It’s no secret that when it comes to the NY Giants, for many decades now they’ve been defined by a heavy focus on defensive draft picks. When one looks at who should be considered their best draft picks in franchise history, you’ll see a common theme that defense is at the core of some of their greatest players to ever play the game.
So much so, that it makes that famous mantra of “defense wins championships” oh so very true. Now, it should be known that when it comes to picking the top 15 draft picks in franchise history, it’s all subjective with a few names that will forever be etched in this category.
It all depends on who you grew up watching, what the record books hold, and who had the most impact during their time with Big Blue. Whether they won a plethora of football games, made a bunch of Pro Bowls, or helped do their part to win a Super Bowl championship, these top draft picks have left their mark on the city that never sleeps.
Without further ado, here’s a list of the top 15 draft picks in Giants history ranging from speedy wide receivers, tough-as-nails linebackers, and quarterbacks who led the way towards greatness. These football players that were drafted by the Giants will always give fans many fond memories for providing some of the best football memories ever.
NY Giants: 15. Wide Receiver Odell Beckham Jr.
I know, I know. The Giants may have never won a Super Bowl with wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. on the team but there is no denying the impact he had during his tenure with the franchise. Drafted by the Giants in the 2014 NFL Draft, Beckham immediately became a household name thanks to everything he brought to the table.
Beckham infused the Giants’ offense with speed, premium route-running, and gave fans arguably one of the greatest moments in franchise history with his legendary one-handed catch against the Dallas Cowboys on primetime football. It was such a sensational catch that the football world couldn’t believe it as that moment went viral on every social media network in the world.
Needless to say, whether you love him or hate him, OBJ will forever be remembered for many things in his career and it all started with this catch. Thankfully, it was in a Giants uniform and against their NFC East rival Cowboys, something we can always remind “America’s Team” about until the end of time.
For the five years he spent in the big apple, Beckham Jr. made the Pro Bowl three straight times all starting in his rookie season. He put up big numbers and was always a threat on offense every single time he stepped foot on the field. It’s a shame he couldn’t start and end his career with the Giants but he provided Big Blue with many incredible moments on the gridiron.
NY Giants: 14. Linebacker Harry Carson
When you spend 13 years with a franchise, win two Super Bowl championships, nine Pro Bowls, and were remembered for being a human tackling machine, you will undoubtedly be one of the best to ever do it. Such is the case with linebacker Harry Carson and how he put Big Blue on the map from 1976 all the way until 1988.
The 6-2 and 237 lbs linebacker truly made a name for himself for his sheer speed, hitting abilities, and the fact that he was one of the best at disrupting opposing offenses with precision. He spent his entire career with the Giants and made everyone else around him on defense shine.
Believe it or not, Carson was drafted by the Giants in Round 4 of the 1976 NFL Draft as it goes to show that it doesn’t matter what round you get drafted in but what you make of the golden opportunity presented in front of you. Carson took this golden opportunity and turned it into a Pro Football Hall of Fame career.
In his 13 seasons with the Giants, Carson totaled 14 fumble recoveries, 19 sacks, 11 interceptions, and had many opponents remember him for how hard he hit in the heat of the moment. Make no mistake about it, Carson will go down in franchise history as one of the best draft picks ever made by the Giants.
NY Giants: 13. Defensive Back/Coordinator Tom Landry
Before he became one of the greatest head coaches ever to do it on the Cowboys, Tom Landry was actually a member of the Giants. Oh yes, it was back in the 1947 NFL Draft that the Giants selected him as a defensive back due to his high football IQ for that side of the football.
Landry not only played defensive back for the Giants back then but would later become part of their coaching staff as a defensive coordinator once his playing days were over. It was back in 1954 that Landry created the popular 4-3 defense on the Giants and well, the rest made it into the record books.
At the time, this was revolutionary due to how it featured four defensive linemen and three new positions to roam the field at middle, left, and right linebacker. Throughout the years and well, decades later, the most success the Giants have had was when they deployed a variation of the 4-3 defense with its roots deep into the rich history of Landry’s incredible defensive mind.
One can only imagine what would have happened if Landry never devised this staple defense back in the day when he was a defensive coordinator for the Giants. Sure, he might have perfected it when he eventually went on to be a head coach for the Cowboys but he got such an opportunity thanks to what he built and mastered on the Giants beforehand.
NY Giants: 12. Linebacker Sam Huff
Speaking of Landry, one of the main reasons he devised this 4-3 defense was thanks to linebacker Sam Huff. Not only did this feature Huff to do what he does best at middle linebacker but he easily revolutionized the position. Drafted in the 1956 NFL Draft by the Giants, during his tenure with the team from 1956-1963, opposing running backs simply couldn’t get past Huff in any way, shape, or form.
At 6-1 and 230 lbs, Huff was truly a force to reckon with because, at the time, no other middle linebacker had his speed, keen defensive abilities, and just a knack for taking down anyone holding the football. Combined with Landry’s ability to make opposing offenses fall right into his defensive 4-3 traps due to the unique positioning of Huff in the middle of the field, it was simply magic on the gridiron.
Huff did his part and helped the Giants win the 1956 NFL Championship Game over the Chicago Bears due to all this. The Giants made a statement to the football world and literally steamrolled the Bears with the final score being 47-7. The Bears’ offense couldn’t do much of anything scoring-wise due to the Giants’ stout defense led by Huff and company.
In the grand scheme of things, Huff will always be remembered for being the first middle linebacker that played elite from start to finish in every game he was a part of. Huff entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame back in 1982 and is considered to be the first true middle linebacker to thrive in the position at its inception.
NY Giants: 11. Cornerback Mark Haynes
Sometimes all you need is that one defensive player that can turn the tides in a rather long drought of not getting a shot at the pure joy of playing in the NFL Playoffs. This is pretty much what happened with cornerback Mark Haynes and his six-year tenure with the Giants.
Selected in Round 1 of the 1980 NFL Draft, Haynes enjoyed doing his best as a premier cornerback to try and end an 18-year drought of the Giants making the postseason. It only took a season of Haynes bringing that aggression and tenacity to the Giants’ defense that this drought finally ended in 1981.
He was a three-time Pro Bowler and known for having a knack at tipping passes and of course, intercepting them. With the Giants, Haynes totaled 13 interceptions and only missed eight games as he was always doing whatever it took to get the Giants to leave a football game victorious.
It’s a shame Haynes couldn’t have stayed just one more season as when he left to join the Denver Broncos in 1985, the Giants ended up going all the way in 1986 to win a Super Bowl championship. It would have been quite the story had he ended their drought and won a Super Bowl during his tenure but at least he helped get them back into the postseason spotlight for all the right reasons. It easily set the foundation for what would be an eventual Super Bowl run.
NY Giants: 10. Running Back Frank Gifford
When the Giants selected running back Frank Gifford back in the 1952 NFL Draft, they weren’t getting just a running back. They were literally getting a Swiss Army knife of a football player that would be great in any role on the roster.
Gifford could run the football effectively, throw the football with accuracy, catch receptions with purpose, and yes, he even played defense. Of course, that wouldn’t work in today’s NFL but back in the 50s, Gifford was just one of those rare football players that simply was ahead of everyone else with his pure athleticism to do anything that was asked of him whether it was on offense, defense, or special teams.
With his entire 12-year career with the Giants, Gifford will easily go down as one of the top draft picks in franchise history. As a running back, he totaled 3,609 rushing yards and 34 touchdowns. As a receiving option, he totaled 5,434 receiving yards and 43 touchdowns. As a defender, he loved to hit hard and cause fumbles, totaling 48 and recovering 17 of them.
Besides everything he achieved on Big Blue as a future Pro Football Hall of Fame player, Gifford went on to have an amazing broadcasting career as his voice is up there with other broadcasting legends such as John Madden and Pat Summerall. It’s amazing to see how much of his life was dedicated to the Giants and the world of pro football as a whole.
NY Giants: 9. Linebacker Carl Banks
Continuing in the tradition of the Giants being known for having some of the best linebackers to ever play the game, Carl Banks was truly a beast of a defender in the positional group. In Round 1 of the 1984 NFL Draft, it was a no-brainer for the Giants to select Banks.
At 6-4 and 235 lbs, Banks quickly went to work as a top outside linebacker ready to wreak havoc against opposing offenses. He was excellent as a pass rusher, totaling 36 sacks with the Giants and 627 tackles. The Giants knew when they drafted him they were indeed getting a special player.
It was these kinds of incredible numbers that helped catapult the Giants into the NFL history books. Banks was a huge part of both Super Bowl-winning championship teams back in 1986 and 1990, respectively. All Banks knew was going after quarterbacks and making the Giants’ defense during the mid-80s and early 90s something opposing offenses absolutely feared to go up against.
It’s crazy to think after such huge numbers and two Super Bowl championships to his credit, at the time of this writing, Banks has yet to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Hopefully, he gets in sooner rather than later because he was an instrumental part in both championship runs of Big Blue.
NY Giants: 8. Defensive End Mathias Kiwanuka
Speaking of another two-time Super Bowl champion, Giants fans will always smile ear to ear whenever they hear the name Mathias Kiwanuka. He was a dual-threat defensive player that excelled either lining up as a defensive end or roaming as a linebacker. Kiwanuka’s speed and defensive abilities truly separated him from the rest during his eight-year career with the Giants.
Just like Banks, Kiwanuka joins him for also winning two Super Bowl championships with Big Blue back in 2007 and 2011. Kiwanuka totaled 412 tackles, 38.5 sacks, 13 forced fumbles, and three interceptions. Not bad for a first-round draft pick back in the 2006 NFL Draft that wanted to prove he could do it all for the Giants during a time they needed it to get back to their championship-winning ways.
Opposing offenses had to account for Kiwanuka since he was so versatile in either pass rushing or coverage that it opened things up for his fellow defenders to shine. He was a selfless player and simply let it be known that he would do anything for his team, his teammates, and Giants fans all across the globe.
Kiwanuka joins a list of other key defensive players that set the tone for the Giants that made them accomplish so much during the 00s and early 10s. It was quite the time to be a Giants fan as when they won both those Super Bowls during those eras, you could hear New Yorkers clapping, screaming, and honking their horns all across the city that never sleeps deep into the night.
NY Giants: 7. Defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul
For eight seasons on the Giants, defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul called the franchise home. As a first-round pick back in the 2010 NFL Draft, the famous JPP made a name for himself as one of the best sack specialists in all of the NFL.
Not only did his ability to sack quarterbacks at will help the Giants win a lot of football games throughout his tenure, but it was also in his sophomore season that everything came together towards greatness. He was also a part of that legendary 2011 championship squad with Kiwanuka that helped bring that Vince Lombardi Trophy home.
JPP totaled 432 tackles, a whopping 58.5 sacks, and 13 forced fumbles with the Giants. Believe it or not, JPP is still playing to this very day as he recently won a Super Bowl championship with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He went from pressuring and sacking Tom Brady to joining forces with him in 2021 to win it all again.
There is no doubt that JPP will eventually find himself wearing a gold jacket and celebrating his prolific career in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Hopefully, it’ll be as a member of the Giants where it all began.
NY Giants: 6. Running Back Dave Meggett
Blazing speed. Breaking tackles at will. Natural born playmaker. These are just some of the terms to describe running back and special teams legend Dave Meggett. Selected in Round 5 of the 1989 NFL Draft, Meggett was such a legendary special teams player that he was a huge strategy for their Super Bowl championship run in 1990.
In just six years with the Giants, Meggett put up some seriously impressive numbers as a kickoff and punt returner. In total, he achieved 2,989 kickoff return yards and one touchdown while achieving 2,230 punt return yards and six touchdowns.
This is all on top of everything he did as a running back and receiving option on offense. He combined for 3,422 yards from scrimmage and 19 rushing/receiving touchdowns. The truth of the matter is that Meggett was amazing whenever he had the football in his hands.
All Meggett knew was to make play after play and keep opposing defenses guessing as to what was coming next. Whether he was rushing the football, making a big catch, or being an elite kickoff/punt returner, Meggett was a natural-born playmaker for the ages.
NY Giants: 5. Tight End Mark Bavaro
When his number was called on offense, there was nothing tight end Mark Bavaro couldn’t do. At 6-4 and 245 lbs, he was quite the sight to see because he was big, fast, and powerful against any defender standing in his way. Bavaro joins the club of other Giants that won not one but two Super Bowl championships back in 1986 and 1990, respectively.
As a fourth-round pick in the 1985 NFL Draft, Bavaro is the true definition of a hidden gem in the rough. Not even in their wildest dreams did coaches or fans think Bavaro would come in and take care of business immediately upon arrival.
In his six seasons with Big Blue, Bavaro totaled 3,722 receiving yards, 266 receptions, and 28 touchdowns. His surreal 14.0 yards per reception came at a perfect time to keep the Giants’ offense clicking on all cylinders.
Bavaro is not only one of the best tight ends to ever play the game but easily one of the greatest Giants to ever do it in the positional group. He did everything that was asked of him and then some to achieve some of the greatest success any football player can only dream of in the sports media capital of the world.
NY Giants: 4. Quarterback Phil Simms
As we’re getting to the final four of the top 15 draft picks in Giants history, there’s a famous quote for players in this franchise that played their entire career with Big Blue. I’m sure you’ve heard it, “Once a Giant, Always a Giant” as of course, I kept the final four specifically for the four legendary players that were drafted by the Giants and played their entire careers here.
