Nick Saban influenced Giants' draft plans by naming two top prospects who were 'f----ing problems' in college

HBO's 'Hard Knocks: Offseason with the New York Giants' revealed yet another interesting tidbit about the team's offseason

By Will Brinson Jul 24, 2024 at 5:33 pm ET• 3 min read

The Giants have been a focal point of the NFL this offseason. Not just because of their quarterback drama in free agency and in the draft, but also thanks to their participation in HBO's offseason version of "Hard Knocks." And in the latest episode, the drama got drilled down even further, with Giants coach Brian Daboll revealing former Alabama coach-turned-ESPN analyst Nick Saban helped to influence who New York wanted to take with the No. 6 pick.

More specifically, a phone conversation between Saban and Daboll the day of the draft really allowed the Giants to hone in on either Malik Nabers or Brock Bowers. GM Joe Schoen was meeting with Daboll as well as Giants co-owners Steve Tisch and John Mara to go over the plan on draft night. 

Ownership, recalling the trade up for Eli Manning, seemed inclined on being bold and chasing a quarterback. Daboll's recounting of the convo with Saban on the latest "Hard Knocks" episode seemed intended to change that perspective. 

Daboll recalled: "On the way in [to the office], I was talking to Nick, you know, Saban, and said 'Hey ... the last couple of years, gimme the guys in the draft, your top three.' And he's like, 'There are two skill guys that are f----ing problems. And they were problems when we played them. Big time problems.'