Joe Schoen on Giants’ WR need: ‘A No. 1 wide receiver doesn’t guarantee you anything’

Every NFL general manager wants a star wide receiver, including the Giants’ Joe Schoen.

But Schoen pushed back on Monday against the idea that he is desperate for one.

“I think we want to continue to build the entire team,” the Giants’ GM said. “I know a No. 1 wide receiver can be important, but there are some No. 1 wide receivers that are home right now. I can go through this past weekend. I can go through a couple weekends ago in the playoffs. A No. 1 receiver doesn’t guarantee you anything.

“I think it’s important we continue to build the team, and there’s multiple positions we want to upgrade throughout the offseason,” Schoen continued. “So I’d love to have a No. 1 wide receiver, but we’ve got to place value on everything we do, and if it makes sense, that’s something we’ll look to do.”

This doesn’t mean Schoen isn’t looking to upgrade the receiver room. Of course, he is.

The GM tried all spring, summer and fall of 2022 to turn over his receiver room. He drafted Wan’Dale Robinson, traded Kadarius Toney, signed Richie James and claimed Isaiah Hodgins.

And he hosted Odell Beckham Jr. on a free agent visit and dinner in December, for crying out loud.

Schoen may end up using the Giants’ No. 25 overall draft pick on a receiver and signing one in free agency on top of that, if not trading for one, as well.

He was aggressive at last fall’s trade deadline about pursuing the Broncos’ Jerry Jeudy before Denver made clear he wasn’t available.

It’s just that Schoen doesn’t want to overpay or surrender leverage in free agent negotiations by acknowledging a desperate need at that position.

So stay tuned. Undoubtedly, John Mara, Steve Tisch, Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll will continue to have their eyes on reinforcing and upgrading Daniel Jones’ receiving corps.

AROUND THE ROSTER

Schoen was asked about Beckham’s dinner and the possibility of revisiting that option. He said dinner was “good” and dodged discussing OBJ at all. He said only “we’re gonna consider when we have this offseason every position, who’s available” … Schoen said bringing back veteran receiver Sterling Shepard is “something we may or may not entertain.” He said Shepard is “one of my favorites,” and the Giants will “continue to monitor his rehab” coming off a torn ACL following a torn Achilles the previous season. It’s hard to imagine Shepard fitting on the roster in 2023, even though everyone hopes he can get healthy. But it’s not a stretch to imagine him as part of the Giants’ staff if and when he is finished playing … Schoen said of safety Julian Love, who he negotiated with during the bye week: “Julian knows how we feel about him. We had a good exit interview with him yesterday. We’ll talk to the coaches and see where he fits in, and if we can get something done that would be good.” … Schoen on how to deal with DL Leonard Williams’ $18 million salary and $32.2 million cap hit in 2023: “We haven’t discussed that yet. I liked his quote yesterday … that he’d be interested in taking a pay cut. It was a good job whoever asked him that. He didn’t mention that in the exit interview with us, but… [laughs]” … Schoen chuckled when asked if DL Dexter Lawrence has done enough to earn an extension. Lawrence has one more season on his fifth-year option remaining on his rookie deal. “Yeah, I would say Dexter’s done enough,” Schoen said. “Dexter played really well, great person, great teammate. Glad he’s here.” LT Andrew Thomas is also eligible for an extension and due to be paid big. Schoen is now going to work on making those puzzles fit.