PFF names one Giants pick amongst their top NFL Draft "steals"
The New York Giants could have selected Deonte Banks, John Michael Schmitz, or Jalin Hyatt in the first round and received little to no pushback from the media (at least those that knew the draft), so selecting all three may go down as the best 2023 class in a few years. That being said, PFF […]
The New York Giants could have selected Deonte Banks, John Michael Schmitz, or Jalin Hyatt in the first round and received little to no pushback from the media (at least those that knew the draft), so selecting all three may go down as the best 2023 class in a few years.
That being said, PFF aggregated their big board and compared it with where prospects actually went on draft weekend, making a list of their 11 best "steals". John Michael Schmitz was a part of the list and for good reason.
Thought by many as the best center in the draft, selecting him at 57th overall should be viewed as a crime. Let's dive into why that is.
If the Giants had made this pick in the first round, nobody would have really batted an eye, said PFF. He led all centers with a 92.3 PFF grade in 2022 and graded well both on zone and gap plays. He’s a big guy but can really move and was a four-year starter at Minnesota. Simply put, he is one of the best run-blockers at the position to enter the draft in recent years.
And that's all very true, lending credence to the thought that New York made one of the best decisions in the NFL Draft. Here's a little more in-depth analysis of Schmitz from The Athletic's Dane Brugler:
A two-year starter at Wisconsin, Tippmann operated at center in former offensive coordinator Bobby Engram’s run-based pro-style scheme (his first season as a play-caller was in 2022). A tackle in high school, he cross-trained at guard and tackle on the scout team in 2019 and as a backup in 2020 before moving to center for the 2021 and 2022 seasons (had never played the position before). Tippmann is an athletic blocker who shines on pulls, cutoffs and any move-block that shows off his range and eyes. With his bend and flexibility, he is able to play low for a taller player and generate explosive torque through his hips, but he gets offschedule when his pads rise, often ending up on the ground. Overall, Tippmann must be mindful of his body leverage/balance to match up versus NFL defenders, but his quickness, strength and vision are all plus traits for a starting interior lineman. He projects as an NFL starter (either center or guard), ideally suited for a wide-zone scheme.
I expect JMS to be a focal point of the offense for years to come, holding down the front line and making the checks and calls that will protect Daniel Jones for the duration of his career. So when we are 10 years down the road and JMS is still steady as ever, let's remember why he was a "steal" in the 2023 draft.
