The Giants.com crew is presented with four statements and must decide whether they are Fact or Fiction.
Lawrence Taylor had the best rookie season in NFL history.
John Schmeelk: Fiction – Taylor made the Pro Bowl and had an unofficial 9.5 sacks en route to Defensive Rookie of the Year, but it was not the best rookie season ever. Aldon Smith had 14 sacks as a rookie in 2011. Eric Dickerson ran for 1,808 yards and carried 390 times in 1983. Ironically, the player selected in front of Taylor in 1981, George Rogers, ran for 1,674 yards and 13 scores on his way to Offensive Rookie of the Year. There are other great running back rookie seasons out there too like Curt Warner, Earl Campbell, Barry Sanders and Clinton Portis, showing that's the position you are most likely to get an immediate impact from. This year, Jayden Daniels (3,568 passing yards, 25 TDs, 891 rushing yards and six rushing TDs) is neck and neck with Cam Newton (4,051 yards, 21 passing TDs, 706 rushing yards and 14 rushing TDs) for best rookie season ever as a quarterback. There are too many other options to anoint L.T. in this category.
Dan Salomone: Fact – Defensive Rookie of the Year, check. Defensive Player of the Year, check. Drop the mic.
Matt Citak: Fiction – To this day, Taylor is the only player in NFL history to win both Defensive Rookie of the Year and the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year in the same season. This alone warrants serious consideration for the best rookie season ever. But I have to go with Rams running back Eric Dickerson, who had 2,212 yards from scrimmage and 20 touchdowns as a rookie in 1983. He led the league in carries, yards, total touches, yards from scrimmage, and rushing yards per game. His 390 carries as a rookie set the single-season record at the time, as he finished second in the MVP voting. Taylor, along with Vikings wide receiver Randy Moss, were both close with their dominant rookie campaigns, but Dickerson gets the nod.
The best photos of Hall of Fame linebacker Lawrence Taylor, who was voted the No. 1 player in Giants history.
New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor, left, shares a laugh linebacker Pepper Johnson during the team's training camp on July 31, 1993 at Fairleigh Dickinson University in New York. (AP Photo/Kevin Larkin)
New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor (56) pressures Minnesota Vikings quarterback Jim McMahon Jan. 9, 1994 in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor (56) is congregated by Mark Collins (25) and Carl Banks (58) after his interception and touchdown run on a Joe Montana pass in the second quarter on Sunday, Jan. 4, 1986 in East Rutherford, N.J. at Giants stadium. The interception helped the Giants beat the San Francisco 49 ers 49-3 in their NFL playoff game. (AP Photo/Ray Stubblebine)
FILE - In a Jan. 20, 1991 file photo New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor runs after recovering a 49ers fumble in the fourth quarter of the NFC championship game to help win the game 15-13 in San Francisco. The two teams will meet again Sunday Jan. 22, 2012 to vie for the NFC championship. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli/file)
FILE - In this Jan. 25, 1987, file phot, New York Giants defense Lawrence Taylor (56), Erik Howard (74) and Leonard Marshall (70) celebrate over Denver broncos quarterback John Elway after he was sacked by George Martin (75) for safety in the second quarter of Super Bowl XXI in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Ron Heflin, File)
Lawrence Taylor of the New York Giants forces Tampa Bay Buccaneer Quarterback Steve DeBerg to throw an incomplete pass to prevent a fourth quarter sack on Sunday, Sept. 24, 1984 game at the Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Ray Stubblebine)
LT at his Locker before his final home game 1993
New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor, dressed in shorts, heads for plane to Honolulu at Los Angeles International airport on Monday, Jan. 26, 1987. Taylor will participate in the Pro Bowl. Giants won Super Bowl Sunday with a 39-20 victory over Denver Broncos. (AP Photo/Bob Gablraith)
The defense of the New York Giants football team shown with their new poster,"The Crunch Bunch" subtitled, "The Board of De-Wreckers," in New York on Wednesday, Sept. 29, 1982. From left: Lawrence Taylor, Captain Harry Carson, Brad Van Pelt and Brian Kelly. (AP Photo/Mario Suriani)
New York Giants Lawrence Taylor, left, and Harry Carson open gifts and fan mail in the Giants locker room in East Rutherford after practice on Friday, Jan. 16, 1987. The Giants leave Sunday for Pasadena, California were they will face the Denver Broncos on January, 25 in Super Bowl XXI. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
New York Giants, from left, Lawrence Taylor, Jim Burt, Carl Banks, and Eric Dorsey pause during practice at the Giants training camp in Pleasantville, N.Y. on Monday, August 4, 1987. (AP Photo/G. Paul Burnett)
