New York Giants: Top 15 first-round draft picks all-time
By Henry Buggy
Ike Hilliard. 12. player. 31. . Wide Receiver. Florida Gators, 1997
Hakeem Nicks has a valid argument to make this list, but unfortunately his career was cut short after just seven seasons. Ike Hilliard, however, spent eight seasons with Big Blue and was still a productive receiver for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the final four years of his NFL career.
The No. 7 overall pick in the 1997 NFL Draft still holds the fifth most receptions (368) in franchise history and the ninth most receiving yards (4,630), according to Pro Football Reference. The Florida Gators’ All-American receiver helped the Giants post a 12-4 record and reach Super Bowl XXXV during the 2000 season.
He exploded in the NFC Championship Game, leading the team with 10 catches for 155 yards and two touchdowns. Hilliard was unable to win a title with the Giants, but that shouldn’t diminish the impact he had on the field.
Hilliard’s 546 receptions, 6,397 receiving yards, and 35 touchdowns puts him ahead of Nicks, Victor Cruz, and many other great receivers. His career longevity and numbers are the reasons he makes this list. Nicks and Mark Ingram are surely not far behind though due to their Super Bowl rings.
Hilliard spent most of his time with the Giants catching passes from Kerry Collins, leaving the team a year after Manning’s rookie season.
For some reason, Hilliard tends to be forgotten when remembering New York’s great receivers. That may be due to the fact that he spent his entire Giants career alongside the franchise’s all-time leading receiver in Amani Toomer.