Jason Pierre-Paul was viewed as a high-risk, high-reward prospect when he was drafted higher than projected, going to the Giants 15th over all in 2011. He had played only one season at the major college level after transferring to South Florida as a defensive end following stints at two junior colleges.
The Giants gambled that Pierre-Paul’s abundant athleticism would allow him to overcome his inexperience, and it did not take him long to prove them right. He emerged as a force in his second season, amassing a team-leading 16 ½ sacks in earning the first of two Pro Bowl berths.