New York Giants star linebacker Lawrence Taylor is surrounded by reporters' microphones as he answers their questions during the morning press conferences on Jan. 22, 1987 in Anaheim. (AP Photo/Ray Stubblebine)
Former New York Giants head coach Bill Parcells, left, holds the Super Bowl XXV trophy while joining former linebacker Lawrence Taylor on stage during a 25 year anniversary celebration at halftime of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Former New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor waves to the crowd during a halftime ceremony of an NFL football game between the New York Giants and the Indianapolis Colts Monday, Nov. 3, 2014, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
This Oct. 25, 2009, file photo shows Football Hall of Famer and former New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor gesturing to the crowd during a pregame ceremony before an NFL football game between the Arizona Cardinals and the New York Giants, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Mel Evans, File)
Former New York Giants Lawrence Taylor shows off his Hall of Fame ring that he received during a half time ceremony at Giants Stadium Monday, Oct. 18, 1999, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants defeated the Dallas Cowboys 13-10. (AP Photo/Ed Betz)
Former New York Giants star Lawrence Taylor talks to the crowd during half time of the Minnesota Vikings and New York Giants game at night on Monday, Oct. 10, 1994 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Taylor's old number was retired in his honor by the Giants. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Gatorade drenched New York Giants coach Bill Parcells, right, hugs his top linebacker Lawrence Taylor after the Giants clinched the NFC Eastern championship of the NFL with a 34-17 win over the Los Angeles Raiders at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ, Dec. 24, 1989. (AP Photo/Ray Stubblebine)
Lawrence Taylor speaks to reporters during a news conference held for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's newest members in Los Angeles on Thursday, Feb. 4, 1999. Taylor, a New York Giants linebacker and the dominant defensive player of his time, was elected in his first year of eligibility. He was joined by running back Eric Dickerson, tight end Ozzie Newsome and guards Tom Mack and Billy Shaw. (AP Photo/Michael Caulfield)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Ron Jaworski is sacked by New York Giants Lawrence Taylor for a four-yard loss during second quarter action at Philadelphia's Veterans' Stadium, Nov. 10, 1986. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)
Lawrene Taylor (56) of the New York Giants on the field at Robert F. Kennedy Stadium in Washington D.C. on December 19, 1982.
New York Giants coach Bill Parcells is carried on the shoulders of Lawrence Taylor (56) and Carl Banks (58) after winning the Super Bowl XXV in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Jan. 28, 1991. The Giants defeated the Buffalo Bills, 20-19. (AP Photo/Ed Reinke)
New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor bites on a cigar as he signs an autograph on a football for a fan in the lobby of the team's Costa Mesa, California, hotel on Sunday, Jan. 19, 1987. The Giants arrived to begin workouts for next week's Superbowl. (AP Photo/Ray Stubblebine)
Washington Redskins Gerald Riggs tries to break free from New York Giants' Greg Jackson, on ground, as Giants' Lawrence Taylor, right, moves in to cap the play during first quarter action at RFK Stadium in Washington, Sept. 11, 1989. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
New York Giants Lawrence Taylor, (56), is hauled down by Pittsburgh Steelers center Mike Webster, (52), after recovering a fumble by Steeler quarterback Mark Malone during the third quarter of NFL exhibition game in Pittsburgh at night on Friday, August 31, 1985. The Giants won the game 24-14. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
New York Giants quarterback Jeff Hostetler rolls backward into a handstand as Lawrence Taylor (56) hugs kicker Matt Bahr after game-winning field goal in final second of NFC championship game in San Francisco, Jan. 20, 1991. Hostetler held the ball then rolled into the handstand. Giants go to Super Bowl with 15-13 victory. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
Lawrence Taylor of the New York Giants during the Giants 19-13 loss to the Los Angeles Rams at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on September 8, 1991
Lawrence Taylor (56) of the New York Giants in action during Super Bowl XXV at Tampa Stadium in Tampa, FL on January 27, 1991. The Giants defeated the Buffalo Bills 20-19.
Lawrence Taylor of the New York Giants
Lawrence Taylor (56) of the New York Giants hits Troy Aikman (8) of the Dallas Cowboys during the Giants 15-0 win at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on December 16, 1989.
