Whenever the NY Giants have been at their best in the franchise's history, their offense has utilized the tight end position to their advantage. Toughness, grit and reliability – the greatest of Giants tight ends have possessed these traits.
Those traits fromGiants tight ends have helped win NFL Championship, Super Bowls, and pound division rivals into the ground. They weren’t always making the big play, but they made the plays when it mattered.
Utilizing a unique criteria, it's not hard to separate the names that shined throughout their time in New York, and the ones who couldn't handle the pressure. It's the former that we remember, and who have become immortal in Giants history.
Criteria for selection
The criteria for being named one of the top tight ends in the history of the Giants is an easy one to follow. Weighing a player's time period in which they played the game versus their statistical output is something that must be considered, along with how long a player wore the blue and red for over the course of his career.
Additionally, a player's individual and team accomplishments go into the selection, as well. From Super Bowl victories to Pro Bowl selections, each honor has an impact on where they were ranked. Of course, all of these had to happen with the franchise, which eliminated players like Martellus Bennett and Darren Waller.
Without further adieu, let's get down to business. Check out the list below, where you can see each of the top tight ends in Giants history, ranked No. 10 through No. 1. Some of the franchise's behemoths adorn the list.
The top 10 tight ends in NY Giants history
10. Gary Shirk
Years: 1976-1982
Statistics with NY Giants: 101 games, 130 receptions, 1,640 receiving yards, 11 touchdowns
The former Morehead State Eagle, Gary Shirk, helped the Giants offense in many ways throughout his seven seasons in New York. Shirk was reliable as could be at the tight end position, hauling in 11 touchdowns for 1,640 yards in his time with the G-Men. He helped open the door for future Giants tight ends, which was great to see.
9. Joe Walton
Years: 1961-1964
Statistics with NY Giants: 37 games, 95 receptions, 1,321 receiving yards, 17 touchdowns
He may not have been the starting tight end for long, but Joe Walton was a part of some legendary moments in Giants’ history. Remember when Larry Donnell scored three touchdowns in one game? Walton did that twice, in the same season.
At a time where passing the ball wasn’t a premium, Walton was a nightmare for opposing defenses in 1962. Famously, Walton was on the receiving end of history, catching Y.A. Tittle’s seventh touchdown in his single-game record-tying performance.
8. Evan Engram
Years: 2017-2021
Notable Accomplishments: Pro Bowl (2020)
Statistics with NY Giants: 65 games, 262 receptions, 2,828 receiving yards, 16 touchdowns
Giants fans may not picture Evan Engram with the top TEs out there, but he was a solid contributor from when he was drafted in 2017, until the day he departed New York. Injuries and mental mistakes hurt the confidence fans had in Engram after his rookie season, and he never seemed to gain it back.
Still, Engram wasn't exactly dealt the best hand while he was a member of the Giants. He had to deal with multiple coaches, quarterbacks and coordinators, and it seemed like none of them knew how to utilize his talent. Since joining the Jacksonville Jaguars, he's fared much better, and his potential seems to be through the roof.
7. Zeke Mowatt
Years: 1983-1989; 1991
Notable Accomplishments: Super Bowl XXI
Statistics with NY Giants: 108 games, 129 receptions, 1,698 receiving yards, 12 touchdowns
Zeke Mowatt has done something few tight ends in the history of the NY Giants have gotten done: caught a touchdown en route to a Super Bowl victory. Phil Simms found Mowatt for a six-yard touchdown pass to give the Giants a 7-3 lead over the Denver Broncos – a score that helped propel the team to their first ever Super Bowl title.
It would be his only catch of the game, but the impact of it was enormous. He never recreated his 1984 season, where he caught six touchdowns, but Mowatt was a key role player on some of the best teams in NY history.
6. Kevin Boss
Years: 2007-2010
Notable Accomplishments: Super Bowl XLII
Statistics with NY Giants: 58 games, 119 receptions, 1,600 receiving yards, 18 touchdowns
When you hear Kevin Boss’ name, it’s tough not to conjure up the visual of him running down the middle of the field in Super Bowl XLII. Aside from the miraculous David Tyree catch, there weren’t many big offensive plays in one of the biggest upsets in NFL history.
Boss’ 45-yard catch awoke the Giants’ offense – leading their fourth quarter barrage that gave them their third Super Bowl title. The following years of his career in New York weren’t quite as exciting, but without Boss’ play in the Super Bowl and throughout the playoffs that season, it’s likely the Giants aren’t successful in their quest.
5. Howard Cross
Years: 1989-2001
Notable Accomplishments: Super Bowl XXV
Statistics with NY Giants: 207 games, 201 receptions, 2,194 receiving yards, 17 touchdowns
In his career with the Giants, Howard Cross was a part of the highs and the lows. A Super Bowl Champion in Super Bowl XXV, and a Super Bowl loser in Super Bowl XXXV. Still, throughout his decade plus with the team, Cross became one of the staples of the Giants’ offense. He was a superb blocker, but got his hands on the ball as well, scoring 17 touchdowns throughout his career in New York.
4. Bob Tucker
Years: 1970-1977
Statistics with NY Giants: 100 games, 327 receptions, 4,376 receiving yards, 22 touchdowns
After joining the Giants in 1970, Bob Tucker quickly became a presence for the franchise. Filling the void left by the departure of Aaron Thomas, Tucker started at least 12 games over his first six seasons in the league.
He was a steady source of production for the team, having over 400 receiving yards every season. He was a light in the darkness of the depressing 1970’s for the Giants. He was the sure handed tight-end you could always rely on. He remains NY's all-time leader for receiving yards from a tight end.
3. Aaron Thomas
Years: 1962-1970
Notable Accomplishments: Pro Bowl (1964)
Statistics with NY Giants: 117 games, 247 receptions, 4,253 receiving yards, 35 touchdowns
A staple of the NY offense in the 1960’s, Thomas was a constant for a team starved for playmakers. He played in at least 10 games every single full year he was in New York – his best year coming in 1964, where he made it to the Pro Bowl.
His career high in touchdowns would come three years later, when he caught nine in 1967. He may not have seen the team success other tight ends did, but he was a force while wearing the team’s uniform.
2. Jeremy Shockey
Years: 2002-2007
Notable Accomplishments: Super Bowl XLII; Pro Bowl (2002, 2003, 2005, 2006); First-team All-Pro (2002)
Statistics with NY Giants: 83 games, 371 receptions, 4,228 receiving yards, 27 touchdowns
The unapologetic, bleach-blonde tight end who became a star in New York. After being selected in the first round of the 2002 NFL Draft, Jeremy Shockey became one of the best players on the team. The Giants eventually made him the highest paid tight end in the entire league, an honor the former Miami Hurricane certainly deserved.
While his career in New York ended with a Super Bowl ring, Shockey didn’t feel like he contributed, as he missed the playoff run with a broken fibula. While his star shined brightest in New York, Shockey finally felt he earned a Super Bowl ring in Super Bowl XLIV, where he helped his New Orleans Saints make it to the pinnacle of the football world.