Ranking the 10 best draft picks in NY Giants history
8. DB/DC Tom Landry
Almost everyone knows Tom Landry for his time as the Giants defensive coordinator or his 29-year-long reign as head coach of the Cowboys. However, not everyone knows that Landry was actually drafted by the Giants 184th overall in the 1947 NFL Draft.
During his time with the Giants, Landry was both a punter and defensive back. He may not have been the Giants' best player at the time, but he was still great nonetheless. Landry would lead the NFL in punt yards three times during his seven-year career while also snagging 32 interceptions. In addition to this, Landry also made one Pro Bowl and an All-Pro First-Team selection in the 1954 season.
However, just two years after his All-Pro season, Landry would retire as a player and become the Giants' defensive coordinator. Not long after this, Landry developed the infamous 4-3 defense that helped turned the Giants from fringe contenders, to NFL Champions in just one season.
Landry not only changed the course of Giants' history, but the NFL's as well. The 4-3 defense would soon be adapted by multiple teams and is still used to this day. At the time, there may not have been a better football mind than Landry himself.