New York Giants: Top 15 first-round draft picks all-time
By Henry Buggy
. Halfback. USC Trojans, 1952. Frank Gifford. 2. player. 31
The top two players on this list should come as no surprise. George Connor, Frank Gifford and the No. 1 player on this list are the only Giants first-round picks to make the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Gifford was a First-Team All-American coming out of USC and was the No. 11 overall pick in 1952. Big Blue’s Hall of Fame halfback left a lasting legacy both on the field and in the broadcast booth.
He was a four-time first-team All-Pro, an eight-time Pro Bowler and an NFL champion. Gifford was the league’s Player of the Year in 1956 when he accounted 1,422 all-purpose yards and nine touchdowns in just 12 games. He still holds the second most receiving yards (5,434), eighth most rushing yards (3,609) and most touchdowns (78) in franchise history, excluding quarterbacks.
He was the definition of versatile, playing three different positions throughout his NFL career, including defensive back. In fact, one of his touchdowns came on a pick-six. He also threw 14 touchdown passes, which are not included in his franchise record.
Gifford spent his entire 12-year NFL career with the Giants.
He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1977. The Giants legend is also member of the 1950s All-Decade Team. Gifford died in August, 2015 at the age of 84. His No. 16 jersey was retired in 2000.