In recent years, there’s been a recurring notion that the New York Giants lack the talent to compete with the top teams in the NFL.
However, the Giants receive high praise for their draft-day performances, often garnering “A” grades right after the draft concludes.
Curious about this? Let’s take a look back to assess how well their drafts have been perceived since 2020:
One might expect that, with the benefit of hindsight, the evaluation of the Giants’ drafts wouldn’t hold up as strongly.
Is that correct?
Interestingly, Gridiron Grading revisited and reassessed each draft class from all 32 NFL teams, and the Giants still rank among the best drafters.
How can the Giants, despite achieving only a third of victories in the past six seasons, also be recognized as one of the top drafting teams? Let’s delve into their draft classes over the years.
Giants Draft Classes
Overall, the Giants have made a total of 47 picks in the last six drafts, averaging just under eight selections each year (7.8). Their drafts tend to lean towards the later rounds, largely due to compensatory picks and trade-related considerations.
Typically, having more picks is advantageous in the draft, but the efficacy of those picks matters significantly as well.
The success of players depends on various factors, including evaluation quality, compatibility, coaching effectiveness, work ethic, injury concerns, and some degree of luck.
More draft picks translate to increased chances of making successful selections.
The drafts from 2020 and 2021 were under the purview of former GM Dave Gettleman, who deserves credit for selecting Andrew Thomas, one of the Giants’ standout players. However, he also oversaw several significant misses.
The Quarterback Issue
One major underlying issue is the quarterback, Daniel Jones, who influenced the team’s overall performance. Quarterback effectiveness directly impacts various elements of the team’s play.
With recent acquisitions, including Russell Wilson and Jaxson Dart, the organization aims to shift the quarterback dynamics, aligning better with Coach Brian Daboll’s vision.
Opportunity for Improvement
The grading methodology by Gridiron Grading lacks nuance, categorizing players too broadly without distinguishing between actual contributors and those with lesser impact.
The Giants fielded one of the league’s youngest squads last year. Given their continuity in leadership, opportunities for younger players to improve abound. Their performance this season may hinge on how these underperforming players develop, especially with potential improvements in quarterback play.
