New York Giants: Top 10 Fourth Round Draft Picks of All-Time
By Neal Lynch
6. Mark Bavaro (1985)
Games: 82
Approximate Value (“AV”) w/ Giants: 36
Seasons w/ Giants: 6
Average AV Per Season: 7
Drafted by the New York Giants in the 4th round (100th overall) of the 1985 NFL Draft, before the Los Angeles Rams selected Auburn pass rusher Kevin Greene and the Cowboys picked Georgia running back Herschel Walker, and after the Buffalo Bills nabbed Kutztown wide receiver Andre Reed.
In 22 games over two seasons at Notre Dame, Bavaro caught 55 passes for 771 yards and four touchdowns. Mark won All-America honors his senior season and developed a reputation for playing through injuries. Head Coach Gerry Faust remarked, “He plays with pain better than any player I’ve seen in my 37 years of coaching.”
In six seasons with Big Blue, Bavaro started 80 of 82 games played, catching 266 balls for more than 3,700 yards and 28 touchdowns. Mark was a two-time Pro Bowler and First-Team All-Pro (1986, 1987). His eight receiving touchdowns in 1987 was third most in the NFL while his 72.3 receiving yards per game that season was 10th highest in the league. Bavaro’s 28 receiving touchdowns are good for 10th on the Giants career list.
Bavaro entered the Giants Ring of Honor in 2011.
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