Giants' draft history: The best 5th-round pick

by Ed Valentine on Mar 23, 2009 7:00 AM EDT in New York Giants News

Today we move on to the fifth round in our round-by-round look at New York Giants' drafts since 1970.

Looking through the fifth-round selections, there are only two players who deserve consideration as the best fifth-round pick of the era we have been discussing. Current left tackle David Diehl, and former running back/kick returner extraordinaire Dave Meggett.

Current tight end Kevin Boss was a fifth-round pick in 2007, and may end up being the best of the bunch. He has not done enough yet to be given consideration here, however.

Let's examine the case for Meggett and Diehl.

Dave Meggett (RB/KR, 1989)

Meggett is, in my opinion, the best kick returner the Giants have ever had. In six seasons with the Giants he returned six punts and one kickoff for touchdowns. The 5-foot-7, 190-pound Meggett also spent three years with England and one with the Jets. Meggett was also a valuable third-down back, catching 32 or more passes in each of his seasons as a Giant.

From Wikipedia, here are Meggett's career totals.

In his ten NFL seasons, Meggett amassed 1,648 rushing yards, 336 receptions for 3,083 yards, 3,708 punt return yards, and 5,566 yards returning kickoffs. In total, Meggett gained 14,005 all-purpose yards and scored 29 touchdowns (eight rushing, 11 receiving, seven punt returns, one kickoff return). He also completed four of eight passes for 114 yards and four touchdowns.

David Diehl (OL, 2003)

Diehl has started at every position on the offensive line with the exception of center during his Giants' career. He is, probably, a Pro Bowl caliber guard but has shown the versatility and willingness to play well at both tackle slots as well.

The fact that Diehl has made a successful transition to the all-important left tackle slot answered the only question left on the Giants' current offensive line, and helped it become a group widely regarded as the best in the league.

To me Diehl is a great example of why you should always look for big, versatile athletic offensive linemen in the middle rounds of the draft. You always need depth, and you never know which one of those diamonds in the rough will become a real stud.

Vote for which player you think is the best fifth-round pick in the poll below.

Poll

Who is the best fifth-round pick by the Giants since 1970?

David Diehl

289 votes

Dave Meggett

233 votes

522 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 15 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Loved Meggett,

but had to vote Diehl. So versatileand hard working, an All-Pro type guard working at LOT, the second most important offensive position . Doing a good job, too (contrary to the expressed concerns of many BBVers. (Remember their lamentations and hand wringing when the Giants let Petttgout go?)

by blue gonz on Mar 23, 2009 8:00 AM EDT reply actions

Sure do

Diehl is not the best LT is the league, not even close. He does, however, do a good job and is an upgrade over Petitgout at the position.

by Ed Valentine on Mar 23, 2009 8:03 AM EDT up reply actions

Diehl doesn't get enough credit

He is one of the better LT’s in the league, although maybe not a Top 10 tackle but definitely a ‘good’ one. The scary thing is he’d be one of the Top 5 Guards in the league, along with Snee they;d havet he best guard tandem in the league.

I like Seubert, but the reality is that the Giants O-line right now isn’t as good as it could be especially against the pass. If they had a true LT they’d be impenetrable.

by FreeBradshaw on Mar 23, 2009 8:25 AM EDT up reply actions

Diehl's one weakness

seems to be that he has a hard time w/the speed rushers. That should not be surprising, since he truly is a guard. Nonetheless, he does a good job.

by Ed Valentine on Mar 23, 2009 8:28 AM EDT up reply actions

Definitely

This already the best O-line in football. Imagine if they had a true LT and could move Diehl to guard? Maybe we would be talking all-time great.

by potroast on Mar 23, 2009 9:52 AM EDT up reply actions

I voted Diehl

I loved Meggett, but all his off the field stuff made this an easier vote, just couldnt pull the trigger for Meggett.

Plus, Diehl is one of the ugliest men alive, I had to vote for him

Giants and Rangers fan from the womb to the tomb
Blueshirt Banter and Big Blue View

by Jim Schmiedeberg on Mar 23, 2009 8:27 AM EDT reply actions

I voted Meggett

Meggett is the best returner the giants have ever had and was a good third down back… Diehl is close but the fact that Meggett was the best at something really helps

It's not easy being Giants fan in Philly.. but it sure is satisfying

http://novafacts.blogspot.com

by Hoyadestroya85 on Mar 23, 2009 8:35 AM EDT reply actions

Whoa, Hoya.

Best returner? In the modern era (as defined by Ed—since 1970), I agree. All-Time, I’d take Emlen Tunnell, HOFer, and our “offense on defense.”

by blue gonz on Mar 23, 2009 9:37 AM EDT reply actions

thats of course what i meant

by the modern era.. Interesting thing about Emlen Tunnell is that he went to my rival high school so i’ve heard quite a bit about him from old timers.

It's not easy being Giants fan in Philly.. but it sure is satisfying

http://novafacts.blogspot.com

by Hoyadestroya85 on Mar 23, 2009 9:42 AM EDT up reply actions

I loved the guy.

Came back from a broken neck (before the NFL), undrafted, first African-American Giant, coach, front office guy, etc., etc.

by blue gonz on Mar 23, 2009 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Ed, maybe for these votes for best in______round,

you are confing choices to players chosen from 1970 forward? God, 39 years ago and it seems like only yesterday.

by blue gonz on Mar 23, 2009 9:39 AM EDT reply actions

I hear you

I confined it for a couple of reasons. Other than a handful of readers like you I didn’t think many folks really had knowledge of the time before 1970. Also, that cutoff roughly coincides with the post-merger era in the NFL, and the time when the game and the draft process really began to change. So, that’s why I used the loose ‘modern era’ definition.

by Ed Valentine on Mar 23, 2009 11:19 AM EDT up reply actions

Megget

if he was good enough for Parcells to take him to three separate teams, he’s good enough for me.

by cjmulrain on Mar 23, 2009 11:20 AM EDT reply actions

That

is a very good point. And it’s funny, too, because Parcells didn’t want Meggett when they drafted him. He got overruled by George Young and the scouts, and had a fit about drafting a 5-foot-7 running back.

by Ed Valentine on Mar 23, 2009 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions

Close Call

But I voted for Meggett. Diehl has been playing out of his natural position and has done an excellent job, but as a tackle he does have some weaknesses. What I loved about meggett was that he was an outstanding blocker for a litle guy. I can’t remember how many times he got caught in blitz protection and held his own against much bigger guys. Plus he just had the knack, whether on punts, screen passes or runs of making big third down plays.

by Tucker Fredrickson on Mar 24, 2009 4:56 PM EDT reply actions