With the 49th selection in the 2013 NFL draft, the New York Giants added big defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins from Ohio State.
Having let Chris Canty and Rocky Bernard walk in the offseason, it is clear New York is looking to get younger. Apparently, with the addition of Hankins, the team is looking to get larger too.
The 6’3″ tackle was the fourth-heaviest defensive lineman at the NFL Combine this February, tipping the scales at 320 pounds. He is a big-bodied, mammoth of a man with surprisingly light feet — he ran the three-cone drill in 7.59 seconds and the 20-yard shuttle in 4.61 seconds, good times even for players much smaller than him.
The Giants expect Hankins to be a key cog in the middle of the wheel that is their defensive line. He is a stout run defender, who, for obvious reasons, plugs a lot of holes.
He is not a spectacular pass rusher, displaying little explosiveness off the line of the scrimmage. However, with Big Blue’s collection of pass rushers on his outside, Hankins may just be asked to take up space and open up opportunities for defensive ends Jason Pierre-Paul, Justin Tuck and Mathias Kiwanuka to get after the quarterback.
Because of his size and lack of athleticism, Hankins is not an every-down player. He struggles to stay fresh throughout games, usually winded long before the final whistle is blown. His weight will need to be monitored and the Giants would benefit from putting him on some kind of conditioning program; but he is what he is. He’s a big boy that’s going to wear down as the game goes on… just not before he causes some havoc for opposing offenses.
Hankins is not some raw talent. He is a guy who can — and likely will — play from day one in New York. There will be a learning curve, but in due time, the former Buckeye has the potential to develop into a serviceable force in the Giants’ defensive front.
Louis Musto is a reporter and sports talk host for the Sports Journey Broadcast Network. You can follow him on Twitter @LouisMusto.