New York Giants: 10 worst draft busts of Jerry Reese era

No. 9 – Matt Dodge P, East Carolina 7th Rd (221st) 2010

While it would likely sound absurd to any non giant fan to include a 7th round punter on a list of draft busts, Big Blue faithful know just how much Matt Dodge earned his spot here. The East Carolina standout was having a poor enough season before that fateful December 2010 day already, and that was before he became a name just as infamous in New York Giants history as (gulp) Trey Junkin.

The New York Giants had not used a draft selection on a punter in 13 years, mainly because of how clutch and steady Dodge’s predecessor was. Rationally, Dodge was never going to live up to the standard Jeff Feagles had set before him. Nonetheless, anytime a team spends any kind of draft capital on a special teamer they are expected to produce and earn a roster spot for the long haul.

The big legged southerner came up north with loads of potential, sporting a gaudy 45.8 YPA at ECU, good for second in the entire FBS. He struggled to tone down his boom stick and pick up the directional punting skills direly needed to be a sound professional.

A disastrous rookie season ended with a 34.4 net average, only 20 of 72 punts landed inside the twenty and one nightmare memory that he will never be able to separate himself from. The original miracle in the meadow lands was horrid enough, thanks to Matt Dodge we had to relive an arguably even worse one decades later.