Recent history suggests the New York Giants haven't thrown away their future

By Andy Davies

The New York Giants earned a shock 45-33 win over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.

Quarterback Drew Lock had quite the performance, throwing for 309 yards and five total touchdowns in arguably the best performance of his career and one that had plenty of connotations for many teams.

Lock became just the third Giants player to record four passing touchdowns and one rushing touchdown in the same game along with Eli Manning and Charlie Conerly. He also ended the Colts’ playoff chances whilst boosting the chances for both the Cincinnati Bengals and Miami Dolphins’ of making the final AFC Wildcard Round spot.

Just as crucially, whilst also helping wide receiver Malik Nabers to 1,000 yards, the win moved the Giants from the number one draft pick to the fourth overall draft pick with just one game remaining.

This has led to many feeling that Lock has cost the team their future. However, recent history suggests the Giants have not thrown away their future by virtue of this win.

A history of number one overall pick busts

OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 14: JaMarcus Russell #2 of the Oakland Raiders walks off the field after Raiders lost 24-20 against the San Diego Chargers against the Oakland Raiders on September 14, 2009 at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

The number one pick is great in theory, but only if you use it correctly, Whilst there have been some Hall of Famers who were picked first, such as Peyton Manning, John Elway and Troy Aikman, there have also been plenty of underwhelming first overall selections.

In fact, only 14 first overall selections have been inducted into the Pro Football of Fame. This may be 15 in a few months’ time with Eli Manning a 2025 nominee. Even if this was the case, to only have this many since the first ever draft pick in 1936 is a damming indictment.

The main contributing factor to this is because the teams are picking at this point for a reason. They are not a good team and they normally need a lot more than just a shiny new quarterback to turn their fortunes around.

Jamarcus Russell, Sam Bradford and Ki-Jana Carter are examples of three modern day busts who were taken first overall. However, there have been some great selections taken later in the draft that show that you need a competent front office if you are to succeed.

Jags regretting Hutchinson snub

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) is sacked by Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson (97) during the second half of an NFL football game in Detroit, Michigan USA, on Sunday, December 4, 2022 (Photo by Jorge Lemus/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

There have been some recent snubs in the NFL Draft, with none more prevalent in the past few years than the Jacksonville Jaguars taking Travon Walker over Aidan Hutchinson in 2022.

Of course, you can point to the Carolina Panthers taking Bryce Young over CJ Stroud in 2023. However, this was the expected pick. However, in 2022, Hutchinson was seen as the best player on the board and many believed that he would go first.

Noise then started to circulate days before the draft that the Jags could take Walker instead and this is what they did.

Walker has been a fine NFL player, far from a bust. After a difficult 2022 rookie year, he went from 3.5 sacks to recording 10 in 2023 and 9.5 in 2024 with one game remaining. However, Hutchinson, who was taken by the Detroit Lions second overall, was a star straight away. With 28.5 career sacks in 39 games, along with four forced fumbles, 122 total tackles and 65 quarterback hits, he has been a massively influential figure in the rise of the Lions.

Hutchinson’s injury absence in the playoffs could be the thing that ultimately hinders Detroit’s Super Bowl chances this season, going to further show his talent and importance to the team.

Who could the Giants take?

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - DECEMBER 19: A 2025 NFL Draft merchandise display at the Packers Pro Shop at Lambeau Fieldon December 19, 2024 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Kirby Lee/Getty Images)

All is not lost for the Giants. Of course, they may still end up having the first overall selection.

The New England Patriots (1st), Tennessee Titans (2nd) and Cleveland Browns (3rd) are all competing with the Giants for the pick. Whilst the Browns have to take on the in-form Baltimore Ravens looking to secure the AFC North, the Titans take on the Jags and both the Giants and Patriots have games against two teams who are likely to rest starters ahead of the postseason in the Philadelphia Eagles and Buffalo Bills respectively.

Mock drafts currently have the Giants taking cornerback Will Johnson fourth overall with the Browns taking quarterback Cameron Ward third. With the restructuring of Deshaun Watson’s contract, this implies they may be looking to keep hold of him for now, which would leave the door open for the G-men to take Ward and still have their guy for the future despite that win over Indy in Week 17.

ANDY DAVIES

NFL ANALYST

ANDY IS A SPORTS JOURNALISM GRADUATE WITH OVER FOUR YEARS EXPERIENCE OF NFL WRITING AND PODCASTING. ANDY HAS BEEN TO EVERY NFL STADIUM AND IS THE HOST OF THE ACROSS THE POD PODCAST. HE HAS PRESS PASS EXPERIENCE AT THE LONDON GAMES AND MANY OTHER NFL BASED EVENTS, HAVING INTERVIEWED THE LIKES OF AARON RODGERS, JASON BELL, OSI UMENYIORA, DOUG PEDERSON, DERRICK HENRY, TREVOR LAWRENCE AND MIKE VRABEL.

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