Not my writeup but someone from Reddit. Makes you realize how bad Reese drafted from 2012 to 2017.
Gettleman has gotten major push back about his personnel decisions since he took over. Whether it be about signing OBJ, saying he didnt sign him to trade him, and then doing so or even taking Saquon 2 overall many giants fans have questioned his every move. What people need to face is whether they like it or not, the giants have been in a complete rebuild ever since 2017. People love pointing fingers, whos fault could this be? How could the giants really be this bad? The giants won the super bowl in 2011 and seemed like they were headed in the right direction with Tom Coughlin at the helm, so what was the downfall? Easy. A terrible GM with terrible decision making when it comes to drafting and making personnel decisions. How bad was Jerry Reese at drafting players? Lets take a quick peek starting in 2012 to see how we ended up being this bad of a franchise in 2019. I will highlight any top picks from 2012-2017 drafts, how they played and where they currently are in their careers.
2012 Draft
Notable picks:
Round 1 - David Wilson (RB): played 2 seasons, showed flashes his rookie year before suffering a career ending injury in season 2, forcing him to retire. Not his fault. Currently out of the league.
Round 2 - Rueben Randle (WR): played four solid years totaling 188 receptions for 2,664 yards and 20 TDs. Played to his draft level, was a solid number 2 receiever but was never able to handle being a number 1 target. Eventually signed a 1 year deal with the eagles, never played a down, and bounced around to the Bears and then the CFL. Currently out of the league.
Round 3 - Jayron Holsey (CB): Had an encouraging rookie year, started 12 games for us recording 36 combined tackles. Took a step back his sophomore year, played 11 games. Played out the remaining 2 years of his rookie deal, was not resigned and did not play for another team. Currently out of the league.
Other 2012 draft picks: Adrien Robinson (out of the league), Brandon Mosely (out of the league), Matt MCcants (cut before 2012 season, currently plays in XFL), Markus Kuhn (out of the league)
2013 Draft
Notable picks:
Round 1 - Justin Pugh (OG): Drafted as an undersized right tackle but transitioned to guard during his rookie year. Played 5 years for the giants, was a very solid guard on what was a shaky at best offensive line. Unfortunately injuries plagued most of his Giants career and was allowed to walk in 2017 during free agency and signed a 5 year $45 million dollar contract with the Cardinals through 2022.
Round 2 - Jonathan Hankins (DT): Had a dominant rookie season recording 51 tackles, 7 sacks, and a forced fumble while being named to PFF's all pro Team in 2013. Took a step back his sophomore season and tore his pectoral muscle during the 2015 season, landing on IR for the rest of the season. Played the remaining year on his rookie contract in 2016 recording 3 sacks and 43 tackles while establishing himself as a premier runstopper. Walked in free angecy in 2017 and signed a 3 year $30 million dollar deal with the colts. Waived by the colts following the 2018 season, and signed a 2 year deal with the raiders.
Round 3 - Damontre Moore (DE): Played two inumpressive years for the giants, didnt record his first sack until his second year playing for the giants. Ended up being waived during the 2015 season for violating the teams rules via an altercation with a teammate. Was claimed by the dolphins the same season, before being cut at the end of the season. Bounced around the NFL before signing with the AAF in 2019.
Round 4 - Ryan Nassib (QB) - lol. Not currently in the NFL.
Other 2013 draft picks: Cooper Taylor (not currently in the NFL), Eric Herman (not currently in the NFL), Michael Cox (not currently in the NFL)
2014 NFL Draft
Notable Picks:
Round 1 - Odell Beckham Jr (WR). Not much to say, one of the only picks that Reese made where the player is a generational talent. Currently with the Cleveland Steamers. I mean Browns.
Round 2 - Weston Richburg (C): Played his rookie year as a guard due to injuries. Returned his sophomore year to his natural position of center and quickly became a solid starter on what was a deteriorating offensive line, even being named the number 2 overall center in the NFL during the 2016 season by PFF. Played well during the 2016 & 2017 seasons before suffering a concussion and being placed on IR for the remainder of the season. Was allowed to walk in free agency an signed a 5 year $47.5 million dollar contract with the 49ers.
