The New York Giants have the No. 6 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft after finishing at 5-11 in 2018, but they added to that first-round haul by trading wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. to the Cleveland Browns for No. 17 overall and a little extra.
With those two picks in the first round, the Giants and general manager Dave Gettleman are primed to land two high quality players; two Day 1 starters and potential franchise-changers long-term.
But how have the Giants fared at those positions throughout history? Have those picks yielded game-changing talent or letdowns? Let’s examine.
1941: George Franck, No. 6
In the 1941 NFL Draft, the Giants selected halfback/punter George Franck at No. 6 overall. He was an all-around player, who rushed the ball, played defense, punted and whatever other utilities was needed.
However, Franck’s career was relatively short, spanning just four years with Big Blue from 1941-1947 (from 1942-1944, Franck served in the Marines and was an officer at Iwo Jima).
Franck ended his Giants career with 506 yards rushing, 536 yards receiving, 2,470 yards punting, 791 yards on returns, five interceptions and eight total touchdowns.
1943: Steve Filipowicz, No. 6
In the 1943 NFL Draft, the Giants selected fullback Steve Filipowicz at No. 6 overall. However, his Big Blue career would be very short-lived. Kind of.
Filipowicz spend seven years with the New York Giants, but only two of those came with the football team.
In two seasons with the football Giants, Filipowicz rushed for 145 yards and two touchdowns, hauled in 11 receptions for 133 yards and two touchdowns, gained 66 yards on three returns and recorded four interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown.
Following the 1946 season, Filipowicz retired to take over as Mount Saint Mary’s head coach, but even that lasted only one year. He resigned the following year to continue his baseball career for, yes, the New York Giants.
1944: Billy Hillenbrand, No. 6
In the 1944 NFL Draft, the Giants selected halfback Billy Hillenbrand at No. 6 overall, but that’s where his story with Big Blue begins and ends.
Although Hillenbrand would go on to play a season in the AAFC and then two seasons in the NFL, he would never put on a Giants uniform.
After being selected in 1944, Hillenbrand would ship off to fight in World War II, ending his Giants career before it began.
1954: Ken Buck, No. 17
In the 1954 NFL Draft, the Giants selected end Ken Buck at No. 17 overall. However, the rookie out of Pacific would never play a regular season game in the NFL.
Buck’s Giants career has been reduced to a name on a chart.
1961: Bob Gaiters, No. 17
In the 1961 NFL Draft, the Giants selected halfback Bob Gaiters at No. 17 overall. He would remain with the Giants for just two seasons, but his football career would be a long one.
In his two years with the Giants, Gaithers gained 495 yards and six touchdowns on the ground, 88 yards and one touchdown through the air, 288 yards on 11 kick returns and 42 yards and two touchdowns on three passes. He also played a little defense.
After his time with the Giants, Gaithers became a journeyman, having stints with the San Francisco 49ers and Denver Broncos before playing in the CFL, ACFL and then the other CFL (Continental Football League).
1972: Eldridge Small, No. 17
In the 1972 NFL Draft, the Giants selected defensive back Eldridge Small at No. 17 overall. The pick had previously been acquired from the New England Patriots in exchange for defensive end Fred Dryer.
Small would go on to appear in 34 games for the Giants over three seasons, gaining 353 yards on 14 kick returns and one interception on defense.
In 1975, the Giants traded Small to the Cleveland Browns, but he would be released prior to the start of the season. He then went into coaching High School football.
1995: Tyrone Wheatley, 1995
In the 1995 NFL Draft, the Giants selected running back Tyrone Wheatley at No. 17 overall. He is, by far, the most well-known Giant ever to taken at No. 6 or No. 17.
Wheatley came in and was expected to be the Giants’ franchise running back, but he held out for nearly three weeks as a rookie before landing a mega deal and then immediately fell off.
The internal debate over selecting Wheatley continued to rage behind the scenes, while the running back’s on-field struggles played out for the world to see publicly.
Ultimately, Wheatley lasted just four years in New York before being traded to the Miami Dolphins. He had a cup of coffee there before being released and picked up by the Oakland Raiders.
In 46 career games with the Giants, Wheatley gained just 1,280 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground, 218 yards and two touchdowns through the air and 705 yards on 34 kick returns.
