New York Giants 2008 Draft Review
It usually takes at least three years to fairly review a draft class, but that doesn’t mean we can’t start to lean one way or another.
And in most cases, after two years we have seen enough to give us a strong indication of whether or not they will be successful players. In other cases, we can close the book entirely.
But while we can say what we want, these grades should be taken with a slight grain of salt.
Kenny Phillips (Round 1, Pick 31)
With the last pick in the first round, the Giants selected this Miami product to replace departed safety Gibril Wilson.
Phillips received rave reviews for his performance in training camp, and it looked like the Giants had themselves a steal.
Although it took Phillips until mid-season to crack the starting lineup due to injury, he eventually settled nicely into a three man rotation with Michael Johnson and James Butler.
Entering the 2009 season, Phillips was primed for a breakout. Butler had left via free agency, and Phillips became the full time starter.
The youngster did not disappoint, recording two key interceptions in a week two win at the new Cowboys stadium.
Unfortunately that is the last game he played due to patellofemoral arthritis in his left knee.
Phillips’ future is still in doubt; if he can come back fully healthy, he can be one of the top safeties in the game.
If not, he is a sad, familiar story of a talented player who couldn’t overcome injuries.
(Phillips’ injury is not reflected in the grade of his selection; GM Jerry Reese cannot be faulted)
Grade: A
Terrell Thomas (Round 2, Pick 63)
For the second year in a row, the Giants selected a USC Trojan in the second round. For the second year in a row, the Giants struck gold.
In his rookie year, Thomas was mostly used as a nickelback behind Corey Webster and Aaron Ross.
His first season was a modest success, with 45 tackles and an interception. But, in his second season, Thomas was forced into action due to Aaron Ross’ gimpy hamstring; he did not disappoint.
In a season wrought with lapses in coverage, Thomas was the Giants’ most consistent defensive back. He recorded 85 tackles and five interceptions—tops on the team.
Looking forward, Thomas will team with Corey Webster and a healthy Aaron Ross to create a very good cornerback core.
Just don’t expect him to give up his starting job anytime soon.
Grade: A
Mario Manningham (Round 3, Pick 95)
Super Mario was one of the most prolific receivers to ever wear a Michigan Wolverines jersey. But, due to concerns about his character, Manningham slipped to the Giants at round three.
In his rookie season, Manningham struggled to get on the field, and finished with just four receptions for 26 yards and one rush for negative twelve yards.
But Manningham broke out in his second season, grabbing a starting receiver job opposite Steve Smith.
Although he eventually lost his starting job to Hakeem Nicks, partially due to injuries, Manningham had a good season, showing flashes of brilliance.
He did struggle with drops, but with the ball in his hands, he was electric. Manningham finished with 57 receptions, 822 yards and five touchdowns and will be a big part of the Giants’ passing game going forward.
Grade: A
Bryan Kehl (Round 4, Pick 123)
The fact that the Giants traded up seven spots to snag the outside linebacker from BYU suggests that GM Jerry Reese and his crew were big fans of the youngster, and that they thought at least one other team felt the same way.
Unfortunately, Kehl has not lived up to his fourth round billing, making little impact at the NFL level.
He had his moments as a rookie, tallying 35 tackles and an interception, but he managed just 22 in his second season.
His third season could be make or break for Kehl, but as of right now, his NFL resume is unfortunately unimpressive.
Grade: C-
Jonathan Goff (Round 5, Pick 165)
Goff missed almost his entire rookie season due to a back injury.
In his second season, Goff played sparingly until Antonio Pierce suffered a season-ending injury. Goff started four games in what basically amounted to an audition for the 2010 starting middle linebacker job.
It’s hard to say that he passed the audition, although he didn’t fall flat on his face either. Goff finished the season with 25 tackles and an interception, although he somehow managed to not record a tackle in a game against the Eagles.
Goff is still developing, due to his lost rookie season, but it’s hard to imagine the team ever handing him a starting spot.
Grade: C+
Andre Woodson (Round 6, Pick 198)
At the time, selecting Woodson this late in the draft looked to be a shrewd move by Jerry Reese. Woodson was once considered a top QB talent whose stock had taken a fall before the draft.
The Giants planned to stockpile Woodson and develop him as a backup or trade him for draft picks. Unfortunately, Woodson could never adjust to NFL-level competition, and has since been released by the Giants.
Grade: D
Robert Henderson (Round 6 Pick 199)
Taken exactly one pick after Andre Woodson, the selection of Henderson, a defensive end, looked to be redundant given the Giants’ depth at the position.
But, the old adage “you can never have too many pass rushers” was used by fans and experts to explain the odd pick.
When Osi Umenyiora was lost for the season, there was suddenly a need for quality depth at defensive end. Unfortunately, Henderson had already injured his ankle and was soon released.
Grade: D
Overall Draft Grade: B+
After round three, there isn’t much to write home about.
Woodson and Henderson were wasted picks.
Goff and Kehl, can still be solid backups, but it looks like they are not equipped to be starters in the NFL.
But with the first three picks, the Giants added three high-impact players to their team.
It’s always better for a draft to be top-heavy than bottom-heavy because it means you are hitting on those premium picks and adding valuable players to your team.
Good value late in the draft can turn good drafts to great ones, but if you miss with those early picks, it’s hard to recover.
This is not a balanced draft, but its strong beginning makes it successful.
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