The First Overall Pick of the 1951 Draft, SMU’s Kyle Rote was the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy in 1950.  With their selection, the New York Giants believed they had the offensive weapon they thought could lead them to a title.

Out of SMU, Kyle Rote was the first overall Draft Pick in 1951, and the New York Giants had high hopes for their new Back.  Rote got off to a good start, but knee issues forced him to switch to End, where he became the Giants' top receiver in the 1950s.  This is a statement that means a lot, as in the last half of the decade, New York was a perennial contender for the NFL Championship, winning it all in 1956.  Rote became a four-time Pro Bowler and would catch 300 passes for 4,797 Yards and 48 Touchdowns and added another 871 Yards on the ground.