JUST-IN; NFL Ranking Shocker From Draft Day Hope to Disappointment: Giants’ Starting Center Called One of NFL’s Worst Among League’s Worst Starters — Can He Silence the Doubters in Year 3?

Two seasons into his NFL career, John Michael Schmitz of the New York Giants is still viewed as one of the lower-ranked starting centers in the league.

In a recent Pro Football Focus ranking of all 32 starting centers, the 2023 second-round pick landed at No. 26. While he hasn’t fully met the expectations that come with being a high draft pick, Schmitz did show noticeable progress in his second year. After earning a disappointing 41.4 overall grade from PFF as a rookie, he improved to 61.4 in his sophomore season.

That upward trend suggests he still has room to grow. His pass-blocking grade jumped from a poor 26.9 in 2023 to 50.2 in 2024 — still below average, but clearly a step in the right direction. His run-blocking grade also saw a nearly 16-point increase, signaling further development.

Veteran guard Greg Van Roten recently praised Schmitz, saying, “I love playing next to John. He’s an extremely smart center and continues to take steps forward. In Year 3, you want him to truly take that next leap — and I think he’s ready to be that guy.”

The Giants are counting on continued growth from Schmitz. He hasn’t fully validated his second-round selection yet, but 2025 could be the year he proves he belongs among the league’s better centers.