John Michael Schmitz 2023 NFL Draft Profile: Everything you need to know about Giants’ second-round pick
The Giants selected John Michael Schmitz with the 57th overall pick (second round) in the 2023 NFL Draft. Here's what you need to know…
By The Numbers
Height: 6-foot-3.5
Weight: 301 pounds
40-time: 5.35 seconds
Vertical: 29.5 inches
Arm length: 32 5/8 inches
Accolades: First-team All-American (2022), First-team All-Big Ten (2022), Second-team All-Big Ten (2021)
Prospect Overview
NFL Network: Schmitz is a highly consistent zone-scheme center with decent size. He is well-schooled in all phases of the run game. He consistently uses the proper footwork and angles to find early positioning and has the tenacity to finish blocks at a high rate. He has plus football intelligence and makes the calls for his offense. His drive power is average and he can be hit-or-miss getting to second-level targets. Schmitz lacks length and his edges will get a little leaky in pass protection from time to time, but his overall technique and teamwork in the run game should create a plug-and-play opportunity in the pros
The Draft Network: Minnesota IOL John Michael Schmitz projects as a starting center in the NFL. There’s little question that Michael Schmitz has the frame and the IQ to play center in the NFL when you watch him on tape—he’s a large-bodied center who wins in a number of different ways. Schmitz is a powerful center that offers the kind of stature that would shine in an inside zone and between-the-tackles gap running system. Offering effective punch and pad power as a run blocker, Schmitz projects as someone capable of generating the needed wash in the front to allow backs and lead blockers to hit gaps with confidence. There’s a stout anchor in pass protection present here as well.
Why John Michael Schmitz Makes Sense for Giants
Having lost both Nick Gates and Jon Feliciano in the offseason, the Giants needed to find a starter and Schmitz may be the best center in this draft class.
A solid run blocker and consistent pass protector with on-field discipline, Schmitz is a versatile player who impressed at the Senior Bowl with his athleticism, strength and leverage. He could provide a long-term solution at center for Big Blue. He started every game in 2021 and 2022 (25 games) for Minnesota.
Connor's Take
Give Joe Schoen credit: He tried everything he could to make it seem like the Giants didn't want to add a center this draft. He stressed — over and over again — he was content with the status of their room.
Smokescreen season, indeed, as the Giants used their second-round pick on a player in Schmitz whom many evaluators believed was the best center in the draft.
Schmitz is a player who figures to slide in as the Giants' Week 1 starting center. He's just an overall good player, one source said, who is controlled in his blocks, takes good angles, and sticks on guys. He's a steady presence in the middle of the offensive line with good substance to him.
NFL Comparison:
NFL.com: Ben Jones
