New York Giants NFL Draft History: Grading Each Giants Draft of the 2000s

With the 2011 NFL draft in the near future it is easy to know which franchises will draft well, the ones that have drafted well in the past. The New York Football Giants have been one of the most successful franchises in the NFL for almost a century, and one of the primary reasons for that success on the field is success in the draft room off it.

For the first decade of the 2000s the Giants were constantly in the hunt for a Super Bowl Ring, making two and winning one. And, true to formula, the success the Giants enjoyed in the 2000s was, like in the 1990s, due to the successful drafting. 

That those two Super Bowl appearances in the 2000s happened under two entirely different regimes—in 2000 under head coach Jim Fassel and general manager Ernie Accorsi and in 2008 under head coach Tom Coughlin and general manager Jerry Reese—is proof that the Giants as an organization have long understood and valued the importance of the NFL draft.

In fact, when it comes to general managers the Giants are like the Pittsburgh Steelers and coaches. In the last three decades the Giants have had only three GMs—George Young, Ernie Accorsi and Jerry Reese. And each GM worked in the organization under their predecessor before taking over. 

Talk about continuity and stability; it's no wonder that along with teams like the Steelers and Patriots the Giants are one of the elite teams in the NFL year in year out. 

The following slideshow is a breakdown of every draft of the 2000s of the New York Giants. Each slide will include who the decision makers were, the selections, a brief analysis and final grade.

2000 Draft

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 21: Running back Ron Dayne #27 of the New York Giants is hit by cornerback DeAngelo Hall #21 of the Atlanta Falcons in the third quarter at Giants Stadium on November 21, 2004 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Falcons de

Decision Makers

Head Coach— Jim Fassel

General Manager— Ernie Accorsi

Draft Picks

First Round— Ron Dayne

Second Round— Cornelius Griffin

Third Round— Ronald Dixon

Fourth Round—Brandon Short

Fifth Round— Ralph Brown

Sixth Round— Dhani Jones

Seventh Round— Jeremiah Parker

Quick Analysis

This draft had some productive players for the Giants but no one that could ever be considered a star for them. While Griffin was one of the better defensive tackles in the NFL for a few years during his career, those came after he had signed with the Washington Redskins.

And don’t get me started on Dayne.

This was a horrible draft for the Giants, as players were either busts, washouts or guys who developed into good players with other teams. The Giants got little return from this draft considering the expectations.

Grade: D+

2001 Draft

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LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 24: Santana Moss #89 of the Washington Redskins breaks a tackle from Will Allen #25 of the New York Giants and heads for the endzone to score his third touchdown of the day on December 24, 2005 at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland

Decision Makers

Head Coach— Jim Fassel

General Manager— Ernie Accorsi

Draft Picks

First Round— Will Allen

Third Round— William Peterson

Fourth Round— Cedric Scott

Fourth Round — Jesse Palmer

Fifth Round— John Markham

Fifth Round— Jonathan Carter

Seventh Round— Ross Kolodziej

Quick Analysis

Another dud of a draft for the Giants as which would help start the end of Jim Fassel. This draft was top heavy for the Giants, as only the Wills, both cornerbacks, did anything for the Giants… but even they didn’t turn out the way the Giants expected.

Allen displayed some of the worst hands in the NFL during his time in the NFL, dropping countless interceptions and allowing too many big plays. The Giants let him leave as a free agent after his rookie contract expired, he signed with the Miami Dolphins and of course played better for them than he ever did for the Giants.

Peterson, also a cornerback, was on his way to becoming one of the best all around cornerbacks in the NFL, got a huge contract, and then busted his back. He was never the same player again, was cut and changed his name to William James.

Craptastic.

Grade: D

2002 Draft

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GLENDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 03: Injured tight end Jeremy Shockey of the New York Giants uses crutches to walk out to the field before Super Bowl XLII against the New England Patriots on February 3, 2008 at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizo

Decision Makers

Head Coach— Jim Fassel

General Manager— Ernie Accorsi

Draft Picks

First Round— Jeremy Shockey

Second Round— Tim Carter

Third Round— Jeff Hatch

Fifth Round— Nick Greisen

Sixth Round—Wesley Mallard

Seventh Round— Daryl Jones

Seventh Round— Quincy Monk

Quick Analysis

Another top-heavy draft lacking production from the lower rounds and the impact expected from the top rounds. And again, even though Jeremy Shockey and Tim Carter flashed potential, especially Shockey, injuries and attitude derailed their careers.

Shockey is actually a classic draft cautionary tale. A specialist pass catching tight end he was drafted to be a playmaker for Fassel. Once Fassel was fired and Coughlin hired Shockey’s role disappeared not because Shockey was no longer a special player but because Coughlin had a much more traditional approach to the tight end position than Fassel.

