Jerry Reese and New York Giants Inconsistent Draft History

When Jerry Reese became the general manager of the New York Giants in 2007, he inherited a talented team that was put together by previous general manager Ernie Acorsi. The Giants won the Super Bowl that year due to the work of both Reese and what was left behind by Acorsi. Over the next couple of years there have been highs and lows due to hits and misses in the draft.

The Giants won another title in 2011, but have failed to make the playoffs since and now in the middle of the 2014 season, the Giants currently sit at 3-4 and on the road to missing the playoffs yet again barring a turnaround. The core of all championship teams are built through the draft and then supplemented with a few key free agents that complete the nucleus of a winning team.

Reese has certainly had some great draft picks that have translated into two Lombardi trophies, but he has also had some bad picks that were the main reasons for the inconsistent seasons in between. Let’s take a look at the biggest hits and misses Reese has had over his eight season tenure as general manager.

Hits:

DE Jason Pierre-Paul (2010)

CB Prince Amukamara (2011)

LB Jacquain Williams (2011)

OL Justin Pugh (2013)

DT Johnathan Hankins (2013)

DT Linval Joseph (2010)

RB Ahmad Bradshaw (2007)

S Kenny Phillips (2008)

WR Mario Manningham (2008)

DE Damontre Moore (2013)

WR Reuben Randle (2012)

WR Odell Beckham Jr.(2014)

C Weston Richburg (2014)

LT Will Beatty (2009)

TE Kevin Boss (2007)

WR Hakeem Nicks (2009)

LS Zak DeOssie (2007)

Misses:

LB Clint Sintim (2009)

TE Adrien Robinson aka what Resse proclaimed him as “the JPP of tight ends”(2012)

LB Phillip Dillard (2010)

P Matt Dodge still doesn’t exist in the eyes of many for a reason we won’t talk about here (2010)

DT Marvin Austin (2011)

WR Jerrel Jernigan (2011)

DE Robert Henderson (2008)

CB Aaron Ross (2007)

OL James Brewer (2011)

OL Mitch Petrus (2010)

S Tyler Sash (2011)

LB Phillip Dillard (2010)

DE Adrian Tracy (2010)

CB Jayron Hosley (2012)

DT Markus Kuhn (2012)

OL Brandon Mosley (2012)

TE Travis Beckum (2009)

Now I will not be including players who have had their careers ended early by unexpected injuries (running backs David Wilson in 2011 and Andre Brown in 2009, wide receiver Steve Smith in 2007, safety Chad Jones in 2010, cornerback Terell Thomas in 2008, and LB Johnathan Goff also in 2008) because I feel that is not the fault of the general manager if unexpected injuries end the careers of promising young players. There have been many picks that haven’t panned out for Reese and the Giants as you can see from the “hits” section for there are only one or two players from each draft class Reese has had up to this point.

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I highlighted the biggest misses Reese has had in his drafts because plenty of other better players could have become the next big thing on the team. Many won’t even remember the names I listed but it is a trip down memory lane that must be taken.

Also aside from Nicks, who was only productive for two seasons, and Beatty who has been inconsistent, Reese’s entire 2009 draft was by far his worst. To his credit though, Reese has also seen undrafted free agents shine like Victor Cruz and Will Hill (before he got in trouble with the law).

Overall, Reese has certainly had an inconsistent draft record and it has shown on the playing field with the inconsistent seasons under his tenure. He has also had hits and misses in free agency, but this article is only focused on his draft skills that must improve if the New York Giants wish to be contenders on a yearly basis and avoid turning into the circus that is the New York Jets.

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