Lawrence Taylor of the New York Giants during the Giants 24-14 win over the Minnesota Vikings at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on October 30, 1989
Lawrence Taylor (56) of the New York Giants dumps Gatorade during a game from the Giants 1989 season at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ.
Lawrence Taylor (56) of the New York Giants on the sideline during a game from the Giants at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ.
Lawrence Taylor of the New York Giants during the Giants 34-17 win over the Los Angeles Raiders at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on December 24, 1989
Lawrence Taylor of the New York Giants during the Giants 35-7 win over the Phoenix Cardinals at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on September 24, 1989
Lawrence Taylor (56) of the New York Giants hits Steve Pelluer (16) of the Dallas Cowboys during the Giants 28-21 win at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on November 6, 1988.
Lawrence Taylor of the New York Giants during the Giants 28-12 win over the Kansas City Chiefs at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on December 11, 1988
Lawrence Taylor (56) of the New York Giants in action during the Giants 24-14 win over the Washington Redskins at Robert F. Kennedy Stadium in Washington D.C. on December 7, 1986.
Lawrence Taylor (56) of the New York Giants pursues Stump Mitchell (30) of the St. Louis Cardinals during the Giants 27-7 win at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on December 14, 1986.
Lawrence Taylor (56) of the New York Giants returns an interception for a touchdown during the Giants 49-3 win over the San Francisco 49ers in the Divisional Playoff game at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on January 4, 1987.
Lawrence Taylor (56) of the New York Giants waits for the snap during the Giants 39-20 win over the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXI at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA on January 25, 1987.
Lawrence Taylor (56) of the New York Giants celebrates during a game from the Giants 1986 season at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ.
Lawrence Taylor (56), Gary Reasons (55) and Kenny Hill (48) of the New York Giants purées Art Monk (81) of the Washington Redskins during the Giants 17-0 win in the NFC Championship Game at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on January 11, 1987.
Lawrence Taylor of the New York Giants during the Giants 17-3 win over the Washington Redskins at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on October 20, 1985..
Lawrence Taylor (56) of the New York Giants pressures Ron Jaworski (7) of the Philadelphia Eagles during the Giants 17-13 loss at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on October 9, 1983.
Lawrence Taylor of the New York Giants during the Giants 24-19 win over the Los Angeles Rams at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on November 10, 1985..
Lawrence Taylor (56) of the New York Giants in action during the Giants 17-13 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on October 9, 1983.
Lawrence Taylor (56) of the New York Giants pressures Dan Fouts (14) of the San Diego Chargers during the Giants 41-34 loss at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on October 2, 1983.
Lawrence Taylor of the New York Giants during the Giants 15-14 loss to the Washington Redskins at RFK Stadium in Washington, DC on December 19, 1982
Lawrence Taylor of the New York Giants during the Giants 23-15 win over the Minnesota Vikings at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on December 9, 1990
Lawrence Taylor of the New York Giants during the Giants 21-14 win over the Tampa Bay Bucaneers at Tampa Stadium in Tampa, FL on November 24, 1991
Malik Nabers is the biggest challenger to former college teammate Jayden Daniels for AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
John Schmeelk: Fiction – My initial instinct here was to go with Brock Bowers, but he played two more games than Nabers and only finished with three more catches, 10 fewer yards and two fewer touchdowns. Then I took a closer look at Bucky Irving's stats. Despite starting three games and getting more than 10 carries in a game only once before November 10, Irving finished with 1,122 rushing yards, 392 receiving yards and eight touchdowns, giving him 300 more yards from scrimmage and one more touchdown than Nabers on a team that went to the playoffs. Not sure you can put Nabers over him in Rookie of the Year voting. Bo Nix's season also deserves credit with having more touchdown passes than Daniels. He didn't even make the finalist list, but Joe Alt also deserves consideration given how well he played at left tackle all season.
Dan Salomone: Fiction – First off, how about LSU producing three of the five finalists in Nabers, Daniels, and Brian Thomas Jr.? But in terms of this argument, you're probably looking at Brock Bowers as the runner-up. The All-Pro tight end won the NFL rookie reception record chase over Nabers, who finished with just three fewer.
Matt Citak: Fiction – In most seasons, Nabers' 2024 campaign would likely make him one of the favorites for Offensive Rookie of the Year. However, this year's rookie class featured some all-time performances. Daniels is the clear favorite this year, but his biggest challenger is likely Raiders tight end Brock Bowers. Nabers and Bowers had very similar numbers, but the Raiders' rookie finished the year with three more receptions, giving him the NFL's all-time rookie reception record. The fact that he did this as a tight end makes it even more impressive. Bowers was named first-team All-Pro by the AP, an honor even Daniels did not receive. I expect Nabers to finish third in the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year voting, ahead of his other LSU teammate and fellow wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr.
