New York Giants: Top 10 Second Round Draft Picks of All-Time
By Neal Lynch
8. Osi Umenyiora – DE, Troy Trojans (2003, #56)
Games: 129
Approximate Value: 65
Average Approximate Value Per Season: 8
In the 2003 NFL Draft, the Giants selected little known defensive end from Troy University, Osi Umenyiora with the 56th overall pick, two selections after Florida State wide receiver Anquan Boldin. Osi would go on to play in 129 games over nine seasons with Big Blue, forcing 32 fumbles, recovering 13, and racking up 75 sacks along with more than 375 combined tackles.
Umenyiora only started three full seasons for the G-Men and those three were his best: 2005, 2007, and 2010. In 2005, he had four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and 14.5 sacks (2nd most in the league) en route to his first Pro Bowl.
Osi’s other honors include…
2005 1st Team All-Conf. Pro Football Weekly, 1st Team All-NFL Associated Press, 1st Team All-NFL Pro Football Writers
PFWA Most Improved Player of the Year (2005)
In 2007, Osi earned his second Pro Bowl nod, forcing five fumbles, recovering two, and manufacturing 13 sacks (six of which came against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 4, a Giants franchise record) along with 52 combined tackles.
In 2010, Umenyiora forced 10 fumbles (NFL single season record) to go with his 11.5 sacks and 48 combined tackles. For his efforts, Osi was named 2nd Team All-NFL by the Associated Press.
The London-born speed rusher – one of three British-born players to have won a Super Bowl – has the second highest career approximate value for Troy alumni behind DeMarcus Ware.
Next: A TIGER WHO EARNED HIS STRIPES