Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports
The New York Giants added more beef to the trenches as they selected Ohio State defensive tackle Jonathan Hankins with their second pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. Hankins is a big guy at 6-2, 320 pounds but could use a little extra conditioning to add even more strength to an already strong frame.
Hankins is a run-stuffer, something the Giants needed after giving up almost 130 yards on the ground per game last year. He is big enough to take on offensive lineman and move them back to get to the ball carrier. He can dominate against the run, especially when being taken on one-on-one but can still hold his own even if double-teamed.
The Giants needed to address their poor run defense and Hankins fits the bill. He is talented enough to immediately join the rotation on the defensive line and has the potential to become a stalwart on the line. With Shaun Rogers missing all of last season, Markus Kuhn coming back from a season-ending knee injury and Marvin Austin struggling to live up to the potential the Giants saw in him when they chose him in the second round in 2011, the Giants needed to address the defensive line.
The Giants have added Cullen Jenkins and Mike Patterson from the Philadelphia Eagles this off-season to help add depth to the line and to replace Chris Canty. Hankins should give the Giants a very able body along the defensive front who can stop an opponent’s run game cold.
Don’t expect Hankins to be someone who gets to the quarterback. He might do that from time to time but his forte is not putting pressure on the opposing quarterback. He is a run-stuffer and he is good at what he does and is only getting better. You can consider him a little raw with a lot of room for improvement. The Giants can afford to give Hankins some time to develop and if he dedicates himself to getting even stronger he could become a premier run-stuffing defensive tackle.
This was a very good pick by GM Jerry Reese who is focusing on winning the battles in the trenches this draft, a wise move as the Giants had a lot of trouble on the defensive side last year. Hankins should help turn that around almost immediately.