Round 4 Andre Williams (RB): Played sparingly throughout his two year tenure with the giants. Eventually after his second year with the giants, was cut in 2016. Bounced around the NFL to the chargers and eventually to the XFL where he currently resides.
Round 5 Devon Kennard (LB): Played four great years with the giants, establishing himself as a solid starting linebacker. Allowed to walk in free agency signing a 3 year $18 million dollar deal with the lions where he currently resides.
Other picks: Nate Berhe (not currently in the NFL), Bennett Jackson (not currently in the NFL).
2015 NFL Draft
Notable Picks:
Round 1 - Ereck Flowers (OT). My lord just this name instills fear in Giants fans. Was considered a day 2 prospect by some draft analysts, however we took Flowers 9th overall. Never seemed to really get a hold of the speed in the NFL along with the power of edge defenders. Poor technique and years of being abused by DE's allowed the giants to decline his 5th year option. Currently on the Ravens after having transitioned from OT to guard.
Round 2 - Landon Collins (S): Made an immediate impact in the Giants secondary and quickly established himself as not only a leader of our defense, but a leader of out team. Played four great years of football for the giants, before Gettleman declined resigning Collins. Collins went on to sign a 6 year $84 million dollar contract with the Redskins.
Other picks: Owamagbe Odighizuwa (not currently in the NFL), Mykkele Thompson (in the AAF), Geremey Davis (chargers), Bobby Hart
2016 NFL Draft
Notable Picks:
Round 1 - Eli Apple (CB). Much of his 2.5 year giants career was marred by controversy and poor play. Never lived up to the playing ability of a 1st round draft pick, mind that being 10th overall. In 2018 with the hiring of coach Shurmur, Shurmur said "I believe in a clean slate", allowing apple to start fresh. In week 7, Apple seemed deject and reports came that his Mom wanted Eli to be traded. Was eventually traded to the Saints, and is projected to be an upcoming free agent this off season.
Round 2 - Sterling Shepherd (WR): Has been a bright spot on the Giants since he was drafted. Served as a rock solid WR2 behind Odell since he entered the league, and has been a text book player for durability. Signed a 4 year $41 million dollar contract prior to the 2019 season. However, currently in the 2019 season concussions have plagued his entire season and have very much put into doubt his future.
Round 3 - Darian Thompson (S): Played 6 games during his rookie year before being placed on mid season IR due to a foot injury. Had a fantastic sophomore year season, being named the starting free safety next to Landon Collins, and finished with 75 solo tackles, 6 pass breakups and one interception. Was waived by the giants prior to the 2018 season as a part of final roster cuts.
Other picks: BJ Goodson (Packers), Paul Perkins (Lions), Jarrell Adams (not currently in the NFL)
2017 NFL Draft
Notable Picks:
Round 1 - Evan Engram (TE): Has proven himself as the TE1 for the giants since being drafted, and has ascended into the top 10 of TE's in the NFL since entering. Engram wowed at the combine by posting a 4.41 40 yard time, and has shown to be at times like having a 4th WR on the field, rather than being a traditional TE.
Round 2 - Dalvin Tomlinson (DT): Another solid foundation on our DL since being drafted, has posted three solid season for the giants.
Round 3 - Davis Webb (QB): Drafted as the heir apparent to Eli, however was cut by the giants in 2018, signed with the Jets and currently is on the Bills practice squad.
Round 4 - Wayne Gallman (RB): Has been a solid RB2 for the last three years, and at this point is a servicable backup to Saquon.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I wanted to make this post to highlight how we have gotten to this point in 2019. Teams are supposed to thrive and build themselves via the NFL draft. With Reese at the helm during his final 5 years as GM, he established a poor track record of over drafting and reaching on players that never lived up to expectations. He neglected the offensive line, and when his OL picks did pan out he elected to not sign them and allowed them to walk in free agency (Pugh and Richburg). Along with that, none of his mid round picks ever panned out, and many of those players are not even in the nfl currently. So next time someone wants to bash gettleman or shurmur for our current state of ineptitude, please just remind yourselves of how we got here: Jerry Reese.