New York Giants: Top 10 First Round Draft Picks of All-Time
By Mike Luca
10. Jason Pierre-Paul, DE (2010, #15)
34 pass deflections in six (more or less) seasons. Per Pro-Football-Reference, that ranks higher than any non-defensive back on the Giants’ all-time list (sixth overall) and more than doubles that of Hall of Famer Michael Strahan (16).
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Ebony Bird
The freakish Nigerian specimen from South Florida is hardly mentioned first as a recent pass-rushing hero of Super Bowls, unlike Michael Strahan, Justin Tuck or Osi Umenyiora. As the more pressure-ridden first-rounder, though, JPP cashed in early once promoted in 2011 (16.5 sacks, 72 tackles, 7 PD, 2 FF) en route to helping New York thwart Tom Brady and the New England Patriots for the second time.
As we’ll surely dive into, many of New York’s greatest come with character hiccups. JPP humbly accepted a bandaid of a one-year contract (arguably by default) in renovation of his hand and image, so there’s hope he can contribute something special to the organization moving forward.
If the second half of JPP’s career can reach any level of his first, then fireworks will set off from a safe distance in celebration.
- Pro Bowl (2011, 2012)
- 2011 1st Team All-NFL Associated Press
- 2011 1st Team All-NFL Pro Football Writers
- 2011 2nd Team All-NFL Pro Football Focus
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