Most of the greatest New York Giants players of all-time came via the NFL Draft. But, sometimes, superb talent can slip past everyone selecting, go undrafted, and get signed as undrafted free agents afterwards. We’re taking a look at the best undrafted NFL players originally signed the the G-Men.
Previously, we looked at the best free agent signings in Giants history, but didn’t include undrafted free agents. With this post, the key caveat or qualifier to make the cut is the undrafted player had to be originally signed by the Giants.
There have been a handful of exceptional undrafted players who originally signed elsewhere and ended up with Big Blue like center Shaun O’Hara out of Rutgers (Cleveland Browns in 2000), middle linebacker Antonio Pierce from the University of Arizona (Redskins in 2001), defensive lineman Cullen Jenkins from Central Michigan (Green Bay Packers in 2004), Jeff Feagles (New England Patriots in 1988)and running back Doug Kotar from Kentucky (Steelers in 1974).
Oh, and the list only includes players who consistently had high average approximate values per season, so running back Ryan Grant, kicker Matt Bryant, safety Ryan Clark and defensive end Cameron Wake who were all undrafted, all signed by the Giants, and all ended up becoming Pro Bowlers with other teams aren’t on the list.
The Giants also have a few undrafted free agents on the current roster who could end up on this list in years to come like Mark Herzlich, Larry Donnell and Will Tye.
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
- Phil McConkey – WR, Navy Midshipmen (1984)
- Zeke Mowatt – TE, Florida State Seminoles (1983)
- Chase Blackburn – LB, Akron Zips (2005)
- Bob Lurtsema – DL, Western Michigan Broncos (1967)
- Cliff Livingston – LB, UCLA Bruins (1954)
- Percy Ellsworth – S, Virginia Cavaliers (1996)
- Hank Soar – RB/DB, Providence College Friars (1937), 1-time Pro Bowler (’38)
- Frank Liebel – End / DB, Norwich Cadets (1942), All-NFL 2nd team (1945, 1946)
- Bill Paschal – RB, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (1943), All-Pro selection (1944), NFL rushing champion (1943, 1944)
- Sean Landeta – P, Towson Tigers (1985), Pro Bowl (1986, 1990), All-Pro (1986, 1989, 1990), Super Bowl champion (XXI, XXV), NFL 1980s All-Decade Team, NFL 1990s All-Decade Team
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