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New York Giants' Draft Busts: No. 4 ... William Joseph

By Ed Valentine Updated
<strong>William Joseph</strong> on the Giants' bench. Where he spent a considerable amount of time. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr./Getty Images)
William Joseph on the Giants' bench. Where he spent a considerable amount of time. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr./Getty Images)

We have reached No. 4 in our list of the worst New York Giants' No. 1 draft picks since 1960. Today we come to the most recent of our draft "busts," 2003 No. 1 pick William Joseph. As you will see, Joseph is this high on the list partially for his performance, but also partially for who the Giants passed over to select him.

I did a 'first-round flops' post way back in 2009. As you can see my list has changed somewhat since then. I think this is a better, more well-researched list that isn't quite so much off the top of my head. What I wrote about Joseph still applies, though.

The Giants drafted Joseph 25th overall when defensive tackles were the rage. He was the 6th one taken in the first round that year (the 10th defensive lineman) and never lived up to it. Had he been a third-round pick his production probably would have been OK. But, as first-round picks go 80 tackles and 7 sacks in 5 seasons just doesn't cut it.

The other reason why this pick turned out so badly for the Giants is the players they left on the board. There were seven picks left in the first round after the Giants grabbed Joseph. Here are three that should upset you.

  • Larry Johnson (27th, RB, Kansas City) -- Brandon Jacobs before Brandon Jacobs, only better. A 230-pound power back who gained more than 1,700 yards in both 2005 and 2006.
  • Nick Barnett (29th, LB, Green Bay) -- A starter in the middle for the Packers for the last eight seasons. Better than Antonio Pierce in his prime? Don't know about that. Better than Willie Jo? Definitely.
  • Nnamdi Asomugha (31st, CB, Oakland) -- Only one of the two best cornerbacks in football along with Darrelle Revis. Ugh!

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