The Senior Bowl has become the most important pre-draft event other than the NFL Scouting Combine.
John Schmeelk: Fiction – It is the most important scouting INCLUDING the NFL Combine. The NFL Combine is great to get measurables and testing on everyone (and eating shrimp cocktail and steak), but the Senior Bowl is the last time these guys put pads on and do actual football things against the best competition available before they are drafted. The Senior Bowl does its own measurements and gives teams opportunities to meet with players just like the NFL Combine. The Senior Bowl also provides player tracking with speeds for NFL teams giving them one-to-one comparisons with players on the same field using the same GPS technology. I love the NFL Combine but give me the Senior Bowl every time.
Dan Salomone: Fact – The 2024 Senior Bowl produced 110 picks, representing 43 percent of the entire draft class. You're not going to find an event like that anywhere else.
Matt Citak: Fact – I believe the top 30 prospect visits are the most important part of the pre-draft process outside of the Combine, but if we're talking about an actual event, then I'll go with the Senior Bowl. Between the practices during the week and one-on-one time teams get with players in Mobile, this proves to be an invaluable part of the lead-up to the draft. The Giants should benefit from having Mike Kafka, Joel Thomas, and Mike Adams all serving on the Senior Bowl coaching staffs this year. With Kafka serving as a head coach and Thomas as an offensive coordinator, the Giants should obtain plenty of intel, especially on the quarterbacks, during the week in Mobile.
Quarterback is the main position you will follow during college all-star game weeks.
John Schmeelk: Fact – This is a very unenthusiastic FACT only because I don't know how much Shedeur Sanders is going to do at the Shrine Bowl, and as of this typing, Cam Ward is not going to be at either All-Star game. I'm excited to see the other quarterbacks too, especially Jalen Milroe, but the rest of the position groups are likely Day 2 and 3 picks. I'm secretly most pumped up to watch the edge and interior defensive line groups. Most of the top players from those positions will be on the field at both all-star games and I can't wait to watch those one-on-one drills against the offensive line. There could be a dozen or more players at those positions participating in the games that will go in the top 50 of April's draft.
Dan Salomone: Fiction – Pro days seem to be the most buzzworthy events for quarterbacks, but the fun part of all-star weeks is discovering those gritty role players you would want in your locker room. It's a great showcase for players from smaller schools.
Matt Citak: Fact – Shedeur Sanders is the top quarterback prospect attending the Shrine Bowl, as he will likely have more eyes on him that week than any other player at either all-star game. Outside of Sanders, Syracuse's Kyle McCord is the only other noteworthy QB attending the festivities in Texas. But it's the group of quarterbacks at the Senior Bowl that I will be following closely. This crop of quarterbacks includes Alabama's Jalen Milroe, Ole Miss' Jaxson Dart, Oregon's Dillon Gabriel, and Notre Dame's Riley Leonard, along with several others. Most of these quarterbacks are likely to hear their names called on Days 2 or 3, although one or two could sneak their way into the first round by the time April rolls around. Either way, these are the quarterbacks I am most interested in watching during college all-star game weeks.
View photos of every NFL player selected with the third overall pick since the first draft in 1936.
