The NFL draft was extremely productive for the New York Giants for two very significant reasons.

The first is that the team chose several very impressive players, at least three of whom should help them this year. The others are longer-term projects the Giants are excited about. Of course, just about every team feels good about it's draft immediately after it concludes.

But the early indications are that their giddiness is justified. This could prove to be the finest Giants' draft in a long time.

The draft was also important for the Giants not just because of the players they selected, but how they selected them.

This was Jim Fassel's first draft as the Giants' head coach. The scouting department, led by personnel director Tom Boisture, general manager George Young and Fassel and his coaches concentrated on picking players instead of picking on each other. The cooperation and harmony in the draft room was virtually unprecedented.

Fassel did detailed studies of many players on his own. He presented his opinions to the scouting department, which often agreed with his assessment -- most significantly on first-round choice Ike Hilliard.

When there was a disagreement, the different factions in the draft room quickly came to a consensus.

That was in sharp contrast to the four-year Dan Reeves era, which concluded in December. Near the top of Reeves' agenda was always gaining more decision-making power on draft day. But that was impossible in the Giants' long-established organizational structure.

Each year, Reeves and his coaches disliked more and more of the players favored by Young and the scouting department. And if Boisture and his boys were down on somebody, Reeves often favored him.

It was an uncomfortable, unproductive working environment. Not coincidentally, recent Giants' drafts, particularly their top picks, have not been very good.

But several members of the organization said the atmosphere in this year's draft room was tension-free. Fassel, an assistant with the Giants in 1991-92, is a team player. He demanded that the coaches work in concert with everyone else.

The result was a draft in which every pick seemed to satisfy everyone.

Starting in August, we'll see if that optimism is justified.

ROUND-BY-ROUND ANALYSIS

Round 1/7 -- Ike Hilliard, WR, Florida

The Giants were last in the NFL in total offense in 1996 and at the bottom in passing yardage each of the last two seasons. They have not had a Pro Bowl receiver since 1968. Fassel hopes Hilliard can replace steady but unspectacular Chris Calloway as the starting flanker and give the offense a dash of flash it badly needs. The Giants especially like the way Hilliard can adjust to wherever the ball is thrown, an important skill in Giants Stadium, where the wind blows and the quarterback is not always accurate. This was a surprise pick, but a good and necessary one.

Round 2/36, Tiki Barber, RB, Virginia

Another category in which the Giants finished dead last in `96: Third-down conversions. They were successful just 27.2 percent of the time. They have not had a reliable third-down back since David Meggett bolted as a free agent following the 1994 season. Barber, who reminds Fassel of Meggett and Larry Centers (he coached both) will fill that role. He will also return punts and kickoffs and spell Rodney Hampton and Tyrone Wheatley. Might be the most logical pick by any team in the draft.

Round 3/68, Ryan Phillips, LB, Idaho

The Giants love his pass-rush ability and his non-stop motor. They flew a scout to Idaho last Friday to examine Phillips' injured hamstring. Phillips passed the exam. Although Phillips is known for pressuring the quarterback, the Giants will start him at strong outside linebacker, where he could push Corey Miller. They will also use him as a situational pass rusher. But Phillips could prove to be a project, and if he is, the Giants reached a little here.

Round 3/95 -- Brad Maynard, P, Ball State

Since 1985, Sean Landeta and Mike Horan have done virtually all of the punting for the Giants. Horan was cut in February, leaving the Giants searching for a replacement. They believe they found him with the best punter in the draft. The Giants wanted to make sure they grabbed him on Day One, fearing another team would take a shot at him after thinking about it overnight. Maynard should have little competition in training camp. He may also become Brad Daluiso's holder. Outstanding pick.

Round 4/103 -- Pete Monty, LB, Wisconsin

Monty is a run-stopper who always seems to be around the ball. The Giants will start him at middle linebacker, where he should push out last year's backup, Doug Colman, and could challenge incumbent Corey Widmer. Might also play on some special teams. The Giants needed depth and young legs at linebacker and Monty gives them that.

Round 5/136, Sam Garnes, S, Cincinnati

The Giants wanted to take Notre Dame tight end Pete Chryplewicz here, but Detroit grabbed him one spot earlier. But the Giants are happy to have Garnes, a Bronx native who is just as thrilled to be coming home. If Garnes were a little better in pass coverage, he might contend for the starting strong safety job. It's too bad he's not, because that's where the Giants need help. This year, Garnes will probably be a reserve. The Giants also expect him to contribute on several special teams.

Round 6/171, Mike Cherry, QB, Murray State

The Giants didn't expect to pick a quarterback in this draft. But their grade was so high on Cherry they simply couldn't pass him up. He will probably push out Stan White as the team's No. 3 signal-caller, behind Dave Brown and Danny Kanell. Then he'll spend the season watching from the sideline. Not a particularly helpful pick.

Round 7/208, Matt Keneley, DT, USC

Like Cherry, Keneley is a pick at a position where the Giants have plenty of bodies. The difference is that he has a chance to shove a few aside and help as a reserve this year. Keneley is a high-motor player, which the Giants have lacked on the defensive front. He's just a seventh-round pick, but if he can come in and set an example with his effort and desire, the Giants made a good late selection.