While Moses, traditionally credited as the author of the Book of Deuteronomy, may not have been a fan of football, he would likely understand the challenging circumstances faced by Joe Schoen upon becoming the General Manager of the New York Giants. The Giants have not literally wandered the desert for 40 years, yet their struggle for success feels similarly prolonged. The previous GM, Dave Gettleman, made several missteps, positioning Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll in a precarious situation. They conjured a brief resurgence, but now the pressing question arises: are Schoen and Daboll also destined to be seen as failed prophets in the realm of NFL leadership?

The primary focus surrounding the Schoen-Daboll regime often emphasizes the new talent they have brought into the franchise, and rightly so. Fans frequently express their frustrations over the lack of roster depth and skill left behind by Gettleman. However, it’s important to recognize that Gettleman did leave behind some valuable assets, including Dexter Lawrence and Andrew Thomas. Even years after Jerry Reese’s tenure, his influence continues to resonate within the Giants’ ongoing quest to transform into a consistently competitive team capable of contending for championships.

Following the departure of Saquon Barkley, the Giants currently have no players on their roster from drafts prior to 2019. As of the end of 2023, only Justin Pugh remained, who returned to the team under emergency circumstances when the offensive line was critically undermanned; his status for 2024 remains uncertain. Although there are a few veterans who initially entered the league with other teams, only a handful have made significant contributions during their time with the Giants.

It’s crucial to acknowledge that not all of the blame lies with Jerry Reese. He did draft some notable players following the Giants’ last Super Bowl victory, including David Wilson, Johnathan Hankins, Odell Beckham Jr., Weston Richburg, Landon Collins, Sterling Shepard, and Dalvin Tomlinson. However, numerous injuries hindered many of these players from reaching their full potential or sustaining it over time. Additionally, there were several high-profile draft failures, such as Rueben Randle, Damontre Moore, Owa Odighizuwa, Ereck Flowers, Eli Apple, and Darian Thompson. Coupled with the blunders during the Gettleman era, Schoen inherited a roster with significant depth issues.

It is indeed possible to succeed in the NFL without consistently drafting elite players who evolve into cornerstones of a championship-caliber team. The Houston Texans exemplify this, particularly after benefiting from Cleveland’s willingness to trade an extensive array of high draft picks for a quarterback. However, most successful teams rely on key veterans who not only anchor the squad with their experience but also continue to perform at a high level. The Philadelphia Eagles serve as a prime example, boasting dominant offensive and defensive lines populated with homegrown veterans over the past decade. The same pattern is evident with the Dallas Cowboys, especially on their offensive line.

To gauge the impact of veteran players in the league, I utilized Pro Football Focus grades for the 2023 season. The chart below illustrates the number of “elite” (80s and 90s) and “above average” (70s) players in various categories assessed by PFF, and it highlights how many of these players entered the league during Jerry Reese’s tenure as GM (i.e., pre-2018):

The data presented includes only those players who participated in at least 50% of the normal snap count for the activities listed. Consequently, the various categories primarily categorize players by position, but not exclusively. For instance, the “pass rush” category encompasses all edge defenders and interior defensive linemen, although off-ball linebackers and defensive backs may occasionally rush the passer. The “receiving” category strictly includes pass catchers and tight ends, although running backs also catch passes frequently. On the other hand, “pass blocking” and “run blocking” theoretically could include the same players, but practically, some offensive lines excel at one and struggle with the other. It’s estimated that there were approximately 100 veteran players in the league from the Reese era who performed at least at an above-average level last season, yet not a single one was a member of the Giants.

The findings reveal several intriguing insights:

• Nearly half of the NFL’s top pass rushers are players who have been in the league for over six years. This suggests that, aside from instant standouts like Micah Parsons, edge rushing is a skill honed over time for many players. Perhaps we should be cautious in our evaluations of rookie pass rushers.
• The same principle applies, and perhaps even more strongly, to pass blocking. Over half of the elite pass blockers in 2023 were players drafted prior to 2018. Many of these players started as average or above-average performers before evolving into elite talents over the years. Andrew Thomas, a four-year veteran, exemplifies this trajectory, having accelerated his development faster than many.
• Conversely, run stopping seems to follow a different trend, with only a small percentage of elite blockers having extensive tenure in the league. This disparity could stem from the physically demanding nature of the position, which may wear players down over time. Alternatively, it could be a selection factor—excellent run blockers who do not excel at pass blocking may not secure second contracts as frequently.
• Interestingly, rushing appears to be a veteran’s game, much like many other positions, which contradicts the common belief that running backs hit a performance “wall” after a few seasons. There may be skills acquired that enable certain running backs to sustain their careers even as their physical abilities begin to decline.
• In contrast, pass protection and pass receiving seem to favor younger players. While there is an abundance of talented veteran wide receivers in the NFL, it appears that each year brings a crop of potentially elite receivers available in the draft. The same holds true for defensive backs. More importantly, defensive backs and wide receivers may begin to lose a step or two as they age or suffer injuries (e.g., James Bradberry, Odell Beckham Jr.), where their speed and agility are crucial to their elite status.

Overall, the chart indicates that an average NFL team should ideally feature around ten players or so seeing significant playing time who perform at an above-average or elite level, with approximately one-third or more of these players being in their second or later contracts. Heading into the 2024 season, the Giants currently have no players they drafted before 2018 on the roster. Among projected starters on both offense and defense, only Darren Waller (if he plays) and Jermaine Eluemunor joined the NFL while Jerry Reese served as GM. Neither of them achieved above-average PFF grades in 2023, though both were close.

Consequently, there exists a substantial gap in veteran presence that cannot be solely attributed to Joe Schoen, either directly or indirectly, considering the financial constraints he inherited during his first two years. Nonetheless, Schoen has taken steps to address this issue moving forward by signing 2019 draftee Dexter Lawrence and 2020 draftee Andrew Thomas to second contracts, as well as acquiring 2019 draftees Bobby Okereke and Brian Burns on significant contracts. Lawrence and Thomas have now proven themselves as elite players, while Okereke and Burns are on the verge of breaking through.

Interestingly, Lawrence, Thomas, and Burns occupy positions where the data suggests veterans tend to excel. In contrast, Xavier McKinney and Julian Love were not signed to second contracts, and Darius Slayton has yet to secure an extension—potentially due to financial considerations or Schoen’s assessment that their best years might be behind them.

With some luck, Eluemunor could develop into a consistently above-average player, and hopefully, some of Schoen’s own draft picks will also rise to the occasion. There remains hope for Kayvon Thibodeaux and even Azeez Ojulari, provided he can maintain his health. There is also potential for John Michael Schmitz to be a solid contributor, although the prospects for Evan Neal to progress beyond average seem slim at this point.

Ultimately, the success of Schoen’s tenure will be determined by the development of these players rather than the absence of veteran talent he inherited. It is premature to draw conclusions for the 2024 season. In the coming years, we will determine whether Schoen can navigate the Giants out of their cycle of futility, or if he will become just another failed leader in the franchise’s history. Giants fans may be hoping for some divine intervention to turn their fortunes around.