as you'd like to see from a young player.

His best play of the evening was his pass breakup of a deep crossing route by Jameson Williams. Banks also drew an initial offensive pass interference call on another pass play--this one a fade--, but the flag was picked up.

And a case could be made that he helped contribute to safety Dane BElton's interception when Banks again played such tight coverage that it forced the quarterback to overthrow the receiver, allowing Belton to make the play.

R2: OC John Michael Schmitz

32 snaps (21 pass blocks, 11 run blocks)

The Giants have their starting center of the future, ladies and gentlemen. Schmitz may have gone up against the second-team defense, but they're looking to impress too. And in his snaps, Schmitz didn't allow any pressures or flub any snaps with the two quarterbacks who played behind him and ran an overall spotless operation.

• RELATED: John Michael Schmitz Offers Honest Assessment of NFL Debut Showing

Schmitz was equally good with his solo blocks and in passing guys off. He finished each play to the whistle and didn't give up his ground.

The coaches might want us to believe that nothing has been determined as far as the identity of the starting center, but we're fairly certain that Schmitz is the starting center, and it's not even a question anymore.

R3: WR Jalin Hyatt

18 snaps (12 in passing game, 6 in run blocking)

Thanks to the shoddy pass protection, there weren't many deep passes in the preseason opener. Hyatt's lone target was a receiver screen that was so well-defended that it went for a loss.

• RELATED: Giants Receiver Jalin Hyatt Sets Lofty Goal

An underrated but positive part of his game last week was his run blocking, where he posted a solid 60.5 grade from PFF, second-best among the Giants receivers, behind Bryce Ford-Wheaton's 61.5 grade.

Detroit Lions safety Brady Breeze (35) tackles New York Giants punt returner Eric Gray (20) during the first half of a preseason at Ford Field in Detroit on Friday, Aug. 11, 2023 :: Junfu Han/Detroit Free Press / USA TODAY NETWORK

R5: RB Eric Gray

23 snaps (15 pass, 3 pass pro, 5 rushes) //9 special teams snaps (4 KPR, 3 PR)

Gray rushed five times for nine yards behind a spotty run-blocking offensive line, but his game had some positives. He averaged 2.4 yards after contact and forced one missed tackle in his five rushing attempts. He also caught two of his three pass targets for 10 yards. His pass-blocking, however, didn't impress, nor did his foot speed. But he seemed to have decent enough vision and ran with physicality out there.

For the upcoming year, at least, Gray will likely have to make his living as a returner. He seemed to have a good feel with the ball in his hands. The good news is that he had no muffs on his kickoff and punt returns. His best return of the night was the first kickoff that went for 36 yards only to be nullified by a holding penalty.

Gray also made a mistake in not fielding a mortar kickoff to start the second half. Fortunately, the ball went out of bounds, and the Lions were penalized, but letting that ball bounce in the face of the charging opposing players might have turned into a disaster had the opponent recovered it.

R6: DB Tre Hawkins III

37 snaps (14 run defense, one pass rush, 22 in coverage)

Remember Jason Pinnock's game-opening interception on the Lions first play from scrimmage? You might not have noticed that Hawkins, who got the start at one of the cornerback spots, had blanket coverage that helped force the turnover.

The Old Dominion product also delivered several physical tackles, finishing tied for third in the team with five (four solos) with outside linebacker Tashawn Bower.

Hawkins did miss one tackle, but he didn't let that get him down, responding with a vengeance in his play. In coverage, he had a bit of a mixed bag, including being involved in a red zone play on which he was beaten but fortunately fell incomplete after the ball was knocked away.

R7: IDL Jordon Riley

43 defensive snaps 917 run defense, 25 pass rush, 1 in coverage)

Riley turned out to be the biggest surprise of the class. To the naked eye, he hadn't flashed early on in camp. Still, with the lack of availability of several defensive linemen due to injuries and/or PUP (Ryder Anderson, Rakeem Nunez-Roches, A'Shawn Robinson, and D.J. Davidson), there have been plenty of opportunities for Riley to step up.

He did so in the preseason opener. Playing most of his snaps at nose tackle, Riley was frequently double-teamed and held up well enough, absorbing the blocks without losing much ground. He played a very physical game, taking up space and playing through the whistle, his assisted tackle coming on a red zone play.

Occasionally Riley received some solo blocks but wasn't able t shed them to make plays. That will no doubt be something he looks to improve on in the coming weeks as taking up space is one thing, but when you get those solo opportunities, you must find a way to win those.

R7: DB Gervarrius Owens

40 snaps (18 vs. run, 4 pass rush, 18 in coverage)

Owens has shown good instincts all summer, which continued in the game when he made both of his assisted tackles in the red zone.

He also came close to an interception, timing his break at the right moment. However, it turned out he was a hair too late and just missed finishing the play.

Owens spent his night between free and strong safety, picking up valuable game reps he can build on in the coming weeks.

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