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Dave Gentleman first rounders: Where are they now?

By Joseph Weitemeyer

New York Giants general manager Dave Gettleman on the field for training camp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Tuesday, August 18, 2020.Ny Giants Training Camp
New York Giants general manager Dave Gettleman on the field for training camp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Tuesday, August 18, 2020.Ny Giants Training Camp /
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With the 2021 NFL Draft soon approaching, let’s review some of NY Giants GM Dave Gettleman’s first round draft picks. 

Since 2013, Dave Gettlman has drafted 10 players in the first round of the NFL Draft: five players for the Carolina Panthers; five for the NY Giants.

Some of them are household-name super stars, some of them are less known but vitally successful, and some became utter disappointments.

If Gettleman has a predilection toward any side of the ball, it’s not clear from his past 10 first round picks. He’s selected five offensive and five defensive players over that time.

He also appears to look for players who can sustain longevity for the team. Of the eight players still on an NFL roster, just two now play for different teams than where they were drafted.

But before he selects the next player for NY Giants with the 11th pick of the 2021 NFL Draft, let’s review the past 10 first round picks Dave Gettleman has made as a GM.

Carolina Panthers: DT Star Lotulelei

2013 – Pick #14

Star Lotulelei was drafted 14th overall by the Carolina Panthers — headed by Dave Gettleman — in the 2013 NFL Draft.

In his five years with the Panthers, Lotulelei played in and started just about every game. He missed two games in 2014, and another two in 2015. He stared 75 of the other 76 games.

His best season is arguably his rookie year, in which he had the most tackles (42) and second most sacks (3) in his career. Lotulelei also had his career high in tackles for loss (9). He was awarded as a member of the 2013 NFL All-Rookie Team.

Lotulelei’s career-high single season sack total is four, which he recorded in 2016. That year is arguably his second most productive. He also recorded a pass deflection, a forced fumble, five tackles for loss, six quarterback hits (his career best), and 26 tackles.

Lotulelei proved to be consistent enough as a defensive tackle in his time at Carolina to garner a 5-year, $50 million contract from the Buffalo Bills in 2018. The contract was restructured in 2020 to save cap space.

Lotulelei played in and started every game in his first two seasons with the Bills, but opted out of playing during the 2020 season.

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