QB Drake Maye - New England Patriots (2024)
DE Will Anderson Jr. - Houston Texans (2023)
CB Derek Stingley Jr. - Houston Texans (2022)
QB Trey Lance - San Francisco 49ers (2021)
CB Jeff Okudah - Detroit Lions (2020)
DT Quinnen Williams - New York Jets (2019)
QB Sam Darnold - New York Jets (2018)
DE Solomon Thomas - San Francisco 49ers (2017)
DE Joey Bosa - San Diego Chargers (2016)
DE Dante Fowler Jr. - Jacksonville Jaguars (2015)
QB Blake Bortles - Jacksonville Jaguars (2014)
DE Dion Jordan - Miami Dolphins (2013)
RB Trent Richardson - Cleveland Browns (2012)
DT Marcell Dareus - Buffalo Bills (2011)
DT Gerald McCoy - Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2010)
DE Tyson Jackson - Kansas City Chiefs (2009)
QB Matt Ryan - Atlanta Falcons (2008)
T Joe Thomas - Cleveland Browns (2007)
QB Vince Young - Tennessee Titans (2006)
WR Braylon Edwards - Cleveland Browns (2005)
WR Larry Fitzgerald - Arizona Cardinals (2004)
WR Andre Johnson - Houston Texans (2003)
QB Joey Harrington - Detroit Lions (2002)
DT Gerard Warren - Cleveland Browns (2001)
T Chris Samuels - Washington Redskins (2000)
QB Akili Smith - Cincinnati Bengals (1999)
DE Andre Wadsworth - Arizona Cardinals (1998)
CB Shawn Springs - Seattle Seahawks (1997)
DE Simeon Rice - Arizona Cardinals (1996)
QB Steve McNair - Houston Oilers (1995)
QB Heath Shuler - Washington Redskins (1994)
RB Garrison Hearst - Phoenix Cardinals (1993)
DT Sean Gilbert - Los Angeles Rams (1992)
CB Bruce Pickens - Atlanta Falcons (1991)
DT Cortez Kennedy - Seattle Seahawks (1990)
RB Barry Sanders - Detroit Lions (1989)
S Bennie Blades - Detroit Lions (1988)
RB Alonzo Highsmith - Houston Oilers (1987)
QB Jim Everett - Houston Oilers (1986)
DT Ray Childress - Houston Oilers (1985)
LB Carl Banks - New York Giants (1984)
RB Curt Warner - Seattle Seahawks (1983)
LB Chip Banks - Cleveland Browns (1982)
RB Freeman McNeil - New York Jets (1981)
T Anthony Munoz - Cincinnati Bengals (1980)
QB Jack Thompson - Cincinnati Bengals (1979)
WR Wes Chandler - New Orleans Saints (1978)
DT Eddie Edwards - Cincinnati Bengals (1977)
RB Chuck Muncie - New Orleans Saints (1976)
G Ken Huff - Baltimore Colts (1975)
G John Hicks - New York Giants (1974)
T Jerry Sisemore - Philadelphia Eagles (1973)
T Lionel Antoine - Chicago Bears (1972)
QB Dan Pastorini - Houston Oilers (1971)
QB Mike Phipps - Cleveland Browns (1970)
RB Leroy Keyes - Philadelphia Eagles (1969)
DE Claude Humphrey - Atlanta Falcons (1968)
QB Steve Spurrier - San Francisco 49ers (1967)
RB Dick Leftridge - Pittsburgh Steelers (1966)
LB Dick Butkus - Chicago Bears (1965)
WR Charley Taylor - Washington Redskins (1964)
DT Jim Dunaway - Minnesota Vikings (1963)
DT Merlin Olsen - Los Angeles Rams (1962)
DT Joe Rutgens - Washington Redskins (1961)
DB Johnny Robinson - Detroit Lions (1960)
DB Billy Stacy - Chicago Cardinals (1959)
LB Dan Currie - Green Bay Packers (1958)
QB John Brodie - San Francisco 49ers (1957)
RB Hopalong Cassady - Detroit Lions (1956)
RB Alan Ameche - Baltimore Colts (1955)
C Art Hunter - Green Bay Packers (1954)
QB Jack Scarbath - Washington Redskins (1953)
RB Ollie Matson - Chicago Cardinals (1952)
QB Y.A. Tittle - San Francisco 49ers (Colts disbanded after 1950 season, the players were made eligible for draft along with college seniors. Tittle was the No. 1 choice - 3rd overall - of 49ers in 1951.)
RB Chuck Hunsinger - Chicago Bears (1950)
RB Doak Walker - New York Bulldogs (1949)
QB Bobby Layne - Chicago Bears (1948)
G Fritz Barzilauskas - Boston Yanks (1947)
FB Doc Blanchard - Pittsburgh Steelers (1946)
HB Joe Renfroe - Boston/Brooklyn Yanks (1945)
HB Creighton Miller - Brooklyn Tigers (1944)
RB Glenn Dobbs - Chicago Cardinals (1943)
RB Pete Kmetovic - Philadelphia Eagles (1942)
RB Norm Standlee - Chicago Bears (1941)
QB Kay Eakin - Pittsburgh Steelers (1940)
RB Parker Hall - Cleveland Rams (1939)
RB Boyd Brumbaugh - Brooklyn Dodgers (1938)
QB Ray Buivid - Chicago Cardinals (1937)
HB Bill Shakespeare - Pittsburgh Pirates (1936)
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