The New York Giants will select No. 3 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft unless they opt for a spot trade. If they pass, it will be the third time in franchise history to select third overall.
By taking at least one of these picks, the Giants have acquired the greatest player of all time who deserves to be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The other was a little more forgettable.
Here’s a quick look at the short history of the Giants selecting No. 3 overall in the NFL Draft.

Malcolm Emmons – USA TODAY Sports
1974 NFL Draft: OL John Hicks, Ohio State University
Looking to strengthen their line, the Giants drafted offensive lineman John Hicks with the first pick in 1974. He started 14 games that season and finished third in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting.
It seemed like a match made in heaven for the Giants, but this unity didn’t last long.
In 1978, the Giants traded Hicks to the Pittsburgh Steelers for offensive lineman Jim Kulak and wide receiver Ernie Pfaff. However, Hicks never took another NFL snap.
In four seasons with the Giants, Hicks played in 52 games and started 50.
Hicks passed away in 2016 at the age of 65 due to complications from diabetes.


Stephen Dunn / All Sports
1984 NFL Draft: LB Carl Banks, Michigan State
Ten years after selecting Hicks with the third overall pick, the Giants are back in the same position. This time, he mentioned Michigan State linebacker Carl Banks.
Banks spent nine seasons with the Giants and quickly became the best player in franchise history. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 1987, was named first team All-Pro, and won two Super Bowls during his time in New York.
In 2011, Banks was indicted into the Giants’ Ring of Honor.
Banks also spent time with the Washington Redskins and Cleveland Browns before retiring from football after the 1995 season.
In 173 career games (151 starts), Banks has recorded 860 tackles, one forced fumble, six fumble recoveries, 39.5 sacks, three interceptions, and one defensive touchdown.


Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images
1984 Supplemental Draft: OL Gary Zimmerman, Oregon State.
The Giants have made the No. 3 overall pick only twice in NFL Draft history, but they also made the No. 3 pick in the 1984 USFL and CFL Player Supplemental Draft.
With that selection, the Giants acquired offensive lineman Gary Zimmerman from Oregon State. However, he never played for the team and remained in the USFL until its disbandment in August 1986.
At that point, the Minnesota Vikings acquired the rights from the Giants, and Zimmerman was inducted into the Hall of Fame.