PLAYER: Johnathan Hankins
SCHOOL: Ohio State
POSITION: Defensive tackle
HEIGHT: 6-foot-2
WEIGHT: 320
The Giants passed on Florida DT Sharrif Floyd in the first round, but they went defensive tackle in the second round. Hankins is a big wide body who will eat up space and hopefully solidify the run defense. The Giants finished 25th against the run in 2012.
It has become clear that with their first two picks, the Giants are making an effort to get stronger in the trenches on both the offensive and defensive line.
This is the third defensive tackle taken in the second round (Marvin Austin in 2011 and Linval Joseph in 2010) by the Giants in the past four drafts.
The 4-1-1: Hankins was a second-team All-American after having 55 tackles last season. He had 138 tackles and five sacks over his three-year career at Ohio State. Marc Ross, director of college scouting, believes Hankins might have played at a heavier weight than 320 pounds this past season, but he is a defensive tackle who plays three downs despite his size. Ohio State was 14th in the nation in run defense with Hankins anchoring the defensive line.
How he fits in: The Giants are deep at defensive tackle for this season with Joseph, Cullen Jenkins, Mike Patterson, Shaun Rogers, Austin and Markus Kuhn.
But Joseph is entering the final year of his contract and Patterson and Rogers are on one-year deals. The Giants are likely going to have to cut a DT since it’s hard envisioning them keeping this many defensive tackles.
Hankins' wide body is the type of defensive tackle that will complement Joseph and Jenkins -- two quicker defensive tackles who can rush, as well.
Projected impact: Hankins might have to sit and learn this season behind veterans like Joseph, Jenkins and Patterson. With a good showing in training camp, Hankins could potentially push Patterson, Rogers and Austin to see snaps in the Giants’ rotation and see some time on running plays with his big body. Perhaps he will see goal line snaps, as well.
But Hankins could be in store for significant playing time in 2014 if Joseph does not return.
What they're saying: "Johnathan is a big wide body, space-eater inside," Ross said. "Got a lot of upside. Not a glamorous type of guy inside but does the dirty work needed inside to occupy people. Powerful upper body. For a 320-pound guy plus, he plays the whole game. He’s only going to get better. To us, his skill set is real easy to identify. You watch him play -- that is what he does. He just shuts people down."