Four of Joe Schoen's First 18 Giants Draft Picks Remain on Roster
The Giants cut 2022 first-round pick Evan Neal and 2023 third-round pick Jalin Hyatt Sunday, leaving four players from GM Joe Schoen's first two draft classes on the roster.
Four of Joe Schoen's first 18 draft picks are still on the Giants' roster. The team finalized its initial 53-man roster Sunday, releasing 2022 first-round pick Evan Neal and 2023 third-round pick Jalin Hyatt. Edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux, linebacker Micah McFadden, cornerback Deonte Banks and center John Michael Schmitz are the only players remaining from Schoen's first two draft classes.
The New York Post's Ryan Dunleavy first reported the four-player count in a story on Neal's release Sunday. Of the other 14 picks, one was traded, four left in free agency for second contracts elsewhere, one retired, and the rest were released.
Schmitz is the Giants' starting center. An unofficial depth chart released before the preseason opener listed Thibodeaux as a co-starter at edge rusher opposite Brian Burns and Banks as the starting outside cornerback; that document predates the final roster cuts and carries no official standing. McFadden is listed as a backup behind free-agent addition Jack Kelly at off-ball linebacker.
Guard Joshua Ezeudu, a 2022 third-round pick, was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 25 for a 2028 seventh-round pick. He is the only one of the 18 picks Schoen has traded.
Four picks signed with other teams as free agents. Receiver Wan'Dale Robinson, cornerback Cor'Dale Flott and tight end Daniel Bellinger, all 2022 picks, signed with the Tennessee Titans, reuniting with former Giants coach Brian Daboll. Safety Dane Belton, also a 2022 pick, signed a one-year deal with the New York Jets. Robinson's deal is worth $70 million in base value over four years, $38 million guaranteed, and up to $78 million with incentives. NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported Flott signed for three years and $45 million, $32 million guaranteed. Bellinger's three-year, $24 million contract includes $14.01 million guaranteed, per Titansized. Belton's Jets deal is worth $4 million guaranteed, up to $6 million with incentives, per SI On SI's Jets coverage.
The base value of the four free-agent deals totals $143 million, the figure Dunleavy cited. Counting incentives, the total is $151 million to $153 million, depending on whether Belton's contract is counted at its $4 million guaranteed floor or its $6 million incentive-laden ceiling.
Running back Eric Gray, a 2023 fifth-round pick, was released Sunday along with Neal and Hyatt. Neal started 27 games at tackle over three seasons, per Pro Football Reference. ClutchPoints reported he last played in 2024 because of a hamstring injury. Hyatt was a healthy scratch for much of the 2025 season. Guard Marcus McKethan and linebacker Darrian Beavers, both 2022 picks, were released in earlier roster cuts. Defensive tackle D.J. Davidson, a 2022 fifth-round pick, left the Giants after the 2025 season, signed with Washington in March, and retired Aug. 8. Three 2023 late-round picks — cornerback Tre Hawkins III, defensive tackle Jordon Riley and safety Gervarrius Owens — are no longer with the Giants.
Head coach John Harbaugh, speaking to reporters before Sunday's cuts, called the roster-trimming process difficult but not always final. “This week, to your point, is a very challenging week because there will be guys that won't be here after this week,” Harbaugh said Aug. 24. “Now, maybe they'll come back — we brought Ben (Barten) back, the defensive lineman who just got released by the Jets and came back to us again here this week.” SI On SI's Patricia Traina first reported the remarks.
Schoen is scheduled to address reporters again Tuesday, Big Blue Interactive reported.
2022 (11 picks):
- Kayvon Thibodeaux, DE (R1) — on roster.
- Evan Neal, OT (R1) — cut Aug. 30.
- Wan'Dale Robinson, WR (R2) — signed with Tennessee.
- Joshua Ezeudu, G (R3) — traded to Kansas City.
- Cor'Dale Flott, CB (R3) — signed with Tennessee.
- Daniel Bellinger, TE (R4) — signed with Tennessee.
- Dane Belton, S (R4) — signed with the Jets.
- Micah McFadden, LB (R5) — on roster.
- D.J. Davidson, DT (R5) — retired.
- Marcus McKethan, G (R5) — released in an earlier roster cut.
- Darrian Beavers, LB (R6) — released in an earlier roster cut.
2023 (7 picks):
- Deonte Banks, CB (R1) — on roster.
- John Michael Schmitz, C (R2) — on roster.
- Jalin Hyatt, WR (R3) — cut Aug. 30.
- Eric Gray, RB (R5) — cut Aug. 30.
- Tre Hawkins III, CB (R6) — no longer with the Giants.
- Jordon Riley, DT (R7) — no longer with the Giants.
- Gervarrius Owens, S (R7) — no longer with the Giants.