Should Have The New York Giants Drafted Differently?

Below are the abbreviations for the positional players:


QB = quarterback
RB = running back
FB = full back
WR = wide receiver
TE = tight end

C = center
OT = offensive tackle
OG = offensive guard

DT = defensive tackle
DE = defensive end

LB = line backer

CB = corner back
S = safety
SS = strong safety
FS = free safety

P = punter
PK = place kicker
KR = kick returner

In the 2003 NFL Draft, the New York Giants selected William Joseph (DT) with the 25th overall pick. He certainly was not the impact player the Giants thought he was and in 2008, signed with the Oakland Raiders. The Giants could have taken a more valuable guy like Nnamdi Asomugha (CB), Ken Hamlin (S), Anquan Boldin (WR) or Rashean Mathis (CB).

In round 2, the Giants selected Osi Umenyiora (DE) and really could not have picked a better guy. Osi was a steal at this position in the draft. He recorded six sacks in a game against the Philadelphia Eagles in 2007.

Visanthe Shiancoe (TE) was drafted in the 3rd round. Shiancoe was really just a backup tight end with New York. Beginning in 2007, he played for the Minnesota Vikings. He has started to develop into a quality tight end with the Vikings, but the Giants should have drafted a starter like Asante Samuel (CB) or Terrence McGee (CB).

In the 4th round, the Giants selected Roderick Babers (CB). This was a terrible pick because he did not even finish his rookie season with the Giants. The team should have drafted Robert Mathis (DE), Cato June (LB) or Dan Koppen (C).

David Diehl (OT) was drafted in the 5th round and was a really good pick. Diehl has been a staple on one of the best offensive lines in the NFL. He has helped Eli Manning with protection from defenders.

In round 6, the Giants had three picks and none of them were that good: Willie Ponder (WR), Frank Walker (CB) and David Tyree (WR). Tyree is the biggest name here because of The Helmet Catch he made during Super Bowl XLII.

Instead of the three aforementioned players, the Giants should have drafted three better guys that were surprisingly undrafted: Tony Romo (QB), Antonio Gates (TE) and Kris Dielman (OG).


Summary Of Players The New York Giants Should Have Acquired In 2003

Nnamdi Asomugha
Asante Samuel
Cato June
Tony Romo
Antonio Gates
Kris Dielman

The New York Giants had the 4th overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft, which they used to draft Philip Rivers (QB). They then traded Rivers to the San Diego Chargers to obtain Eli Manning (QB) who did not want to play for the Chargers. Manning is a Pro Bowler and a Super Bowl MVP. The Manning trade as worked out quite well for the Giants.

In round 2, the Giants drafted Chris Snee (OT). Like David Diehl drafted the year before, Snee is an important piece of the strong offensive line for the New York Giants. Snee was a good pick.

The Giants selected Reggie Torbor (DE) in round 4. Torbor was not a terrific pick, especially when talents like Jared Allen (DE) and Nathan Vasher (CB) were still available. In the 5th round, the Giants picked Gibril Wilson (S) who is a solid player, but a better pick here would have been Michael Turner (RB).

The Giants actually did well in the 2004 NFL Draft picking up two key players for their offense.


Summary Of Players The New York Giants Should Have Acquired In 2004

Jared Allen
Michael Turner

The New York Giants did not have a 1st round draft pick in the 2005 NFL Draft because that pick was traded to the San Diego Chargers for the Eli Manning trade. The Chargers selected Shawne Merriman (LB) with the Giants' former draft pick.

Corey Webster (CB) was drafted by the Giants in round 2. Webster is a good player, but better talents were still available like Lofa Tatupu (LB) and Frank Gore (RB). The Giants picked a winner in the 3rd round when they selected Justin Tuck (DE). Tuck has taken over for the retired Michael Strahan and has played quite well so far.

In round 4, the Giants drafted the huge, bruising back Brandon Jacobs (RB). He is a unique talent because of his size and speed (6' 4" and 265 pounds). Again, this is a nice pick if he can stay healthy.

With the Giants last pick in the 2005 NFL Draft, the Giants selected Eric Moore (DE) and it was not a good pick. He was only with the team for one year. The Giants should have used this last draft pick on one of a few NFL stars that went undrafted. Joshua Cribbs (KR), Robbie Gould (PK) and Atari Bigby (S) were free agents after the draft ended. The Giants failed to draft or sign any of these players as free agents. They did however sign one future NFL star in Ryan Grant (RB), but he was later traded to the Green Bay Packers in 2007.


Summary Of Players The New York Giants Should Have Acquired In 2005

Lofa Tatupu
Joshua Cribbs
Robbie Gould
Atari Bigby

1. Eli Manning
2. Brandon Jacobs
3. New York Giants defense
4. Plaxico Burress
5. Derrick Ward

In the 2006 NFL Draft, the New York Giants selected Mathias Kiwanuka (LB) with the 32nd pick overall. Kiwanuka is a talented player and time will tell if he develops into an elite player. The Giants could have drafted DeMeco Ryans (LB) who is already a Pro Bowl-caliber talent. Kiwanuka has a chance with New York to be an impact player though.

Twelve picks later in the 2nd round, the Giants drafted Sinorice Moss (WR) who is the younger brother of Santana Moss of the Washington Redskins. Sinorice has been hampered with injuries and has not played in many games. So far he is a bust and a better draft selection here would have been Greg Jennings (WR), Maurice Jones-Drew (RB), Tony Scheffler (TE), Devin Hester (KR) or Marcus McNeill (OT).

In round 3, the Giants selected Gerris Wilkinson (LB) and so far has not made a name for himself. The Giants should have drafted Brandon Marshall (WR) or Owen Daniels (TE).

The Giants had two 4th round picks: Barry Cofield (DT) and Guy Whimper (OT). Neither guy so far is a huge impact player and the Giants could have gone with better picks here with Antoine Bethea (FS), Omar Gaither (LB) or Marques Colston (WR).


Summary Of Players The New York Giants Should Have Acquired In 2006

Greg Jennings
Owen Daniels
Omar Gaither
Marques Colston

The New York Giants have actually drafted really well during 2003-2006. If they just changed a few picks, the Giants perhaps could have won more games (and perhaps made another Super Bowl appearance). Below is the team the New York Giants could have drafted and these selections are based on team needs and draft locations in each NFL Draft between 2003 and 2006.

Eli Manning (QB) via trade
Tony Romo (QB)

Brandon Jacobs (RB)
Ryan Grant (RB)
Michael Turner (RB)

Greg Jennings (WR)
Brandon Marshall (WR)

Antonio Gates (TE)

David Diehl (OT)
Chris Snee (OT)
Kris Dielman (OG)

Osi Umenyiora (DE)
Justin Tuck (DE)
Robert Mathis (DE)

Lofa Tatupu (LB)
Omar Gaither (LB)
Mathias Kiwanuka (LB)

Nnamdi Asomugha (CB)
Asante Samuel (CB)
Nathan Vasher (CB)
Atari Bigby (S)
Antoine Bethea (FS)

Joshua Cribbs (KR)
Robbie Gould (PK)