Giants news, 2/2: Schoen on Saquon Barkley, Platzgummer bids goodbye, Senior Bowl notes, more

New York Giants headlines for Thursday

Good morning, New York Giants fans!

2023 NFL Draft prospect profile – Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College

BBV’s Ed Valentine in his first mock of the 2023 draft selected Zay Flowers, a wide receiver out of Boston College, as the Giants selection in the first round. While it is definitely a position of need for the team, the 5′ 9″ Flowers is not the big receiver that fans have been clamoring for.

But as Chris Pflum writes in his draft profile of Flowers, he would help a unit that was ravaged by injuries last year and considered by league experts in need of an upgrade.

Boston College wide receiver Zay Flowers likely isn’t the “number one” receiver that many are envisioning for the Giants. However, he is a very athletic, versatile, and dangerous player who would be a definite upgrade for the unit.

He has the versatility to line up in multiple positions, and a creative offensive mind can take advantage of that. However, his size will likely force NFL offensive coordinators to play him out of the slot, in bunch formations, or stacked behind a bigger receiver. Flowers is a quick, twitchy athlete and can be a weapon in any offense that schemes the ball to athletes in space. He’s dangerous as a ball carrier on screen plays, on jet sweeps, or on route concepts that create space in the intermediate area of the field.

Flowers needs to continue to hone his craft as a receiver, though more consistent play around him will certainly help in that regard. He has the tools to be a truly dangerous receiver once he becomes a technician and chess player as a route runner.

Pflum’s grade is 7.0, which on the Big Blue View Draft Grading‌ Scale‌‌ means he is “Solid Day 2 prospect (mid-second through third). Should contribute early in career, with the upside to start or become an important rotational player at some point in his rookie contract.”

More from Big Blue View

• Senior Bowl 2023 News, notes and highlights Day 1 and Day 2
• How hirings of Sean Payton (Denver), DeMeco Ryans (Houston) impact the Giants
• Giants position review, tight end: Is Daniel Bellinger enough?
• Could LB Bobby Okereke be an answer for the New York Giants?

Other Giant observations

Giants have spoken to Saquon Barkley about contract, but not Daniel Jones | ProFootballTalk

General Manager Joe Schoen told reporters at the Senior Bowl that the team and Barkley’s representatives spoke last week about the possibility of a new deal. The two sides plan to have further talks next week.

While the team has restarted talks with Barkley, they have not begun conversations with their other major offensive free agent. Schoen said that the team has not spoken with quarterback Daniel Jones‘ camp yet.

Schoen reiterated that the Giants want to have Jones back and the team will be able to use a franchise tag to make sure that happens. They can apply the tag, which will carry a $32.416 million salary for 2023, starting on February 21 and will have until March 7 to use it.

QB Daniel Jones taking in a Knicks game this week, including throwing a strike to a fan

How 12 weeks changed the Giants’ tone on the futures of Daniel Jones, Saquon Barkley | The Athletic

Schoen’s tone changed on both players in the 12 weeks between news conferences. Schoen was measured in his evaluation of Barkley in his season-ending media session last week, referencing salary-cap constraints and positional value while adding a qualifier that he’d like the 25-year-old back “if it works out.” Schoen also said the sides were “off on the value” and “weren’t really that close” during their midseason negotiations.

Schoen’s first words on Jones in the season-ending news conference were that “we’d like Daniel to be here.” Schoen did mention the “business side” of the equation, but seemed to slip later when he said, “We’re happy Daniel’s going to be here.”

The shift in Schoen’s public commentary hints at the direction the franchise will take during a pivotal offseason.

Daniel Jones first showed grit with Senior Bowl comeback story | New York Post

Jones was having difficulty taking clean snaps from under center. He threw back-to-back interceptions in the first team period in the first practice. That is when Nagy feared Jones was hurting his draft standing.

“And he bounced back and finished off that day strong, had a really good Thursday and was the MVP of the game,’’ Nagy said. “I always use him as an example for our players, just get a little bit better every day. You don’t have to come out here gangbusters…I don’t think any scouts expect these guys to come out here Day 1 and light it up at their position. Yeah, Daniel’s kinda like the poster boy for that.”

Sandro Platzgummer’s time with Giants is over

5 NFL trades that could shake up the 2023 offseason | PFF

The Giants are one of the suitors.

The precedents that matter for Giants and Saquon Barkley | New York Post

Giants need help at wide receiver | Here’s why free agency is not the answer | NJ.com

2023 offseason needs for all 32 NFL teams | PFF

Simulating NFL QB offseason changes: Trades, signings, draft picks | ESPN.com

Jesse Palmer + The Bachelor + Tom Coughlin = Comedy gold

Senior Bowl Notebook (Day 1): Prospects hit the field | Giants.com

7 prospects New York Giants should watch at the Senior Bowl | USAToday.com

Around the league

Tom Brady announces retirement: Patriots, Buccaneers legend walks away after 23 seasons in the NFL | CBSSports.com

Rutgers fills final assistant coach opening with longtime Giants OL coach | NJ.com

Eagles OL Josh Sills indicted on rape, kidnapping charges, placed on the Commissioner Exempt list | ESPN.com

Jerry Jones confirms Mike McCarthy will call offensive plays | ProFootballTalk

Niners star LT Trent Williams not ruling out retirement after another ‘grueling’ season | NFL.com

Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa reportedly clears concussion protocol | ESPN.com

Former Panthers head coach Matt Rhule filed arbitration suit last week against franchise | CBSSports.com

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