3 Draft Picks the Giants Gave up on Way Too Early

The New York Giants have drafted some absolute legends throughout team history, but it must be said that the team has let some elite talents leave far too early in their respective careers. Current general manager Dave Gettleman has been guilty of moving on from top holdover players in favor of his own guys, and that shaky judgment could end up costing him his job in the long term. With that in mind, let's look at three Giants draft picks the team gave up on way too early.

3. DT Linval Joseph

Linval Joseph was a second-round pick out of East Carolina in 2010. The defensive tackle spent four years with the G-Men and had nine sacks in 53 games, and was allowed to walk in free agency after the 2013 season. He signed a five-year deal with the Minnesota Vikings and went on to make two Pro Bowls, significantly stepping up his production. The Giants brought Joseph into the NFL, but they unfortunately didn't get to experience the very best version of him.

2. S Landon Collins

Landon Collins was a second-round pick in 2015 and made three Pro Bowls with the Giants. He became a focal point on defense only to sign with a division rival in the Washington Redskins in 2019. Collins averaged over 100 tackles per year with the Giants and even had five interceptions in 2016, but was a casualty of the Gettleman regime as part of a roster purge meant to reset the franchise.

1. WR Odell Beckham Jr.

Odell Beckham Jr. was the Giants' first-round pick in 2014, and the star receiver made three Pro Bowls during his time at the Meadowlands. He signed a huge five-year extension in 2018 only to be traded to the Browns a year later. Beckham had four 1,000-yard seasons in five years, but his big personality may have been too much for Gettleman. All told, however, trading away an elite receiver in his prime could end up dooming the Giants if they can't find any kind of replacement.