The New York Giants have been all over the map with their last five draft classes. Some brought in legitimate starters. Others? Swing and a miss. With another critical draft coming up in a few weeks, it’s the perfect time to stack the previous classes up and see which ones actually moved the franchise forward—and which ones set them back.
Power ranking Giants' previous five draft classes
5. 2021 draft class
- Round 1: Kadarius Toney (WR, Florida)
- Round 2: Azeez Ojulari (OLB, Georgia)
- Round 3: Aaron Robinson (DB, UCF)
- Round 4: Elerson Smith (DL, Northern Iowa)
- Round 6: Gary Brightwell (RB, Arizona), Rodarius Williams (CB, Oklahoma State)
This is a tough place to start, but here we are. Azeez Ojulari carries the class. Other than Ojulari, there's nothing really special about this class. Toney is widely considered a draft bust and a failed prospect (legal issues notwithstanding). Ojulari is now on his second team after posting 22 sacks in 46 games. The rest of the class is nothing to write home about. This would be a major 'we'd like to have this one back' class.
4. 2023 draft class
- Round 1: Deonte Banks (CB, Maryland)
- Round 2: John Michael-Schmitz (OL, Minnesota)
- Round 3: Jalin Hyatt (WR, Tennessee)
- Round 5: Eric Grey (RB, Oklahoma)
- Round 6: Trew Hawkins (CB, Old Dominion)
- Round 7: Jordan Riley (DL, Oregon), Gervarrius Owens (DB, Houston)
The 2023 class still has the potential to be something. Both Deonte Banks and John Michael-Schmitz are starters. However, the top three picks in this draft all bring a fair share of "leaves a lot to be desired." Banks' lack of effort and inconsistencies are a major stain on this class. Michael-Schmitz is borderline starting-caliber, but could be replaced relatively easily.
Since winning the Biletnikoff Award at Tennessee in 2022, Hyatt has been underwhelming. His NFL tenure has not gone according to plan, thus not impacting this class in a positive way. The 2023 draft class is really a hodgepodge of what could have beens. It set the team up terribly after making the playoffs the year before.
3. 2022 draft class
- Round 1: Kayvon Thibodeaux (DE, Oregon) Evan Neal (OT, Alabama)
- Round 2: Wan'Dale Robinson (WR, Kentucky)
- Round 3: Joshua Ezeudu (OL, UNC), Cordale Flott (CB, LSU)
- Round 4: Daniel Bellinger (TE, San Diego St.), Dane Belton (DB, Iowa)
- Round 5: Micah McFadden (LB, Indiana), D.J. Davidson (DT, Arizona State), Marcus McKethan (OL, UNC)
- Round 6: Darrien Beavers (LB, Cincinnati)
This class is tough. Kayvon Thibodeaux is more potential than production. Evan Neal is a bust... unless he moves to the interior to play guard. Wan'Dale Robinson is their starting slot receiver. Josh Edeudu and Cordale Flott are nice pieces. Daniel Bellinger is too. And Micah McFadden was a legitimate steal in the fifth round.
However, this class just lacks the top-end production to put it over the top. Not one of these players has made a Pro Bowl, let alone been named an All-Pro. Bellinger, Neal, and Ezeudu have all been passed up as starters for something better. That's tough.
2. 2020 draft class
- Round 1: Andrew Thomas (OT, Georgia)
- Round 2: Xavier McKinney (S, Alabama)
- Round 3: Matt Peart (OT, UConn)
- Round 4: Darnay Holmes (CB, UCLA)
- Round 5: Shane Lemieux (OG, Oregon)
- Round 6: Cam Brown (LB, Penn St.)
- Round 7: Carter Coughlin (LB, Minnesota), T.J. Brunson (LB, South Carolina), Chris Williamson (CB, Minnesota), Tae Crowder (LB, Georgia)
The 2020 class isn’t flashy, but it has two legitimate stars—and that’s more than most drafts produce. Andrew Thomas, when healthy, is one of the best left tackles in football. He’s dominant in both phases and transforms the entire offensive line when he’s on the field. The problem is, he hasn’t always been on the field. Multiple injuries have cost him time, and with the amount of talent the Giants have cycled through the offensive line, his availability has made all the difference.
Then there’s Xavier McKinney, who earned his first Pro Bowl and All-Pro nod in his first season with the Green Bay Packers. The back half of this class didn’t produce much, but when your first two picks are a top-tier left tackle and one of the best safeties in football, that still carries weight. Between Thomas and McKinney, this group has delivered real impact—and that’s more than you can say for the previous classes.
1. 2024 draft class
- Round 1: Malik Nabers (WR, LSU)
- Round 2: Tyler Nubin (S, Minnesota)
- Round 3: Andru Phillips (CB, Kentucky)
- Round 4: Theo Johnson (TE, Penn St.)
- Round 5: Tyrone Tracy Jr. (RB, Purdue)
- Round 6: Darius Muasau (LB, UCLA)
Surprised to see the most recent class take the top spot? You shouldn't be. Malik Nabers looks every bit like the next-best wide receiver in the league, while Tyler Nubin, Andru Phillips, and Tyrone Tracy Jr. have all shown they are reliable starters. If it weren't for a season-ending foot injury, Theo Johnson could be here as well.
That's five potential starting-caliber players, making this class the best over the past five years already. Darius Muasau deserves a mention too. He got some run late in the season last year, showing he could be a solid rotational piece, if not a starter, too. It’s rare for a class to hit on nearly every pick, but this might be one of those times. This team is clearly deserving of No. 1.