The New York Giants selected Justin Pugh with the 19th pick in the first round of the NFL Draft on Thursday night. He is the first Syracuse player off the board and the second in as many years. Chandler Jones was a first-round pick to the New England Patriots last year.

Pugh was a three-year starter for the Orange, blocking for three 1,000-yard rushers in his three seasons. He received All-Big East honors during all three seasons as a starter, and was a first-teamer during his final two seasons. He missed the first four games of the 2012 season and SU limped out to a 2-3 start. When he returned to the lineup, Syracuse rallied to win six of its final eight games and win its second Pinstripe Bowl in three seasons.

Pugh played left tackle with the Orange, but his wingspan is considered a bit shorter than ideal to play tackle at the NFL level. He could be moved to guard and said he would like to move to center at some point in his professional career.