NY Giants' Best and Worst Draft Picks Since 2000

CBS Sports had a feature detailing the best (they called it top) and worst draft picks of each team in each round since 2000.  Let's take a look at the choices.

Best Picks:

First: Eli Manning, QB (No. 1 overall, 2004) Manning was technically picked by the Chargers who cut a deal to send the top pick to the Giants. Since then Manning has thrown 156 TDs and was named Super Bowl XLII MVP.

Second: Osi Umenyiora, DE (No. 56 overall, 2003) The London-born Umenyiora didn’t get much attention at Troy University, but now has 60 sacks over seven NFL seasons. He edges RG Chris Snee (2004), CB Corey Webster (2005), WR Steve Smith (2007) and CB Terrell Thomas (2008) as the top second-round pick.

Third: Justin Tuck, DE (No. 74 overall, 2005) Tuck has 40.5 sacks over six NFL seasons and was a critical member of the Super Bowl XLII-winning team. He’s also a defensive captain with the ability to play end or tackle.

Fourth: Brandon Jacobs , RB (110 overall, 2005) The Giants took a risk on a 260-pound back who played at three colleges in three years, but the payoff has been undeniable. Jacobs has amassed 4,278 yards in six seasons and has a career average of 4.6 YPC. Jacobs also has 49 rushing TDs and three receiving TDs.

Fifth: David Diehl, LT/LG (160th overall in 2003) After playing tackle at Illinois, Diehl converted to guard with the Giants before ultimately moving back to left tackle. Diehl defended QB Eli Manning's blindside as the Giants went on to win Super Bowl XLII and he was named to the 2009 Pro Bowl.

Sixth: Dhani Jones, LB (177 overall, 2000) Jones didn’t play until his second season and didn’t start until his third, but ultimately made 202 tackles for the Giants between 2002 and 2003. He went on to sign with the Eagles and Bengals.

Seventh: Ahmad Bradshaw, RB (250 overall, 2007) Bradshaw rushed for 1,235 yards and eight TDs in 2010 which pushed his four-year total to 2,558 yards and 17 TDs. He has had some fumbling issues (15 career fumbles), but played through severe foot and ankle pain to make 16 appearances last year.

Worst Picks:

First: William Joseph, DT (No. 25 overall, 2003) Joseph began his career with a holdout and finished it with seven sacks in five seasons with the Giants. Injuries and conditioning ultimately cost Joseph, who had been a standout at the University of Miami.

Second: Clint Sintim LB (No. 45 overall, 2009) In his first two seasons, he was beat out for the starting strongside job by veterans LB Danny Clark and LB Keith Bulluck. Failing to play much on defense, Sintim didn’t make much of an impact on special teams and ended 2010 on the IR (knee).

Third: Jeff Hatch, OT (No. 78 overall, 2002) Hatch, a Penn alum, started four games in his second season but never found his way back on the field. He narrowly edges WR Ron Dixon (2000), a Lambuth alum.

Fourth: Cedric Scott, DE (114 overall, 2001) Scott had six combined tackles over three NFL seasons and has since made a living as a DT for the Edmonton Eskimos of the CFL.

Fifth: Rhett Bomar, QB (151 overall, 2009) Bomar was a high school sensation when he signed to play at Oklahoma, but a no-show job cost him his scholarship and he ended his collegiate career at Sam Houston State. Bomar struggled to get off the practice squad for two seasons, making only brief appearances on the active roster.

Sixth: Andre’ Woodson, QB (199 overall, 2008) Woodson never completed an NFL pass, but made news in 2009 when the Giants cut him in training camp and he immediately signed with Washington--New York’s Week 1 opponent. Then Redskins coach Jim Zorn denied signing Woodson to gain intelligence on the Giants.

Seventh: Stoney Woodson, CB (238 overall, 2009) Woodson was injured in training camp and was given an injury settlement before the 2009 season.

My Reaction:

The biggest thing is whether we should have traded away so many picks for Eli when Phillip Rivers and Ben Roethlisberger were there.  I don't believe Rivers would've done as well in NY as he has done in San Diego.  While I don't regret the pick, I think Roethlisberger would have been fine on the Giants.

A few picks after William Joseph, Nnamdi Asomugha went off the board to the Raiders. Sigh.

Ron Dayne was also a very bad first-round pick in 2000.  In 1999, the Giants averaged fewer than 100 yards per game over a season for the first time since 1953.  They felt that a big, power running back was exactly what they needed. I remember Fassel patting himself on the back for the pick.  "This may be one of the best picks we've ever made."  If you think about it, Big Ten running backs haven't been kind to the Giants.

I don't know how you can call Clint Sintim the worst 2nd-round pick since 2000.  Let's see him in the same defense two years in a row before we label him as anything. What about Sinorice Moss? He should be the guy.

Jacobs has done very well at times and been OK at other times.  Based off of last year's performance, you could make a strong case for Barry Cofield as the best 4th-round pick.  I was never that impressed with him but he's been a solid starter since he was a rookie and he had a stellar 2010 season.

So what do you guys think?