With one of the most significant NFL Drafts in franchise history for the New York Giants organization just a week away, Joe Schoen and the front office will be looking to make a splash as they occupy the No. 3 overall pick.
Big Blue's front office has had a productive offseason, addressing several areas in free agency, including the secondary and New York's quarterback room. Still, they have more work to do to improve the Giants' roster and prepare for the 2025 season.
The Giants' front office has had recent success in the NFL Draft, and with another big draft ahead for the G-Men, it got us thinking about the best draft picks the team has had over the last five years.
This list includes draft picks from the previous regime led by Dave Gettleman and this current regime led by Schoen. We also decided to leave off players not on the current Giants roster, such as Xavier McKinney, the 36th pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
That said, let's take a look at the best draft picks the Giants have made since 2020:
Best draft picks the Giants have made in the last 5 years
OT Andrew Thomas, 2020 Pick No. 4
It would be wrong if we didn't start this list with one of the best offensive linemen in the league with left tackle Andrew Thomas. The Giants selected Thomas with the fourth overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft out of Georgia.
Despite suffering several injuries over the last few seasons, Thomas has made the most of his opportunities with the Giants while healthy. Thomas entered the 2021 season as the team's starting left tackle and took a significant step in his development during the 2022 season, landing on the second-team All-Pro. Thomas was also named to PFF's list of 50 best NFL players before the 2024 season.
WR Malik Nabers, 2024 Pick No. 6
We saw one of the best draft picks from the Giants come onto the scene as a rookie last season in Malik Nabers. They drafted Nabers with the sixth overall pick out of LSU. The team has been looking for a WR1 since Odell Beckham Jr. left the Giants in 2018, and has clearly found the missing piece in Nabers.
Nabers had 109 receptions on 170 targets, 1,204 yards, and seven touchdowns. Nabers set the franchise record for most single-season receptions, which was previously held by Steve Smith, who had 107 in the 2009 season. He finished his rookie campaign by being named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team and earned Pro Bowl honors.
DE Kayvon Thibodeaux, 2022 Pick No. 5
Kayvon Thibodeaux has been one of the Giants' best draft picks on the defensive side of the ball in the last five years. New York selected KT fifth overall in the 2022 NFL Draft out of Oregon. Like Andrew Thomas, Thibodeaux has suffered several injuries since going pro, including last season, but he has been nothing short of impressive when healthy.
He had a stellar rookie season in 2022, being named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team. Still, Thibs broke out during the 2023 season with 50 total tackles (26 solo), 11.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and four passes defended. He was chasing the franchise record for most sacks in a single season, which was set by Michael Strahan, who had 22.5 in 2001.
WR Wan'Dale Robinson, 2022 Pick No. 43
The Giants drafted wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson with the 43rd pick of the 2022 NFL draft out of Kentucky. Big Blue has trusted Robinson in the slot receiver role, and he has improved every season he's been in the league. Robinson is coming off his best season, where he had 93 receptions on 140 targets, 699 yards, and three touchdowns.
While he may not have had the same impact as Nabers last season, Robinson had played a crucial role in the Giants' passing game. We can expect Wan'Dale to contribute again in 2025 with an improved quarterback room consisting of Russell Wilson, Jameis Winston, and Tommy DeVito.
LB Micah McFadden, 2022 Pick No. 146
One of the most underrated defensive players on the Giants over the last three seasons is linebacker Micah McFadden. The Giants drafted McFadden with the 146th pick of the 2022 NFL Draft out of Indiana. He has improved every season he's been with the Giants and is coming off an impressive 2024 campaign, where he posted 107 total tackles (60 solo), three sacks, and one forced fumble.