EAST RUTHERFORD - The conspiracy theory launched on social media in the days that followed the New York Giants' selection of Malik Nabers - and his reaction to being picked that was never really shown - is now dead.
Yes, Giants fans: Nabers did indeed smile when he hugged his mother, shortly after NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announced his name as the No. 6 overall pick back in April. And we got to finally see that for ourselves in the finale of "Hard Knocks: Offseason with the New York Giants," which aired for the first time July 30.
"You jacked up, I'm jacked up," Nabers told Giants general manager Joe Schoen on the call to tell him he was the pick.
The fifth and final episode was a solid wrap-up of the first-of-its-kind series from NFL Films, unique because of the focus it placed on the offseason process of building a team with Schoen and members of his scouting and personnel staffs being in the "Hard Knocks" spotlight typically reserved for players and coaches.
Because of the show's timeline, we knew the six picks made by Schoen and the Giants in this year's draft. Nabers and the rest of the Class of 2024 are already six practices into training camp, and his performance on the field so far matches the hype and the adulation the Giants showed him throughout the evaluation process.
“No. 1 receiver in the draft, according to your rankings” Schoen told Daboll inside the Giants' draft room moments after making the pick.
"We knew that was the player we would take if he was there,” Daboll said of Nabers.
Here are the rest of our takeaways from the finale:
Stuck in a corner
The Giants went into Round 2 with three players they desired at the top of their board: cornerbacks Kool-Aid McKinstry of Alabama, who they met with on a "30" visit; and Kamari Lassiter of Georgia; and safety Tyler Nubin of Minnesota.
Schoen talked about the possibility of trading up from No. 47 to be in position to draft McKinstry or Lassiter, but did not want to part ways with their second-rounder plus a fourth-round pick. McKinstry went to the Saints at No. 41; Lassiter went No. 42 to the Texans. The Giants stayed put and drafted Nubin, who defensive coordinator Shane Bowen acknowledged was his "No. 1 guy" in a conversation with Schoen.
Giants were staying put at No. 6
Schoen seemingly made it clear that, if Nabers or Marvin Harrison Jr. was on the board, the Giants were sticking and picking. They did field at least two calls from prospective trade partners when they were on the clock: the Colts and GM Chris Ballard, who offered No. 15 overall, their second round pick (No. 46) and a 2025 second round pick.
And the Jets were apparently interested as Schoen was shown taking a call from GM Joe Douglas, but no parameters of a potential offer were revealed.
It had to be Dru ...
The Giants apparently had Dru Phillips as their final cornerback who could be a Year 1 starter and not a developmental prospect, and they picked the Kentucky star with No. 70 in the third round.
"He'd be the last corner we'd be fired up about getting," Schoen told Giants co-owner John Mara earlier in the day.
Part of Phillips' "30" visit was shown with Daboll and Schoen in Schoen's office, and Daboll asked Phillips what he thought his No. 1 quality was.
"It’s my toughness," Phillips told Daboll. "I’m not scared of nobody on that field."
And that's a wrap
The final scene of the series begins with a tight shot of Schoen on the balcony of Mara's office overlooking the practice fields. The players and coaches are participating in June minicamp, and Daboll has now taken center stage with Schoen and his staff stepping into the background.
Daboll tells Nabers he's glad he's here, and quarterback Daniel Jones is shown talking with Nabers about a certain route concept and what he may be looking for. The voice over from narrator Liev Schreiber suggests the offseason is now over, and the regular season is about to begin.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Giants on 'Hard Knocks': A solid finale ends interesting offseason as a new season begins
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