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New York Giants: Top 10 Third Round Draft Picks of All-Time

By Neal Lynch

Jan 27, 1991; Tampa, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; New York Giants quarterback Jeff Hostetler (15) throws the ball while center Bart Oates (65) and guard Eric Moore (60) block Buffalo Bills linebacker Shane Conlan (58) and nose tackle Jeff Wright (91) during Super Bowl XXV at Tampa Stadium. The Giants defeated the Bills 19-20. Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports
Jan 27, 1991; Tampa, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; New York Giants quarterback Jeff Hostetler (15) throws the ball while center Bart Oates (65) and guard Eric Moore (60) block Buffalo Bills linebacker Shane Conlan (58) and nose tackle Jeff Wright (91) during Super Bowl XXV at Tampa Stadium. The Giants defeated the Bills 19-20. Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports /
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4. Karl Nelson, Iowa State Cyclones (1983)

Games: 57
Approximate Value: 27
Average AV Per Season:  8

The Giants drafter Iowa State tackle Karl Nelson 70th overall in the 3rd round of the 1983 NFL Draft, a dozen-plus picks before Oregon Ducks D-back Steve Brown went to the Houston Oilers and Nevada D-end Charles Mann went to Washington.

Nelson played in 57 games from 1983 to 1988, missing the 1987 season due to Hodgkin’s disease. You can read about his diagnosis and comeback in this great Sports Illustrated article by Jill Lieber from July 11th, 1988. Karl retired in 1989.

There was a quick interview for the New York Times blog called “The Fifth Down” by Joe Brescia, in which this happens:

"Q. Amani Toomer said that Tony Romo was a better quarterback than Eli Manning. Do you agree with Toomer? A. No. Eli is a winner, and Romo is not. The league is all about winning, and that is what Eli does."

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2023 NFL Mock Draft: Full 1st round with trades
2023 NFL Mock Draft: Full 1st round with trades /

With the First Pick

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    • Nelson’s rookie year in 1983, the Giants were a mess offensively and ranked towards the bottom of the league. But, in 1984 the Giants were 5th in passing yards, and 10th in passing touchdowns and 9th in net yards per attempt. However, the 55 sacks allowed was 8th most league-wide while the sack percentage of 9.3% was 10th highest in the NFL. The rushing game left much to be desired.

    In 1985, the rushing game bounced back with a vengeance. The Giants were third in first downs, 4th in rushing yards, second in rushing touchdowns, but still in the top 10 in sacks allowed and sack percentage.

    Though the offensive line still was in the top 10 among sacks allowed and sack percentage in 1986, the 18 rushing touchdowns was good for 7th most while the 2,245 total rushing yards and 140.3 rushing yards per game were 6th best in the NFL. The 324 first downs was also 6th highest in the league, 134 of which came on the ground, good for 5th best.

    In Nelson’s final year of 1988, the Giants’ 317 first downs was 10th best in the league, 125 of which came on the ground, placing them 9th overall in that category. However, the line tied for most sacks allowed and highest sack percentage, most likely due to Phil Simms’ lack of mobility.

    Next: TUCK OF THE IRISH

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