New York Giants: Top 10 Second Round Draft Picks of All-Time
By Neal Lynch
7. Leonard Marshall – DE, LSU Tigers (1983, #37)
Games: 149
Approximate Value: 78
Average Approximate Value Per Season: 8
In the 1983 NFL Draft, the Giants selected defensive end out of LSU, Leonard Marshall, with the 37th overall pick, two behind Wes Hopkins to the Eagles and two ahead of Darryl Talley to the Buffalo Bills. From Leonard’s Wikipedia page:
"“At the time Los Angeles Raiders managing general partner Al Davis described him as the steal of the draft.”"
That draft also brought in safety Terry Kinard from Clemson, tackle Karl Nelson from Iowa State, cornerback Perry Williams from North Carolina State, linebacker Andy Headen also from Clemson, kicker Ali Haji-Sheikh from Michigan and “Mr. Irrelevant” John Tuggle from California. Big Blue also signed undrafted free agent Zeke Mowatt from Florida State that offseason.
Over his 10-year career with the G-Men, Marshall played in 149 games, starting 123, forcing 9 fumbles, recovering five, and amassing 79.5 sacks (5th in team history) with 660 solo tackles. His two best years came in 1985 and 1986 when he started every game of each season, making the Pro Bowl twice.
Marshall’s honors include…
1985 1st Team All-Conf. UPI, 2nd Team All-NFL Associated Press, 2nd Team All-NFL Newspaper Ent. Assoc.
1986 2nd Team All-Conf. UPI, 2nd Team All-NFL Associated Press
In 1985, his 15.5 sacks were third most in the league and was named NFL Defensive Lineman of the Year, which he also earned the following season in 1986 when his 12 sacks were good enough for 10th most in the NFL. He’s currently 53rd on the all-time sacks leaderboard. Among LSU alumni, Marshall places 10th in career approximate value.
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