The name Todd Gurley holds some significance for the New York Giants in 2026, primarily as a reminder of a missed opportunity in the 2015 NFL draft. The Giants had the chance to select Gurley with the No. 9 overall pick, but instead chose left tackle Ereck Flowers.
Heading into the 2015 draft, the Giants featured Rashad Jennings as their primary running back. Jennings had rushed for 639 yards in his first season with the team in 2014. Rather than addressing the running back position or other needs with a high-upside talent like Gurley, New York selected Flowers, who faced widespread criticism throughout his tenure for his performance at left tackle (protecting the quarterback’s blind side).
The Miami product started 48 of the 51 games he played for the Giants from 2015 to 2018. He later suited up for the Jacksonville Jaguars (2018), Washington Commanders (2019 and 2021), and Miami Dolphins (2020).
After the first eight picks in the 2015 draft, the Giants had several strong alternatives to Flowers. Here are three notable players they passed on in favor of the tackle:
RB Todd Gurley (Retired)
No. 10 overall pick — St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams
Gurley rushed for 1,106 yards in his 2015 rookie season with the then-St. Louis Rams. The Georgia product proved highly effective as a pass-catcher out of the backfield. He led the NFL in yards from scrimmage with 2,093 in 2017, including 788 receiving yards that year. Gurley was a two-time NFL rushing touchdowns leader, with 13 in 2017 and 17 in 2018. He reached 1,000 rushing yards three times during his career.
RB Melvin Gordon (Retired)
No. 15 overall pick — San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers
Gordon rushed for 1,000 yards in 2017 as a member of the Los Angeles Chargers, finishing with 1,105 yards. Over his nine-year career, he recorded 900 or more rushing yards four times (997 in 2016, 1,105 in 2017, 885 in 2018, and 986 in 2020). He finished with 6,543 career rushing yards and 56 rushing touchdowns.
WR DeVante Parker (Retired)
No. 14 overall pick — Miami Dolphins
Parker reached 1,000 receiving yards in 2019 as a member of the Dolphins, finishing with 1,202 yards. The Louisville product ranked third in the NFL that season with nine receiving touchdowns. Over his nine-year career (which included stints with the New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles, and others), he recorded 402 receptions for 5,660 yards and 27 touchdowns before retiring in 2025.
Other options from the 2015 draft
- WR Tyler Lockett
- WR Stefon Diggs
- DE Danielle Hunter
- CB Marcus Peters
- LB Eric Kendricks
