The New York Giants are one of the few NFL franchises whose history stretches all the way back to 1936, and yet, their first-round NFL Draft picks record is relatively light. Here’s a look at how the Giants have fared over almost a century of Round 1 opportunities and which direction they’re tracking in the modern era.
New York Giants First-Round Draft Picks Throughout History
Despite being around since 1936, the Giants have only seen three first-round picks go on to join the Hall of Fame ranks. To their credit, one of those players — 1981 first-round pick Lawrence Taylor — is one of the few defensive players ever to win league MVP and is viewed as one of the greatest defenders of all time.
In the modern era, the Giants’ showing in Round 1 of the 2004 NFL Draft proved most consequential for their future. Technically, Philip Rivers was New York’s selection at QB, but they swapped Rivers for Chargers’ pick Eli Manning. Though Manning was a polarizing player throughout his career, he helped the Giants win two Super Bowls — both against Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.
2024
- Malik Nabers | Pick 6
WR, LSU
2023
- Deonte Banks | Pick 24
CB, Maryland
2022
- Kayvon Thibodeaux | Pick 5
EDGE, Oregon - Evan Neal | Pick 7
OT, Alabama
2021
- Kadarius Toney | Pick 20
WR, Florida
2020
- Andrew Thomas | Pick 4
OT, Georgia
2019
- Daniel Jones | Pick 6
QB, Duke - Dexter Lawrence | Pick 17
DT, Clemson - Deandre Baker | Pick 30
CB, Georgia
2018
- Saquon Barkley | Pick 2
RB, Penn State
2017
- Evan Engram | Pick 23
TE, Mississippi
2016
- Eli Apple | Pick 10
CB, Ohio State
2015
- Ereck Flowers | Pick 9
OL, Miami (FL)
2014
- Odell Beckham Jr. | Pick 12
WR, LSU
2013
- Justin Pugh | Pick 19
OL, Syracuse
2012
- David Wilson | Pick 32
RB, Virginia Tech
2011
- Prince Amukamara | Pick 19
DB, Nebraska
2010
- Jason Pierre-Paul | Pick 15
DE, South Florida
2009
- Hakeem Nicks | Pick 29
WR, North Carolina
2008
- Kenny Phillips | Pick 31
DB, Miami (FL)
2007
- Aaron Ross | Pick 20
DB, Texas
2006
- Mathias Kiwanuka | Pick 32
DE, Boston College
2005
The Giants traded the 12th pick to the San Diego Chargers.
2004
- Philip Rivers | Pick 4
QB, North Carolina State
Rivers was traded to the San Diego Chargers as part of the trade for Eli Manning.
2003
- William Joseph | Pick 25
DT, Miami (FL)
2002
- Jeremy Shockey | Pick 14
TE, Miami (FL)
2001
- Will Allen | Pick 22
DB, Syracuse
2000
- Ron Dayne | Pick 11
RB, Wisconsin
1999
- Luke Petitgout | Pick 19
OT, Notre Dame
1998
- Shaun Williams | Pick 24
DB, UCLA
1997
- Ike Hilliard | Pick 7
WR, Florida
1996
- Cedric Jones | Pick 5
DE, Oklahoma
1995
- Tyrone Wheatley | Pick 17
RB, Michigan
1994
- Thomas Lewis | Pick 24
WR, Indiana
1993
The Giants forfeited the 13th pick after selecting Dave Brown in the 1992 Supplemental Draft.
1992
- Derek Brown | Pick 14
TE, Notre Dame
1991
- Jarrod Bunch | Pick 27
FB, Michigan
1990
- Rodney Hampton | Pick 24
RB, Georgia
1989
- Brian Williams | Pick 18
C, Minnesota
1988
- Eric Moore | Pick 10
G, Indiana
1987
- Mark Ingram | Pick 28
WR, Michigan State
1986
- Eric Dorsey | Pick 19
DE, Notre Dame
1985
- George Adams | Pick 19
RB, Kentucky
1984
- Carl Banks | Pick 3
LB, Michigan State - William Roberts | Pick 27
G, Ohio State
1983
- Terry Kinard | Pick 10
DB, Clemson
1982
- Butch Woolfolk | Pick 18
RB, Michigan
1981
- Lawrence Taylor* | Pick 2
LB, North Carolina
1980
- Mark Haynes | Pick 8
DB, Colorado
1979
- Phil Simms | Pick 7
QB, Morehead State
1978
- Gordon King | Pick 10
OT, Stanford
1977
- Gary Jeter | Pick 5
DE, USC
1976
- Troy Archer | Pick 13
DT, Colorado
1975
The Giants traded the second pick to the Dallas Cowboys.
1974
- John Hicks | Pick 3
G, Ohio State
1973
The Giants traded the 16th pick to the Cleveland Browns.
1972
- Eldridge Small | Pick 17
DB, Texas A&M-Kingsville
1972
- Larry Jacobson | Pick 24
DT, Nebraska
1971
- Rocky Thompson | Pick 18
RB, West Texas A&M
1970
- Jim Files | Pick 13
LB, Oklahoma
1969
- Fred Dryer | Pick 13
DE, San Diego State
1968
The Giants traded the first pick to the Minnesota Vikings in the trade for Fran Tarkenton.
1967
The Giants traded the second pick to the Vikings as part of the Tarkenton trade.
1966
- Francis Peay | Pick 10
OT, Missouri
1965
- Tucker Frederickson | Pick 1
RB, Auburn
1964
- Joe Don Looney | Pick 12
HB, Oklahoma
1963
The Giants traded the 13th pick to the St. Louis Cardinals.
1962
- Jerry Hillebrand | Pick 13
LB, Colorado
1961
The Giants traded the 11th pick to the Baltimore Colts.
1960
- Lou Cordileone | Pick 12
DT, Clemson
1959
- Lee Grosscup | Pick 10
QB, Utah
1958
- Phil King | Pick 12
HB, Vanderbilt
1957
The Giants traded the 11th pick to the Los Angeles Rams.
1956
The Giants traded the sixth pick to the Los Angeles Rams.
1955
- Joe Heap | Pick 8
HB, Notre Dame
1954
The Giants traded the fourth pick to the Green Bay Packers.
1953
- Bobby Marlow | Pick 8
B, Alabama
1952
- Frank Gifford* | Pick 11
HB, USC
1951
- Kyle Rote | Pick 1
E, SMU - Jim Spavital | Pick 13
B, Oklahoma State
1950
- Travis Tidwell | Pick 7
QB, Auburn
1949
- Paul Page | Pick 4
HB, SMU
1948
- Skippy Minisi | Pick 2
HB, Pennsylvania
1947
- Vic Schwall | Pick 10
HB, Northwestern
1946
- George Connor* | Pick 5
OT, Notre Dame
1945
- Elmer Barbour | Pick 10
BB, Wake Forest
1944
- Billy Hillenbrand | Pick 6
HB, Indiana
1943
- Steve Filipowicz | Pick 6
FB, Fordham
1942
- Merle Hapes | Pick 8
FB, Mississippi
1941
- George Franck | Pick 6
HB, Minnesota
1940
- Grenny Lansdell | Pick 10
HB, USC
1939
- Walt Nielsen | Pick 10
FB, Arizona
1938
- George Karamatic | Pick 8
FB, Gonzaga
1937
- Ed Widseth | Pick 4
OT, Minnesota
1936
- Art Lewis | Pick 9
OT, Ohio
*Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame