New York Giants
Greatest Player: Lawrence Taylor
It’s likely that no defensive player in this history induced unbridled terror in opposing quarterbacks the way Lawrence Taylor did, as a member of the New York Giants. His teammate Beasley Reece once told the New York Times: “I’ve seen quarterbacks look at Lawrence and forget the snap count.”
Former offensive tackle Jerry Sisemore of the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles is reported as saying he’d start having cold sweats midweek, at the prospect of facing Taylor that ensuing week. Taylor wrought such havoc on opposing offenses that Hall of Fame coach Joe Gibbs changed the way traditional offenses were schemed back then, eschewing a second running back in place of a second tight end, just to he could stop Taylor from destroying their offense.
New York Giants
Runner Up: Michael Strahan
In a draft that saw two future Hall of Fame players among the top 10 selections, it was a relative unheralded defensive end from Texas Southern University named Michael Strahan who was the headliner from this class.
It’s safe to say that Strahan was the top pick of the 1993 Draft. Strahan finished his career with the 6th-most career sacks in NFL history, including a record 22.5 sacks in 2001.
New York Giants
Challenger: Saquon Barkley
After just one year in the league, Saquon Barkley quickly became one of the best running backs in all of professional football. He had high expectations to live up to after being the second overall pick in the draft and being selected ahead of some notable quarterbacks.
But Barkley surely met those expectations despite playing on a losing team with a suspect offensively line. Between his touches as a runner and receiver, Barkley amassed over 2,000 all-purpose yards and 15 touchdowns, earning Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. After an injury-riddled sophomore season, expect him to bounce back in a monstrous way.