byJohn Schmeelk,Dan Salomone&Matt Citak

The Giants.com crew is presented with four statements and must decide whether they are Fact or Fiction.

The most interesting part of GM Joe Schoen's pre-draft press conference was his thoughts on Travis Hunter playing both sides of the ball.

John Schmeelk: FactWhat was most fascinating to me was how Joe Schoen really thought hard about how to answer the question before carefully selecting his words to make sure he expressed himself in the most accurate way possible. It tells me it is a topic that he and the front office have gone over in detail with Brian Daboll and the coaching staff as to how to use one of the most unique players to come out in years. Given the team does not have a screaming need at either cornerback or wide receiver, I think it will be easier to get him on the field right away on offense since he can play inside and outside, give any of Nabers, Slayton or Robinson a breather, and learn a smaller portion of the playbook and still be useful. Cornerbacks usually don't rotate as much as wideouts. A mental mistake at wide receiver will not cost the team the same way a blown coverage can turn into six points right away on defense.

Dan Salomone: FactTo dovetail Schmeelk's point, Schoen said he has no doubt that Hunter can do it physically (even though you always worry about the grind of a 17-game NFL schedule). It's about essentially learning two playbooks. "To me, what will have to be settled is the mental part of it because the offense is very hard to learn," Schoen said. "And then the defense on a weekly basis, it's not college anymore where, hey, these are our basic plays, this is our basic defense. We're going to play cover 3 against Kansas. We're going to play cover 3 against Nebraska. There's a lot more week-to-week matchup type stuff that our coaches are doing. Just how much can you handle mentally where you can go out there and execute and they can trust you to do your job? Physically, I wouldn't doubt the kid."

Matt Citak: FictionThe thing that really got my attention during Schoen's press conference was something he said about drafting a quarterback. While everyone always focuses on finding a franchise QB, Schoen touched on the value of being able to find a reliable backup quarterback in the draft, too. Veteran backup QBs make $4-10 million, as Schoen mentioned in his presser, and so being able to fill that position with a young, cost-controlled player for four seasons allows you to spend that money on other areas of the roster.

You would be surprised if the Giants still took a quarterback at third overall.

John Schmeelk: FactThe world seems to think Cam Ward is going first overall. With two potential blue-chip prospects in this draft in Abdul Carter and Travis Hunter that play premium positions, I have a hard time believing any team would pass on either for a quarterback much further down their board. The Giants pick at 34 and should have the opportunity to pick a quarterback there or trade back into the first round to assure they get the one they want and secure a fifth-year option on the player. The Giants may have Shedeur Sanders that high, but no one except a select few know that fact.

Dan Salomone: FictionEven though they're not forced into a corner, it doesn't mean they are ruling it out by any stretch of the imagination. They need a long-term solution at the most important position, and virtually the only way to do that is through the draft. Thursday can't get here soon enough.

Matt Citak: FictionIf I had to guess right now, I'd lean more towards Abdul Carter or Travis Hunter being the pick at No. 3. But by no means would I be surprised if the Giants took Shedeur Sanders instead. Quarterback is the most important position in football, and if the front office and coaching staff believe Sanders has what it takes to be the franchise quarterback for the next 10+ years, then without a doubt he would be in play at third overall. The private workouts Schoen mentioned on Wednesday will obviously go a long way in determining where prospects land on the Giants' final draft board.

Day 2 of the draft will be more intriguing than Day 1 for the Giants.

John Schmeelk: FactThe one caveat here is that the Giants could trade back into the first round to make sure they get the quarterback they want from that next group. But how far? To get Shedeur Sanders they would probably have to get ahead of the Steelers at 21, which would probably cost a third-round pick this year and another Day 2 pick next season. If they move up fewer spots, watch the Vikings, who have only four draft picks this year and would like to obtain more. I think it is more likely the Giants just stick and pick at 34 given their roster, which would make Day 2 extremely interesting with three selections. This draft is especially rich with potential starters from picks 30-100 (especially at defensive line and running back), making those picks critical and fascinating with so many good players on the board.

Dan Salomone: FactThe Giants have a franchise-altering decision to make at No. 3, but what they do with five picks in the top 105 is just as important. Of course, the first two days are not mutually exclusive. They could use resources one day to pick up more on the other.

Matt Citak: FactBarring a surprise trade back, the Giants are likely to land one of only a few players with the No. 3 pick. But come Friday, anything could happen. The Giants have three picks on Day 2, which is the area in which most analysts have been saying is the meat of this draft. Tyler Nubin and Dru Phillips were selected on Day 2 last year, and both contributed in a big way as rookies. The Giants could land another three big-time contributors on the second day of the draft this year, where there will be a lot more players in the mix than at No. 3.

The best value pick of Schoen's tenure has been getting RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. in the fifth round.

John Schmeelk: FACT SLAMMicah McFadden and Theo Johnson would be the other two true competitors in this little contest, but I will give the nod to Tracy. McFadden, a fifth-round pick in 2022, has turned himself into a reliable starter who can blitz and be physical against the run. Johnson has starting potential as a true in-line tight end who can block and catch the football. But Tracy has the physical gifts to become a true Pro Bowl-caliber running back, in my opinion. He has that type of vision and rushing instincts to press the hole, burst through it and make tacklers mission the second level. Give me Tracy all day long.

Dan Salomone: FictionSince 2008, there have been only three games in which a Giants player has recorded four tackles for loss or more. Micah McFadden accounts for two of them, including five against the Saints last December. The only other player in that span was Justin Tuck, who had four in a 2013 performance. Not bad for the 146th overall pick out of Indiana in 2022.

Matt Citak: FactThe debate would have to be between Tracy and Micah McFadden in my opinion, and after his rookie campaign last year, I'm giving the nod to Tracy. In his first NFL season (and only second year as a full-time running back), Tracy averaged 4.4 yards per carry and finished with 1,123 total yards from scrimmage. Not only were his numbers good, but he also just looked impressive on the field. I expect Tracy to continue to grow as he becomes more and more comfortable playing running back in the NFL, and believe he will go down as Schoen's best value pick.

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