With the NFL draft approaching, analysts and fans are focused on the Day 1 selections. However, some key contributors to winning teams come from the later rounds. The New York Giants are a team that has utilized some of their later round picks and turned those players into key contributors. This article defines late round pick as fifth round choice or later. Below are some of the Giants best late round selections since the start of the century.
Best New York Giants Late Round Draft Picks: 2000s
2003: David Diehl, Offensive Tackle
David Diehl was drafted in the fifth round (160th overall) of the 2003 NFL Draft. He played all over the offensive line, playing all positions besides center. The versatile player became a stalwart left tackle that anchored the offensive line for four+ seasons, including the 2007 and 2011 Super Bowl victories. He received one Pro Bowl selection in 2009 and was a second team All-Pro in 2008. His entire 11 year career was spent in New York with the Giants.
Career Statistics: Started 160 games for the New York Giants, including 120 straight to start his career.
Memorable Moment: Diehl anchored the offensive line that produced two 1,000 yard rushers in the same season. The 2008 Giants team had Brandon Jacobs and Derrick Ward eclipse 1,000 yards each.
2003: David Tyree, Wide Receiver
David Tyree was drafted in the sixth round (211th overall) of the 2003 NFL Draft. Tyree only eclipsed 200 yards once in his career, which happened during his rookie season. He was consistently the third or fourth option on the team, never becoming a solid piece to the offense. However, he was an important special teamer, which gained him a one Pro Bowl appearance and first team All-Pro in 2005.
Career Statistics: 54 receptions, 650 yards, and 4 touchdowns.
Memorable Moment: This goes without say, David Tyree is mainly known for the “Helmet Catch”. On third and five, Eli Manning evaded a sack and threw up a 32 yard pass to Tyree, who used his helmet to secure the ball from Rodney Harrison. This play would alter the landscape of the game and set up a touchdown pass from Manning to Plaxico Burress.
2004 Gibril Wilson, Safety
Gibril Wilson was drafted in the fifth round (136th overall) of the 2004 NFL Draft. He was an integral part of the 2007 defense and helped defeat the undefeated New England Patriots. Wilson led the team in sacks in 2005 and was tied for team lead in interceptions in 2007. He produced two 100+ tackle seasons for the Giants.
Career Statistics: 625 tackles. 13 interceptions, and 8.5 sacks.
Memorable Moment: He was apart of a defensive unit that killed the Patriots chance at a perfect season. The ball hawking safety had five tackles, one pass deflection, and one quarterback hit during the Giants 17-14 victory.
2007: Ahmad Bradshaw, Running Back
Ahmad Bradshaw was selected in the seventh round (250th overall) of the 2007 NFL Draft. Bradshaw became an integral part of the Giants offense for both of their Super Bowl teams. He produced two 1,000 yard rushing seasons during his time with the Giants. During his time with the Giants, he shared the workload with Brandon Jacobs and Derrick Ward, forming the trio known as “Earth, Wind, and Fire”. This running back committee proved to be dominant for a number of seasons. In his second Super Bowl victory, Bradshaw rushed 17 times for 72 yards and a touchdown.
Career Statistics: 1,083 rushing attempts, 4,928 rushing yards, and 36 touchdowns.
Memorable Moment: With the Giants on the six yard line, the Patriots defense allowed Bradshaw to score. Bradshaw realized that it may be more beneficial to run some more time off the clock and tried to kneel at the one yard line. However, his momentum carried him into the end-zone. His touchdown turned into the Super Bowl winning touchdown.
2007: Kevin Boss, Tight End
Kevin Boss was selected in the fifth round (153rd overall) of the 2007 NFL Draft. Boss proved to be a key contributor after starting tight end Jeremy Shockey broke his leg during the 2007 NFL season. He turned into a dependable target for Eli Manning during the proceeding seasons. Boss went on to have two 500+ yard and 5 touchdown seasons with the Giants before he left the team.
Career Statistics: 150 receptions, 2,033 yards, and 22 touchdowns
Memorable Moment: Kevin Boss’ most impactful play for the Giants was his 45 yard catch in Super Bowl XLII. This was a key catch that ultimately set up a Giants touchdown to take a 10-7 lead early in the fourth quarter.
2019: Darius Slayton, Wide Receiver
Darius Slayton was selected in the fifth round (171st overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft. Slayton has become a go to target for now second year quarterback Daniel Jones. During his rookie season, he amassed 740 yards on 48 receptions, while also catching eight touchdowns. He has become a dependable receiver and someone who should be apart of the Giants long term plans.
Career Statistics: 48 receptions, 740 yards, and eight touchdowns.
Memorable Moment: In his first game against Giants rivals the Philadelphia Eagles, Slayton produced a huge day. He led the team with 151 yards on five receptions and had two touchdowns.
Honorable Mention: Victor Cruz, Wide Receiver
Some may say that he was not a late round draft choice. He wasn’t, he went undrafted and signed immediately after the 2010 NFL Draft. However, he deserves to be recognized due to his impactful career with the Giants. Cruz did not contribute his rookie season, however, his second season in the league was his most dominant. Cruz had 82 receptions for 1,536 yards and nine touchdowns. He holds the Giants record for the longest touchdown in Giants history with a 99 yard touchdown reception against the New York Jets. In the 2011 NFC Championship game, he had 10 receptions for 142 yards. The Giants eventually went on to win the Super Bowl with help from Victor Cruz. He went on to have two more productive seasons before injuries derailed his career. Cruz was a Pro Bowler in 2012 and received second team All-Pro in 2011.
Career Statistics: 303 receptions, 4,549, and 25 touchdowns
Memorable Moment: When people think of Victor Cruz, most fans remember his epic performance in the preseason against the Jets. Cruz broke onto the NFL’s radar when he recorded 145 yards on six receptions with three touchdowns. Cruz’ dominant game landed him a roster spot for the season, propelling his career to heights he could’ve never imagined.
Importance of Late Round Picks
There has been a massive gap in production from late round draft choices over the years. It is evident that a lack of productive late round picks has led to the demise of a productive football team. Even if a team drafts well in the first round, there is a clear need to draft productive players during the later rounds. The best NFL teams get quality production from their late round selections. There is a clear correlation that our late round draft picks helped us during our two Super Bowl runs. Hopefully, Dave Gettleman is able to draft well in the later rounds.
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