Giants get center Schmitz and WR Hyatt on Day 2 of NFL draft
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — The New York Giants may finally have found a deep-threat receiver and a center for quarterback Daniel Jones, taking John Michael Schmitz and speedy wide out Jalin Hyatt in the second and third rounds of the NFL draft Friday night.
After losing two centers to free agency, the Giants grabbed Schmitz of Minnesota in the second round and then traded up to No. 73 overall in the third round to take Hyatt, the speedster from Tennessee who caught 15 touchdowns this past season.
The Los Angeles Rams received the Giants' third and fourth-round selections in the deal.
Hyatt had been projected to be taken no later than the middle of the second round so New York may have gotten a steal.
Jones had a career season in leading the Giants (9-7-1) to their first playoff berth since 2016. He signed a four-year, $160 million contract in the offseason.
Starting center Jon Feliciano signed with the San Francisco 49ers and backup Nick Gates went to Washington.
Schmitz described himself as a tough, dependable, nasty guy who probably will get a shot at replacing Feliciano in the starting lineup. His personality is very much like that of Feliciano.
Still, he will need to fight to take the job. The Giants have 14 offensive linemen on their roster and said the coaches were confident one could play center.
The 24-year-old Schmitz played five seasons with the Golden Gophers of the Big Ten, starting his final 35 games.
The 6-foot Hyatt had 11 catches of 40-plus yards, seven of 50-plus and five of 60-plus last season, all tops in major college football.
New York selected Maryland cornerback Deonte Banks in the first round with the 24th pick overall.
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Tom Canavan, The Associated Press