The last time the New York Giants took a linebacker with a top 5 pick, Ronald Reagan was campaigning to be re-elected. That was in 1984 when they took Michigan State’s Carl Banks with the third overall selection in the NFL Draft.
Back then, the draft was nothing like it would come to be. It was held in a ballroom at the Omni Park Central Hotel in New York City with little pomp and circumstance and was televised on a fledgling cable network called ESPN that most of America did not subscribe to at the time.
Since then, the Giants have largely ignored the position in the high rounds of the draft, opting to pick up veteran linebackers in free agency and through trades.
This year, they could break that trend with the fourth overall selection should they decide to put their chips on Clemson’s Isaiah Simmons.
Banks, who is currently serves as a radio analyst for team, would enjoy breaking down Simmons’ game every week.
“If they pick an offensive lineman, I will completely understand the logic, and be all for the move,” Banks told The Post’s Steve Serby. “Selfishly, if they take Simmons, I would be excited that they have such a skill set on the roster.”
Simmons has been a lightning rod of sorts this offseason after bolstering his brand with solid performances in the college football playoffs followed by a jaw-dropping performance at the NFL Combine.
Many scouts are ambivalent about how his game will equate to the NFL. At Clemson, Simmons played linebacker but also was used in the secondary. Some believe his talent will shine through no matter where he lines ups. Others are not so sure.
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