College all-star events, which are currently underway, provide the opportunity for general managers and head coaches to meet prospects in person and learn more about their background.
The Giants did just that recently with several outstanding players, including quarterback Shedeur Sanders, a frequent projection for the team at No. 3 in mock drafts. The Colorado standout and Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year was at the East-West Shrine Bowl in Texas, where the Giants have two coaches – defensive coordinator Shane Bowen and inside linebackers coach John Egorugwu – on staff of the West Team.
"He's a great kid, he's a great kid, a really good personality, football smart, his dad is a football coach," said general manager Joe Schoen, now in Mobile, Alabama, for the Senior Bowl.
You don't say.
"It's a little bit cliché, but he checks all the boxes of a [player with a] dad that is a football coach and the passion that he approaches the game with," Schoen said about the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer and Colorado coach Deion Sanders. "It was good getting to meet him. He's had a really good career at Colorado and obviously looking forward to getting to knowing all those guys in the rest of the process."
NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah released his initial ranking of the top 50 prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft.
No. 50 Darius Alexander, DT, Toledo
No. 49 Charles Grant, T, William & Mary
No. 48 Jack Sawyer, Edge, Ohio State
No. 47 Kaleb Johnson, RB, Iowa
No. 46 Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina
No. 45 Elijah Arroyo, TE, Miami
No. 44 Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame
No. 43 Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky
No. 42 Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss
No. 41 Joshua Farmer, DT, Florida State
No. 40 Josh Conerly Jr., T, Oregon
No. 39 Carson Schwesinger, LB, UCLA
No. 38 Azareye'h Thomas, CB, Florida State
No. 37 Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio State
No. 36 Mason Taylor, TE, LSU
No. 35 TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State
No. 34 Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
No. 33 Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri
No. 32 Donovan Jackson, IOL, Ohio State
No. 31 Josh Simmons, T, Ohio State
No. 30 Donovan Ezeiruaku, Edge, Boston College
No. 29 Grey Zabel, IOL, North Dakota State
No. 28 Shemar Stewart, Edge, Texas A&M
No. 27 Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss
No. 26 Derrick Harmon, DT, Michigan State
No. 25 Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
No. 24 Kelvin Banks Jr., T, Texas
No. 23 Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
No. 22 Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
No. 21 James Pearce Jr., Edge, Tennessee
No. 20 Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
No. 19 Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina
No. 18 Armand Membou, IOL, Missouri
No. 17 Mike Green, Edge, Marshall
No. 16 Mykel Williams, Edge, Georgia
No. 15 Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
No. 14 Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
No. 13 Tyler Booker, IOL, Alabama
No. 12 Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama
No. 11 Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
No. 10 Cam Ward, QB, Miami
No. 9 Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
No. 8 Will Campbell, T, LSU
No. 7 Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
No. 6 Jalon Walker, Edge, Georgia
No. 5 Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
No. 4 Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
No. 3 Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
No. 2 Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
No. 1 Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State
The consensus among draft experts in the media is that Sanders and Miami's Cam Ward, who isn't participating in any all-star events, are the top two quarterbacks in the 2025 class. If they are both taken before the Giants, who are in search of their next franchise quarterback, what's the plan?
"We're going to be open to anything," Schoen said. "We're in a good position sitting at three with the players that are available. By process of elimination, we know we're going to get a good player. Regardless of what happens the next couple of months, we know there's going to be a really good player there."
The draft, which kicks off April 24 in Green Bay, is less than three months away. In between then and now, 32 clubs will disperse from the college all-star games and reconvene at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis at the end of next month.
Schoen believes the Giants will have a leg up from having two coaches at the Shrine Bowl and five at the Senior Bowl.
"To me, it's a competitive advantage," Schoen said. "They're in the meetings with these kids. They get to know who's on time, who's late, who's early, who can learn the playbook. To me, it's just a competitive advantage for us, and fortunately our coaches are willing to participate in the process and they're all in on it. They do really good write-ups on the kids. It helped us last year."
In 2024, the East-West Shrine Bowl produced 57 draft picks, an all-time high in its 99-year history. The Senior Bowl, meanwhile, featured 110 selections, representing 43 percent of the entire draft. Combined, they made up 65 percent of the entire draft class.
That included four of the Giants' six draft picks: cornerback Dru Phillips (Senior Bowl), tight end Theo Johnson (Senior Bowl), running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (Shrine Bowl) and linebacker Darius Muasau (Shrine Bowl).
"A lot of that was based on the feedback that our coaches brought back from the games," Schoen said.
Offensive coordinator/assistant head coach Mike Kafka was one of them. He served as a head coach in the 2024 Shrine Bowl and now is doing so again at the 2025 Senior Bowl. Meanwhile, he has interviewed for the Saints' opening at head coach.
