Best New York Giants Rookies of All-Time: The Top All-Rookie Team
By Neal Lynch
DEFENSE:
DEFENSIVE LINE
Bill Neill (1981)
Bill’s best year was his first one as the 22-year-old nose tackle started in all 16 games recovering 1 fumble. I can’t track down any stats for sacks or tackles, but Pro Football Reference gave him an approximate value of 10, which was highest among Giants rookie defensive linemen.
John Mendenhall (1972)
Not many stats for the 24-year-old Grambling State grad, other a fumble recovery and 14 starts in 14 games played. PFR gave him an AV of 7, second highest among Giants rookie D-linemen.
Larry Jacobson (1972)
The ’70s were the worst decade for Big Blue and I’m extremely glad I wasn’t alive to see it, but after writing this article, I guess you’d have to be happy about the defensive line. Jacobson was an Academic All-American and winner of the Outland Trophy as a senior.
Henry Reed (1971)
The 23-year-old Weber State product started in 9 of the 14 games he played tallying an interception and fumble recovery. That was enough to earn an AV of 7 by PFR.
Honorable Mentions: Johnathan Hankins (2013), Rosey Grier (1955), Jim Krahl (1978), Leonard Marshall (1983), George Martin (1975), Cornelius Griffin (2000), Bob Lurtsema (1967), Troy Archer (1976), Roger Anderson (1964), Lou Cordileone (1960), Curtis McGriff (1980), Gary Jeter (1977), Fred Dryer (1969), Phil Tabor (1979), Barry Cofield (2006)
Next: THE LINEBACKERS