Lesson to be learned? Don't draft specialists high in the draft, (helloooo, Reggie Bush!)

After Coughlin was brought on Shockey’s biggest contribution to the Giants was getting injured during their 2008 run to the Super Bowl and double-fisting cocktails during the big game in a suite. Class act. 

Greisen was a nice linebacker for the Giants for a few years, but that was it.

Grade: C-

2003 Draft

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 12: Osi Umenyiora #72 of the New York Giants forces a fumble against Matt Moore #3 of the Carolina Panthers during the fourth quarter on September 12, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The

Decision Makers

Head Coach— Jim Fassel

General Manager— Ernie Accorsi

Draft Picks

First Round— William Joseph

Second Round— Osi Umenyiora

Third Round— Visante Shiancoe

Fourth Round— Rod Babers

Fifth Round— David Diehl

Sixth Round— Willie Ponder

Sixth Round— Frank Walker

Sixth Round— David Tyree

Seventh Round— Charles Drake

Seventh Round— Wayne Lucier

Seventh Round— Kevin Walter

Quick Analysis

This draft was an awesome draft for the New York Giants as it produced the NFL’s most versatile offensive lineman, the best special teams player in the NFL for a number of years and one of the franchises best pass rushers of all time. Not bad.

Without Osi Umenyiora, David Diehl and David Tyree the Giants have no Super Bowl Rings for 2008.

And Willie Ponder and Frank Walker weren’t bad players either. However this draft didn’t develop fast enough to save Jim Fassel’s job as the awfulness of the last few drafts, could be argued, doomed him. 

Yes, William Joseph was a big bust, but Umenyiora in the second round alone counters that.

Also remember that at the time of the draft Osi Umenyiora, who wasn't even invited to the Combine, was considered a huge reach. 

However giving up too soon on Kevin Walter, who developed into a very good NFL wide receiver, hurts the grade a bit. 

Grade: B+

2004 Draft

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 27: Chris Snee #76 of the New York Giants against the Carolina Panthers at Giants Stadium on December 27, 2009 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Decision Makers

Head Coach— Tom Coughlin

General Manager— Ernie Accrosi

Draft Picks

First Round— Phillip Rivers (Traded for Eli Manning)

Second Round— Chris Snee

Fourth Round— Reggie Torbor

Fifth Round— Gibril Wilson

Sixth Round— Jamaar Taylor

Seventh Round— Andrew Stronjny

Seventh Round— Isaac Hilton

Quick Analysis

This was a draft for the ages and the defining draft of Ernie Accorsi’s long and illustrious career with the New York Giants. Yes, Ernie sacrificed a lot for Eli Manning and yes Phillip Rivers has better stats than Eli but last I checked Eli has a ring and Phil doesn’t.

And Chris Snee has been one of the NFL’s best guards in the NFL from the moment he stepped on the field, Reggie Torbor was a key contributor to the 2008 Super Bowl and so was Gibril Wilson. 

All in all, this was the draft that shaped the course of the Giants in the 2000s. This was their make or break draft, luckily they made it. 

Grade: A

2005 Draft

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 19: Justin Tuck #91 of the New York Giants sacks Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles at New Meadowlands Stadium on December 19, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Decision Makers

Head Coach— Tom Coughlin

General Manager— Ernie Accorsi

Draft Picks

Second Round— Corey Webster

Third Round— Justin Tuck

Fourth Round— Brandon Jacobs

Sixth Round— Eric Moore

Quick Analysis

As good as the 2004 draft was, this draft might have been even better. This draft is proof that it is not how many draft picks you have, but how many you hit on. Brandon Jacobs, Justin Tuck and Corey Webster were all or still are stars in the NFL. Each one played a huge role in the Giants path to the 2008 Super Bowl.

And the fact that the Chargers used the first rounder from this draft from the Giants trade to get Eli on Shawn Merriman, a known 'roider and fraud whose no longer on that team makes it even more satisfying.

Grade: A

2006 Draft

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 22: Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons is sacked by Barry Cofield #96 of the New York Giants on November 22, 2009 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Giants defeated the Falcons 34-31 in overtime. (Photo

Decision Makers

Head Coach— Tom Coughlin

General Manager— Ernie Accorsi

Draft Picks

First Round— Mathias Kiwanuka

Second Round— Sinorice Moss

Third Round— Gerris Wilkinson

Fourth Round— Barry Cofield

Fourth Round— Guy Whimper

Fifth Round— Charlie Perpah

Seventh Round— Gerrick McPhearson

Quick Analysis

Aside from Barry Cofield this draft was a major failure. Kiwanuka had one good healthy season for the Giants but probably won’t be back with the team past his rookie contract. Moss was a hard worker but could never see field. Same with Wilkinson.

