The New York Giants, similar to 31 other teams, are compiling a list of players they are interested in taking in the 2020 NFL Draft. While we wait for the draft to commence, this is a quintessential time to highlight New York's best draft picks of all time.
For the Giants, they've had a decent amount of success over the years, winning four Super Bowls. Seeing that they've won four Super Bowls, they had some talented players that have suited up for them throughout their history.
To be a memorable draft pick, a player should have to spend a decent part of their career with New York and needs to have consistently contributed to the team's success. Provided that, here are the best draft picks in Giants history.
Tiki Barber
The running back position is beginning to evolve in today's NFL, with teams asking their running backs to be an added wrinkle in their passing game. While he wasn't a dynamic receiver, Tiki Barber more than held his own at running back for the Giants.
The Giants selected Barber with the No. 36 pick of the 1997 NFL Draft out of Virginia. In his first three seasons with New York, Barber was used sparingly in the offense. But then in 2000, Barber finally became the player that the Giants expected to get when they drafted him.
With an uncanny way of carrying the football, Barber scampered for 10,449 yards and 55 touchdowns with the Giants. His 10,449 rushing yards are good enough for the most all-time in New York's storied history.
Harry Carson
Back in the 1970s and 1980s, the Giants had a slew of talented defensive players suit up for them. At the inside linebacker position, Harry Carson was one of New York's cornerstones on defense for over a decade.
During the 1976 NFL Draft, the Giants landed upon Carson with the No. 105 pick out of South Carolina State. Even though he wasn't an early-round pick, Carson earned himself a starting job in his rookie season.
Sadly for Carson, the NFL didn't begin recording tackles or sacks for the majority of his career. Nevertheless, he was a nine-time Pro Bowler that would be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006.
Eli Manning
Yes, Eli Manning wasn't officially drafted by the Giants. However, he was traded right after being selected with the No. 1 pick in the 2004 NFL Draft. Therefore, he still fits the criteria as a draft pick for New York.
Prior to Manning's arrival in 2004, the Giants last saw success at quarterback when Phil Simms was under center. Then, with Manning, New York finally became a team that would win Super Bowls again.
Before he retired after the 2019 season, Manning contributed 57,023 yards and 366 touchdowns. Above all, he was able to secure two Super Bowl rings for the Giants. While it's a popular argument on whether or not he's a Hall of Famer, Manning will likely be inducted into Canton someday.
Michael Strahan
It's hard to argue that the Giants haven't had some of the best edge rushers to play in the NFL. Despite being known as a co-host on Good Morning America now, Michael Strahan was once a dominant pass rusher in the Big Apple.
Strahan was selected by the Giants with the No. 40 pick in the 1993 NFL Draft out of Texas Southern. The gap-toothed defensive end would spend 15 seasons with New York, amassing 141.5 sacks (sixth-most in NFL history).
Furthermore, Strahan's single-season sack record of 22.5 sacks still stands to this day. After being retired for nearly seven years, Strahan was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2014.
Lawrence Taylor
As good as Strahan was for the Giants, it's tough to put anyone ahead of Lawrence Taylor. Bill Belichick, arguably the greatest coach of all time, is adamant that Taylor was the greatest defensive player he's ever coached.
Taylor began his career with the Giants as the No. 2 pick of the 1981 NFL Draft. In his first season in the NFL, the league didn't begin tallying sacks for defensive players yet. Still, Taylor would finish his 13-year career in New York with 132.5 sacks (tied for 14th most all-time).
After securing three Defensive Player of the Year Awards and eight All-Pro nods, Taylor was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1999. There's a reason why Taylor was the last non-offensive player to win the NFL's MVP Award in 1986.
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