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Giants were left wanting for corners after Malik Nabers draft pick

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Giants were left wanting for corners after Malik Nabers draft pick

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 came to an end Tuesday night on HBO with a draft-centric 35 minutes filled with all sorts of inside stuff featuring draft boards and scouts and building a roster. 

The most noteworthy tidbit? The Giants, after selecting wide receiver Malik Nabers with the No. 6 overall pick, really wanted a cornerback in the second round, and targeted Kool-Aid McKinstry of Alabama and Kamari Lassiter of Georgia.

Joe Schoen didn’t want to trade away any of his picks in the 2024 NFL Draft. Hard Knocks/HBO

The Giants owned the No. 47 pick, and general manager Joe Schoen explained that with just six total picks in this draft, he did not want to trade away any, and figured he would have to part with a fourth-round pick to move up in the second round. 

When McKinstry went to the Saints at No. 41, there were glum faces in the Giants’ draft room, quickly followed by an audible expletive when Lassiter came off the board at No. 42 to the Texans. 

“There go the corners,’’ Schoen said. 

Earlier in the day, Schoen revealed the plan that the Giants would target safety Tyler Nubin from Minnesota if the two cornerbacks were taken.

The night of the second day of the draft, Schoen asked defensive coordinator Shane Bowen: “Nubin’s your number one guy, right?’’

When Bowen nodded his head affirmatively, Schoen said, “He should come in and start.’’ 

After the selection of Nubin, Schoen mentioned Dru Phillips of Kentucky as “the last corner we’d be fired up about getting.’’

The Giants took him in the third round. 

The episode opened with the first round.

You could feel the tension in the room when the Chargers were on the clock with pick No. 5, as the Giants desperately did not want Nabers to slip through their fingers.

Texans cornerback Kamari Lassiter participates in drills during the NFL football team’s rookie minicamp. AP
Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers runs after catching the ball during minicamp. Noah K. Murray-NY Post

Schoen asked the assembly if it would be offensive linemen Joe Alt or JC Lathan as the pick. 

“Just not Malik,’’ coach Brian Daboll said. 

There was applause when the Chargers selected Alt, but there was no rush for the Giants to send in their card. 

“We’re gonna take our time,’’ Schoen said. “Wait to see if the phone rings.’’ 

It did. The first call came from Colts general manager Chris Ballard, looking to move up to No. 6 from No. 15.

It sounded as if the offer from the Colts was their No. 15 overall pick, a second-round pick (No. 46 overall) and a 2025 second-rounder for the Giants’ first-round selection.

No deal. 

“That’s too far,’’ Schoen said of moving down to 15. 

The next call came from Jets general manager Joe Douglas. 

Saints cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry (34) runs through drills during the team’s NFL football minicamp. AP

“What are you thinking?’’ Schoen asked.

Whatever the reply was from Douglas, it was not going to happen. 

“I think we’re going to stay,’’ Schoen said. 

The Giants made Nabers the pick, Schoen called the player and said, “I was praying you weren’t off the board.’’ 

After the brief call, Schoen shook the hand of co-owner John Mara and said “playmakers.’’

Daboll, seated, rubbed his hands together as Schoen went around the room, giving a hug to every scout.

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