Cofield was far and away the best player from this draft, but even he is doubtful to be back with the Giants past his rookie contract. Not because he has little value, like Kiwanuka, but because he is more likely to get a bigger contract on the open market than by staying.

This was Accorsi’s last draft before he retired.

Grade: C-

2007 Draft

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 19: Ahmad Bradshaw #44 of the New York Giants against the Philadelphia Eagles at New Meadowlands Stadium on December 19, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Decision Makers

Head Coach— Tom Coughlin

General Manager— Jerry Reese

Draft Picks

First Round— Aaron Ross

Second Round— Steve Smith

Third Round— Jay Alford

Fourth Round— Zak DeOssie

Fifth Round— Kevin Boss

Sixth Round— Adam Koets

Seventh Round— Michael Johnson

Seventh Round— Ahmad Bradshaw

Quick Analysis

This draft is the reason why evaluating a draft after one year is always a mistake. While it is true the 2007 class played a huge role in the 2008 Super Bowl victory their rookie year to call them one of the greatest draft classes of all time is a huge overstatement.

Basically this draft was loaded with fantastic role players and no stars, and that was true before Steve Smith got hurt. 

But now that Steve Smith is hurt and Jay Alford is already not with the team due to injury, the grade takes an even bigger hit. 

To top it off Aaron Ross’s best season was probably his rookie year, so you can see why my grade is probably lower than you expect.

Grade: B-

2008 Draft

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 19: Kenny Phillips #21 of the New York Giants against the Philadelphia Eagles at New Meadowlands Stadium on December 19, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Decision Makers

Head Coach— Tom Coughlin

General Manager— Jerry Reese

Draft Picks

First Round— Kenny Phillips

Second Round— Terrell Thomas

Third Round— Mario Manningham

Fourth Round— Bryan Kehl

Fifth Round— Jonathan Goff

Sixth Round— Robert Henderson

Sixth Round— Andre Woodson

Quick Analysis

If Kenny Phillips never had to get knee surgery this draft would have been graded an easy A. But he did get injured, and that grade has to take a hit. Some would say I am nuts for that because injuries happen in football.

But Phillips wasn’t injured; he had degenerative arthritis that ate his cartilage away in his knee. The fact the Giants didn’t diagnose this prior to drafting him is a no no in my book, fair or not.

Otherwise Thomas is a star, Manningham one of the league’s best deep threats and Goff is a starter capable of developing into a stud.

Grade: B+

2009 Draft

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 14: Hakeem Nicks #88 of the New York Giants reacts against the Dallas Cowboys on November 14, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Cowboys defeated the Giants 33-20. (Photo by Jim McIsaac

Decision Makers

Head Coach— Tom Coughlin

General Manager— Jerry Reese

Draft Picks

First Round— Hakeem Nicks

Second Round— Clint Sintim

Second Round— William Beatty

Third Round— Ramses Barden

Third Round— Travis Beckum

Fourth Round— Andre Brown

Fifth Round— Rhett Bomar

Sixth Round— DeAndre Wright

Seventh Round— Stoney Woodson

Quick Analysis

Looking at this draft there is a lot of talent, but so far not a lot of on field success. Hakeem Nicks has a shot at being the greatest wide receiver in Giant history and William Beatty looks like a keeper but beyond them this draft is still an unknown.

No one knows if Clint Sintim, Travis Beckum and Ramses Barden will figure it out, but at this point they clearly haven’t. Andre Brown would have been a good player had an Achilles injury not destroyed his career.

To think, Reese actually contemplated drafting Sintim in the first round over Nicks.

Grade (Subject to change): B-

2010 Draft

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 19: Matt Dodge #6 of the New York Giants punts the ball to the Philadelphia Eagles during their game on December 19, 2010 at The New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Decision Makers

Head Coach— Tom Coughlin

General Manager— Jerry Reese

Draft Picks

First Round— Jason Pierre-Paul

Second Round— Linval Joseph

Third Round— Chad Jones

Fourth Round— Phillip Dillard

Fifth Round— Mitch Petrus

Sixth Round— Adrian Tracy

Seventh Round— Matt Dodge

Quick Analysis

Way too early to give a complete grade, but it must be said Pierre-Paul showed uncanny development his rookie year and looks like a monster in the making.

Sadly Chad Jones will probably never play a down for the Giants as he nearly lost his leg in a horrific car accident before even signing a contract with the team. 

So if I were forced to give a grade for this draft right now I would give it a massive F if for no other reason than Matt Dodge.

I lost years off my life due to that guy.

Grade: Incomplete