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If you've been paying attention at all this offseason, you know that the New York Giants have been unusually active. They have added signed and re-signed a number of players. Almost all of them have six or fewer years in the league, and came from teams that were in the playoffs in 2013.
As active as the Giants have been in free agency, and they certainly have been active, there are a few positions that they haven't really shored up.
Despite only having three wide receivers on the roster for the 2014 season, they only added one, reuniting with Mario Manningham. And along the defensive line, they signed Robert Ayers to replace Justin Tuck, and re-signed Mike Patterson.
That is likely because those two positions are very deep in this year's draft. While the defensive tackle position isn't getting as much press as the wide receivers, this class is very solid.
So, let's take a look at Anthony Johnson from LSU.
Big Blue View NFL Draft Hub Page
-- Community Mock Draft -- Big Blue View Prospect Big Board
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-- