The New York Giants have had more than their fair share of draft misses in recent years. Players like Evan Neal, Deonte Banks, and Kadarius Toney have had disappointing NFL careers after New York took them early.
But the pain goes even deeper for Giants fans when you consider the players they could have had instead.
If Joe Schoen could travel back in time to change these three decisions, he wouldn't hesitate.
3 Giants draft misses that caused them to miss out on superstars
Deonte Banks picked ahead of Joey Porter Jr.
The 2023 NFL Draft will be remembered as having one of the best cornerback classes in recent years. Superstars like Devon Witherspoon, Christian Gonzalez, and Joey Porter Jr. headlined the group.
But instead of taking the more polished Porter Jr. in the first round, the Giants bet on the upside of Banks. Three years later, Banks is dropping down New York's depth chart, and Porter Jr. has become one of the best cornerbacks in the league.
With Porter Jr. on the roster, the Giants wouldn't have had to pay up for players like Alontae Taylor and Greg Newsome.
Evan Neal picked ahead of Charles Cross
In 2022, the Giants made Neal the second offensive tackle taken off the board, picking him two slots before the Seattle Seahawks drafted Charles Cross.
Of course, Neal is barely hanging onto a roster spot, while Cross recently signed a contract extension worth $104 million.
Assuming the Seahawks lineman could have transitioned to the right side, he would have joined Andrew Thomas to form the best offensive tackle duo in the NFL. Instead, New York is relying on 31-year-old Jermaine Eleumenor to hold down the right side.
Giants traded down for Kadarius Toney instead of picking Micah Parsons
The Giants originally held the 11th pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, but they traded it to the Chicago Bears in exchange for the 20th pick and a 2022 first-rounder (which would become Neal). They took Kadarius Toney at No. 20, while Micah Parsons came off the board one spot after their original pick.
Toney was traded away before the end of his second season. He showed flashes of talent in New York but never became the top receiver the Giants hoped he could be.
Parsons' impact goes without saying. He would have become a franchise cornerstone for New York. Instead, he terrorized them with the Dallas Cowboys for years before being shipped off to Green Bay.
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