3. Justin Pugh

Position: Offensive Guard
College: Syracuse
Overall Pick: 19
Year Drafted: 2013

Justin Pugh was not a celebrated draft pick. Pundits thought his arms were too short to make him an effective tackle. Fans were annoyed that the Giants took an offensive lineman instead of a sexier option.

3 years later, and it is clear that the Giants pick paid off. Pugh is the heart of the Giants offensive line, a line that nearly imploded in the five games that Pugh was out injured. While he isn’t the most physically gifted offensive tackle, he was a very safe pick, and is one of two above average lineman that the Giants have (Weston Richburg being the other).

Look at the Dallas Cowboys. They spent three first round picks on their offensive line, and as a result, they have the best rushing attack in football. Tackle Tyron Smith, guard Zack Martin, and center Travis Frederick are among the best, if not the best, in the NFL at their respective positions.

Pugh might not be as good as any of those guys, but he is still an above average offensive lineman and a leader on this team. Pugh might even get a Pro Bowl nod this year. He’s been that good when he’s been healthy.

Moral of the story: Sometimes the non-sexy picks turn out just as good as the sexy ones.

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Staff Writer at Elite Sports New York. Lead Writer at New York Sports Hub and My Weekly Sports. Twitter, instagram: @skylardarel. Avid fan of the Yankees, Knicks, Giants, New York City FC, FC Barcelona, and Arsenal FC. Sophomore at the College of New Jersey, studying Communication. Aspiring play-by-play commentator. Grew up in Manhattan, and proud to know how to work the Subway system.