For the Giants, it was all football, no drama in Episode 5 of “Hard Knocks.’’
No talk of Saquon Barkley leaving town. No speculation about trading up for a quarterback.
The docuseries got here to an end Tuesday night on HBO with a draft-centric 35 minutes crammed with all types of inside stuff featuring draft boards and scouts and constructing a roster.
Essentially the most noteworthy tidbit? The Giants, after choosing wide receiver Malik Nabers with the No. 6 overall pick, really wanted a cornerback within the second round, and targeted Kool-Aid McKinstry of Alabama and Kamari Lassiter of Georgia.
The Giants owned the No. 47 pick, and general manager Joe Schoen explained that with just six total picks on this draft, he didn’t need to trade away any, and figured he would should part with a fourth-round pick to maneuver up within the second round.
When McKinstry went to the Saints at No. 41, there have been glum faces within the Giants’ draft room, quickly followed by an audible expletive when Lassiter got here off the board at No. 42 to the Texans.
“There go the corners,’’ Schoen said.
Earlier within the day, Schoen revealed the plan that the Giants would goal safety Tyler Nubin from Minnesota if the 2 cornerbacks were taken.
The night of the second day of the draft, Schoen asked defensive coordinator Shane Bowen: “Nubin’s your primary guy, right?’’
When Bowen nodded his head affirmatively, Schoen said, “He should are available and begin.’’
After the choice of Nubin, Schoen mentioned Dru Phillips of Kentucky as “the last corner we’d be fired up about getting.’’
The Giants took him within the third round.
The episode opened with the primary round.
You might feel the stress within the room when the Chargers were on the clock with pick No. 5, because the Giants desperately didn’t want Nabers to slide through their fingers.
Schoen asked the assembly if it might be offensive linemen Joe Alt or JC Lathan because the pick.
“Just not Malik,’’ coach Brian Daboll said.
There was applause when the Chargers chosen Alt, but there was no rush for the Giants to send of their card.
“We’re gonna take our time,’’ Schoen said. “Wait to see if the phone rings.’’
It did. The primary call got here from Colts general manager Chris Ballard, seeking to move as much as No. 6 from No. 15.
It sounded as if the offer from the Colts was a swap of first-round picks and a 2025 second-round pick to the Giants. No deal.
“That’s too far,’’ Schoen said of moving all the way down to 15.
The following call got here from Jets general manager Joe Douglas.
“What are you considering?’’ Schoen asked.
Regardless of the reply was from Douglas, it was not going to occur.
“I feel we’re going to remain,’’ Schoen said.
The Giants made Nabers the pick, Schoen called the player and said, “I used to be praying you weren’t off the board.’’
After the temporary call, Schoen shook the hand of co-owner John Mara and said “playmakers.’’
Daboll, seated, rubbed his hands together as Schoen went across the room, giving a hug to each scout.
