New York Giants’ short history selecting No. 3 overall in NFL draft

The New York Giants will select third overall in the 2025 NFL draft unless they opt to trade out of the spot. If they stand pat, it will be only the third time in franchise history they’ve made a pick at No. 3 overall.

With at least one of those picks, the Giants landed an all-time great — a player who deserves to be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The other was a bit more forgettable.

Here’s a quick look at the Giants’ short history of selecting No. 3 overall in the NFL draft.

1974 NFL draft: OL John Hicks, Ohio State

Looking to upgrade their line, the Giants selected offensive lineman John Hicks with their first pick in 1974. He started 14 games that season and was third in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting.

It seemed like a match made in heaven for the Giants but the union was shortlived.

In 1978, the Giants traded Hicks to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for offensive lineman Jim Clack and wide receiver Ernie Pough. However, Hicks would never take another NFL snap.

Over his four seasons with the Giants, Hicks appeared in 52 games with 50 starts.

In 2016, Hicks passed away at the age of 65 due to complications from diabetes.

1984 NFL draft: LB Carl Banks, Michigan State

10 years after selecting Hicks with the No. 3 overall pick, the Giants found themselves back in the same spot. This time, they called the name of Michigan State linebacker Carl Banks.

Banks spent nine seasons with the Giants and quickly became an all-time franchise great. He was named to the Pro Bowl and honored as a First-Team All-Pro in 1987, and won two Super Bowl titles during his time in New York.

In 2011, Banks was indicted into the Giants Ring of Honor.

Before retiring from football following the 1995 season, Banks also spent time with the Washington Redskins and Cleveland Browns.

In 173 career games (151 starts), Banks recorded 860 tackles, one forced fumble, six fumble recoveries, 39.5 sacks, three interceptions, and one defensive touchdown.

1984 Supplemental draft: OL Gary Zimmerman, Oregon

Although the Giants have only selected third overall in NFL draft history twice, they did also select third in the 1984 Supplemental draft of USFL and CFL players.

With that selection, the Giants took Oregon offensive lineman Gary Zimmerman. However, he never played a single snap for the team and remained in the USFL until it folded in August of 1986.

At that point, the Minnesota Vikings acquired his rights from the Giants and Zimmerman went on to have a Hall of Fame career.