Revisiting NY Giants’ 2018 NFL Draft: What ‘mistakes’ were made? What could’ve been different?

Round 5, pick No. 139: DE R.J. McIntosh, Miami

Prior to trading up to select cornerback DeAndre Baker in the first-round of the 2019 NFL Draft, McIntosh will go down as the worst pick made by Gettleman during his tenure with the Giants.

McIntosh has appeared in 18 games for the Giants, producing just two sacks and 18 total tackles. He did not play a single snap in 2020.

Somehow, McIntosh has survived three years worth of roster moves without being waived by the Giants. Depending on what the organization does to fortify the defensive line this offseason, it will be interesting to see if that streak carries into 2021.

What might have been different?

Short of letting time expire on the clock, it’s hard to imagine this selection playing out much worse than it did for the Giants.

Safety D.J. Reed has found a home with the Seattle Seahawks in his third season, after being chosen two picks after McIntosh, producing a 73.1 overall grade from PFF, while holding opposing quarterbacks to a 75.9 passer rating when targeting him this season.

Safety/linebacker Marcus Allen has consistently made an impact on the Steelers’ defense and special teams.

Offensive tackle Tyrell Crosby has allowed just 45 total pressures in his first three seasons as an anchor of the Detroit Lions’ offensive line at right tackle.

All three of those players would have provided excellent value and filled pressing needs.

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All told, three years after its completion, the Giants have five players still on the roster from the 2018 draft class.

However, even if Barkley goes on to become one of the NFL’s premier running backs for the next five years, unless he plays an instrumental role in delivering a Super Bowl championship to the Giants it will be difficult to judge this class as a success.

Likewise, there is a very good chance that within two years Hernandez, Hill, and Carter will either be off the roster or backup players based on their limited production through their first three seasons.

Mara has claimed that the Giants have fixed their personnel process and that was a chief tenet of retaining Gettleman this offseason. He better be right.

Matt Lombardo is the site expert for GMenHQ, and writes Between The Hash Marks each Wednesday for FanSided. Follow Matt on Twitter: @MattLombardoNFL.