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Ranking the Giants' 10 Best Draft Picks of the Last Decade

The New York Giants have significantly underperformed in the NFL Draft in the past decade, but they still made some excellent picks.

By Nicholas Rome

September 21, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; New York Giants co-owner John Mara before the game
September 21, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; New York Giants co-owner John Mara before the game / Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
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1. Odell Beckham Jr. - 2014 Draft - 12th Overall Pick

Dec 2, 2018; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (13) throws
Dec 2, 2018; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (13) throws / Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

The Giants' offense was transformed from the first time Odell Beckham Jr took the field with the team. Despite playing in just 12 games as a rookie, Beckham would record 91 catches for 1305 yards and 12 touchdowns, making the Pro Bowl and winning the Rookie of the Year. His iconic one-handed catch against the Cowboys sent him into superstardom.

He'd go on to make the Pro Bowl in each of his first three seasons while being named a second-team All-Pro twice. The talent of Beckham is undeniable as he was one of, if not, the best receivers in the league during his time with the Giants. In his Giants career, Beckham caught 390 passes for 5476 yards and 44 touchdowns. He'd add another 74 yards rushing while passing for 106 yards and two touchdowns.

When Beckham was signed to a five-year, $95 million dollar contract, it seemed that he would be a Giant for life. The issue with Beckham Jr was some of his antics. The team eventually grew tired of issues on the sideline as he'll be remembered for his fight with Josh Norman, a kicking net, and a divisive interview with Lil Wayne just as much for his play on the field.

The results of trading Odell Beckham Jr helped set the team up with loads of talent as the team got back Jabrill Peppers, Kevin Zeitler, a first-round pick, and a third-round pick. The team would land an All-Pro in Dexter Lawrence with the 17th overall pick and Oshane Ximines with the third-round pick.

The selection of Beckham was truly one of the best as the team got one of the best receivers in football for five seasons. If he had played out his second contract in New York, Beckham would be at the top of all the Giants' receiving records and seen as one of the greatest players in franchise history. The ending of his time in New York will always hurt and his career turning out the way it has after an unprecedented start is truly a disappointment.

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