"There's a reason these teams continue to interview him for head coaching jobs," Schoen said. "He's got a great reputation not only in our building but around the league. [He's] a former player who played quarterback, came up under Andy Reid, called plays in a playoff season in his first year as an offensive coordinator, very detailed, organized, smart coach, good leadership abilities. So, selfishly, I hope he doesn't get the New Orleans job, but if he does, he's well-deserving. [He's] a good coach, has a lot of ideas, smart, good leadership. We're fortunate to have him on our staff."
View photos from the practices leading up to the 2025 Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama.
American team wide receiver Jack Bech (7), of TCU, celebrates with teammates after scoring the winning touchdown over the National team during the second half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National team head coach Mike Kafka, of the New York Giants, watches during the first half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game against the American team, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American team quarterback Riley Leonard (13), of Notre Dame, looks to throw a pass during the first half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game against the National team, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National team wide receiver Jayden Higgins (9), of Iowa State,reacts after scoring a touchdown against the American team during the first half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American team quarterback Jaxson Dart, center, of Mississippi, throws a pass during the first half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game against the National team Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National team quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8), of Oregon, looks to throw a pass during the first half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game against the American team Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American team tight end CJ Dippre (81), of Alabama, catches a pass as National team defensive back Tommi Hill (31), of Nebraska, defends during the second half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American team running back RJ Harvey, center, of Central Florida, carries the ball during the second half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game against the National team Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American team quarterback Jalen Milroe (4), of Alabama, looks to throw a pass as National team defensive lineman Junior Tafuna (58), of Utah, applies pressure during the second half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American team running back Jarquez Hunter, center, of Auburn, carries the ball against the National team during the second half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National team running back Ollie Gordon II, front right, of Oklahoma State, carries the ball as American team linebacker Jack Kiser of Notre Dame, left, closes in for the tackle during the first half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National team tight end Elijah Arroyo (80), of Miami, catches a pass for a two-point conversion over American team defensive back Mac McWilliams (27), of Central Florida, during the first half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National team running back Ollie Gordon II, top, of Oklahoma State, is tackled by American team defensive back Dan Jackson, bottom, of Georgia, as he carries the ball during the first half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American team linebacker Tim Smith, bottom, of Alabama, takes a photo with fans after the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game against the National team, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National team quarterback Tyler Shough, of Louisville, looks to throw a pass during the first half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game against the American team Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American team quarterback Seth Henigan, of Memphis, looks to throw a pass during the second half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game against the National team, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National team quarterback Taylor Elgersma (18), of Laurier, scrambles as American team defensive lineman Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, left, of Georgia, tackles him from behind during the second half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American team quarterback Jaxson Dart, left, of Mississippi, escapes pressure from National team defensive lineman Landon Jackson (40), of Arkansas, during the first half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Mike Kafka Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator
Mike Kafka Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator
James Ferentz Assistant Offensive Line Coach
Mike Kafka Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator
Mike Kafka Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator
Senior Vice President and General Manager Joe Schoen
Mike Kafka Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator
Joel Thomas Running Backs Coach
Angela Baker Offensive Assistant
Senior Vice President and General Manager Joe Schoen
Mike Adams Assistant Secondary Coach
Mike Kafka Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator
Senior Vice President and General Manager Joe Schoen
Senior Vice President and General Manager Joe Schoen
Senior Vice President and General Manager Joe Schoen
Senior Vice President and General Manager Joe Schoen
Mike Adams Assistant Secondary Coach
Angela Baker Offensive Assistant
Senior Vice President and General Manager Joe Schoen
Angela Baker Offensive Assistant
Senior Vice President and General Manager Joe Schoen
Senior Vice President and General Manager Joe Schoen
Joel Thomas Running Backs Coach
Mike Kafka Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator
Senior Vice President and General Manager Joe Schoen
Marcus Cooper National Scout, Mike Kafka Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator
Blaise Bell College Area Scout, Marcus Cooper National Scout, Mike Kafka Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator
Angela Baker Offensive Assistant
Mike Kafka Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator
Joel Thomas Running Backs Coach
Angela Baker Offensive Assistant
James Ferentz Assistant Offensive Line Coach
Joel Thomas Running Backs Coach
James Ferentz Assistant Offensive Line Coach
Joel Thomas Running Backs Coach
Joel Thomas Running Backs Coach
Mike Kafka Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator
Joel Thomas Running Backs Coach
Mike Adams Assistant Secondary Coach
James Ferentz Assistant Offensive Line Coach
Joel Thomas Running Backs Coach
Joel Thomas Running Backs Coach
Angela Baker Offensive Assistant
Joe Schoen Senior Vice President and General Manager
Angela Baker Offensive Assistant
Angela Baker Offensive Assistant
Mike Kafka Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator
Mike Kafka Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator
Mike Kafka Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator
Mike Kafka Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator
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