The top 25 Giants draft picks of the 20th Century (in no particular order)

THE 12TH DIMENSION

- Jerry Foley

I figured since there are no mini-camps or practices on the immediate horizon and while there is still some excitement around the latest Giants’ draft, that now would be a good time to reminisce and take a stroll down memory lane. The list below are the top Mara Tech draft choices of the 20th Century. The criteria for this list are simple — greatness and value by round. There will surely be debate and letters written to me with unmistakable venom — “how could you leave off Brad Van Pelt?!?!” That’s fine. With everything going on in the world, I truly welcome any and all sports debate.

Lawrence Taylor, Round 2, UNC, 1981

Okay, I promise they’re not in order but any Giants’ list regarding anything positive needs to have LT at the very top. He was the greatest defensive player in NFL history, and I thank the Lord every day that the New Orleans Saints drafted running back George Rogers first overall in that draft.

Alphonse “Tuffy” Leemans, Round 2 George Washington University

(yes, they apparently once had a football team), 1936 The Giants nailed this pick in the second round of the NFL’s first draft. Hall of Famer Leemans’ Number 4 is retired, and he was one of the premier running backs in the NFL during his career.

Frank Gifford, Round 1, USC, 1952

Seems like an easy draft pick for the Giants to make but remember, this was one year removed from the team drafting Kyle Rote first overall in 1951. Gifford is arguably on the Giants’ “Mount Rushmore.”

Rosey Brown, Round 27, Morgan State, 1953