Many critics have been high on the New York Giants’ drafts since Dave Gettleman took over the team as general manager in late 2017. They have been systematically restocking their roster with young talent and have added a few stars in the process.
But how does it stack up against the team’s recent draft performances? What was the Giants best draft class of the past 20 years?
Bryan DeArdo of CBS Sports believes the 2004 class, the one which the Giants selected Philip Rivers fourth overall and then shipped him and three draft picks to San Diego in exchange for Eli Manning, was that class.
The Giants spent the No. 1 overall pick on longtime star quarterback Philip Rivers, only to trade him to the Chargers in exchange for Eli Manning, who went on to set just about every Giants passing record while also leading Big Blue to two Super Bowl wins over Bill Belichick’s Patriots.
New York spent their second-round pick on guard Chris Snee, who enjoyed a 10-year career with the Giants that included four Pro Bowl selections and an All-Pro nod in 2008. Defensive back Gibril Wilson played a significant role on the Giants’ 2007 championship team, recording 92 tackles and four interceptions during the regular season. Running back Derrick Ward rushed for a career-high 1,025 yards in 2008 while averaging a league-best 5.6 yards per carry, a banner season for a former seventh-round pick.
The trade for Manning alone makes this draft special. Manning went on to play 16 seasons for the Giants, leading them to two Super Bowl championships, broke and/or set just about every franchise passing record while not missing a game to injury. His 236 games player are the most by player in Big Blue’s 95-year history.
In Round 2, they grabbed Chris Snee, another Ring of Honoree and a staple on the offensive line for a decade. They also snared Reggie Torbor, Gibril Wilson and Derrick Ward in this draft.
My pick would have been the next season, 2005, when they only had four picks. They drafted Corey Webster in Round 2, Justin Tuck in Round 3 and Brandon Jacobs in Round 4. Wow.
