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New York Giants: Top 15 first-round draft picks all-time

By Henry Buggy

PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 04: Odell Beckham No. 13 of the New York Giants makes a catch in the third quarter during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on December 4, 2016 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 04: Odell Beckham No. 13 of the New York Giants makes a catch in the third quarter during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on December 4, 2016 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /
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Lawrence Taylor, New York Giants
Lawrence Taylor, New York Giants. (Photo by University of North Carolina/Getty Images) /

1. player. 31. . Linebacker. North Carolina Tar Heels, 1981. Lawrence Taylor

In 1981, the Giants made arguably their greatest selection in franchise history. Big Blue took ACC Player of the Year Lawrence Taylor with the second overall pick in the 1981 NFL Draft.

Taylor quickly made his presence felt at the next level, winning NFL Defensive Player of the Year in his rookie season. He would go on to win the award two more times and is the last defensive player to win league MVP in 1986.

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Taylor is not only arguably the greatest Giant to ever wear the uniform, he may be the NFL’s best defensive player of all-time. NFL Network’s Elliot Harrison surely thinks so, placing Taylor No. 1 on his list of top 10 defensive players all-time.

The 10-time Pro Bowler spent his entire 13-year career with the Giants, helping the franchise win its first two Lombardi Trophies. He holds the second most sacks (132.5) in franchise history, trailing only fellow Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Strahan. But it also has to be noted that Taylor’s sacks in his rookie year were not accounted for.

Taylor started in 15 career playoff games and logged an incredible 180 regular season starts for the Giants. He is one of just seven linebackers named to the NFL’s 75th Anniversary All-Time Team and was inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1999.

Next: Top 10 plays in New York Giants Super Bowl history

L.T.’s place in Giants history will never be forgotten, nor will his bone-crushing hits on opposing quarterbacks. The league may never see another player as fierce as Taylor and most Giants fans are fine with that.

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