Schoen eyes Bradberry resolution now that draft is over
Giants GM Joe Schoen was aware on Saturday after completing his first NFL Draft that he needs to resolve this standoff with veteran corner James Bradberry.
“We’re gonna work on that,” Schoen said. “We’ve had some conversations. I’ve talked to his representatives. So we’ll see where that goes. I don’t have a definitive answer on that right now, but we’re working towards some contingency plans.”
Bradberry, 28, is expected to be traded. He has an unsustainable salary cap hit, and the Giants made clear early this offseason that he wasn’t in their plans as a player.
The corner hasn’t reported to the offseason program as he awaits a resolution. If Schoen can’t find an adequate trade return, he could release Bradberry outright.
The GM recently said he was aware that it could have an adverse effect on the locker room if the Giants held onto Bradberry so long that it impeded his chances of employment elsewhere.
The Giants actually need Bradberry’s talents badly in their thin secondary, but they’ve never shown an interest in discussing an extension past this final year of his deal.
“I’m not gonna put a timeline on it as we’re working through this, so I don’t know how long it’ll take,” Schoen said. “But we’re working through some things.”
THE PICKS ARE IN
The Giants made six picks on Saturday and 11 total this weekend for their largest draft class since 2003 (11). Schoen started with nine picks and traded back twice in the second round to acquire two more.
Fourth round, No. 112: Daniel Bellinger, TE, San Diego State — 6-4, 253 pounds. Caught 68 passes for 771 yards and five TDs in four seasons for the Aztecs. Said Saturday “my heart was pounding when I got the call” from Giants. Had prepro day dinner with assistant GM Brandon Brown at Lily’s in San Diego. Bellinger, 21, said strength of his game is “blocking and being versatile in both the passing and run game.” Schoen sees special teams ability, too. Some scouts have questioned his long-term durability, per The Athletic.
Fourth round, No. 114: Dane Belton, S, Iowa — Schoen and DC
Wink Martindale like his “versatility.” 6-foot, 205 pounds. First-team All-Big Ten in third and final college season with 46 tackles, 12 passes defended, five interceptions, three tackles for loss. 4.43 40-yard dash. Belton, 21, said he “made the calls a lot of times in the defense” for the Hawkeyes. Believes “having to do that in the NFL was something I feel like might have intrigued” the Giants. Played two-high safety in base, nickel vs. the pass to guard slot receivers, blitz. Giants his only top-30.
Fifth round, No. 146: Micah McFadden, LB, Indiana — 6-1, 240 pounds. Second-team All-Big 10 for Hoosiers. Led team with 77 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks and two forced fumbles in 2021. Special teams ability. McFadden, 22, said
“my game is physical” and “[I] can get after the quarterback,” but primary focus is to be “a dominant force in the middle.” Schoen sees “very good size, speed,” can play him inside and outside, and he’s a “good blitzer.” Turf toe injury limited some pre-draft work, but he’s fine now.
Fifth round, No. 147: D.J. Davidson, DT, Arizona State — 6-3, 327 pounds. Nose tackle. “Depth player with upside,” per Schoen. Played for former Giants LB Antonio Pierce. “He always put up his film, always saw Twitter clips of him being a monster on the field.” Second-team All-Pac 12 in 2021. 57 tackles, 6.5 for loss and a half-sack last season. Started playing football freshman year of high school. Turns 25 years old in September.
Fifth round, No. 173: Marcus
McKethan, G, North Carolina — 6-6, 340 pounds. Right guard who’s played a bit of tackle. Developmental player, the second Tar Heels lineman drafted by Giants this weekend. Willing and able to learn tackle in the pros. “I just love contact,” he said. Schoen called him a “huge human being.”
Sixth round, No. 182: Darrian Beavers, LB, Cincinnati — 6-3, 237 pounds. Schoen said Beavers, 22, did some work as an outside pass rusher at Bearcats’ pro day and that “may be part of the package” to help Martindale’s defense. Beavers said “my football intelligence” is a key trait, diagnosing offense’s plans pre-snap. Five-year player, UConn transfer. First-team All-ACC in 2021 with 99 tackles, 12 for loss, five sacks.