Quarterback Phil Simms spent 14 years with the Giants and was the face of the franchise that led the franchise to a ton of playoff appearances and two Super Bowl championships. Simms was a first-round pick back in the 1979 NFL Draft and at the time, was considered one of the best college quarterbacks in the country.
Simms absolutely thrived with the Giants and was so much fun to watch doing what he did best. He totaled 33,462 passing yards, a 55.4 completion percentage, 199 touchdowns, and 157 interceptions. Simms put up many winning seasons for the Giants and won it all back in 1986 and 1990 when everything came together.
It’s crazy to think after all Simms accomplished on the Giants, he’s still not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Hopefully, he gets in one of these days, maybe even with Banks at the same time to give these amazing football players the respect they deserve.
NY Giants: 3. Defensive End Michael Strahan
Just like Simms, defensive end Michael Strahan also enjoyed 14 years with the Giants as he was truly one of the best to ever do it. As a second-round pick in the 1993 NFL Draft, at the time, NFL critics and pundits all didn’t think Strahan had what it took to make it and thrive in the pros.
At 6-5 and 255 lbs, Strahan silenced all the naysayers with his elite play at defensive end and having a knack for taking down opposing quarterbacks. When his team needed it most in 2007, Strahan delivered in the most important game of the season, Super Bowl XLII, by rallying his defense to not give up in one of those most thrilling championship games ever.
The Giants defeated the New England Patriots 17-14 where Brady and company were on their way to the NFL history books with a perfect season on the line. Strahan had some key defensive stops and even sacked Brady to help give the Giants that shot they needed to do the unthinkable.
Not only did the Giants win it all but Strahan retired to drive into the sunset as a champion after he decided to put his 14-year career in the books. Strahan made it into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and is quite the popular face on TV, NFL pregame/postgame shows, and more. He’s been staying very busy after his playing days were over and continues to speak highly of his time on Giants to this very day.
NY Giants: 2. Quarterback Eli Manning
Could you imagine what would have happened had quarterback Eli Manning been stuck going to a team he refused to play for? That’s what happened back in the 2004 NFL Draft. It was quite the controversy at the time as the Los Angeles Chargers selected Manning and the Giants took the next best quarterback off the board, Philip Rivers.
A trade happened as Manning wanted to play for New York at any cost and the Giants thankfully, made it happen. The result? One of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game and another player that spent his entire 15-year career with the Giants.
Manning would take and win two Super Bowls with the Giants back in 2007 and 2011. It’s crazy to think what could have happened if Rivers did indeed end up playing for the Giants instead. Would he have had the same success as Manning did?
Who knows but at the end of the day, it will easily go down as one of the greatest trades in Giants’ history for bringing a Super Bowl-winning quarterback to the franchise and hopefully, a future Pro Football Hall of Famer. Manning was everything the Giants could ask for and then some and will forever be cherished by Giants fans for a job well done under center.
NY Giants: 1. Linebacker Lawrence Taylor
Ladies and gentlemen, the No. 1 top draft pick of all-time by the Giants is none other than the man, the myth, the legend himself, linebacker Lawrence Taylor. In the grand scheme of things, Taylor is easily the kind of linebacker the NFL will likely never see again because of how elite he was.
Selected in Round 1 of the 1981 NFL Draft, Taylor spent his entire 12-year career with the Giants and every play, sack, tackle, and soundbite is still remembered to this very day. He totaled a surreal 142 sacks and only missed four games in his entire playing career. That’s right, he started in 180 games out of 184 over that entire span.
Since Taylor was a phenom at the position, he went to 10 Pro Bowls as his initials of LT will forever be a part of Giants’ and football history. He was so impressive to watch on game day that he was a constant feature on every sports highlight show each and every week. He was vocal on the field, a leader in every aspect you can think of, and won two Super Bowls during his tenure in 1986 and 1990.
Once Taylor officially retired in 1993, the NFL has yet to see a linebacker with his high level of intensity, productivity, and just sheer brute force at doing whatever it took to take down quarterbacks. He would plow through huge offensive linemen as if they were nothing on a daily basis. It’s been decades since the football world has seen a player as legendary as Taylor and well, it’s great to know that every single time any football fan thinks of one of the greatest players ever, one of the greatest linebackers ever, and one of the greatest defenders ever, they’ll only be able to think about #56 doing it in a Giants uniform.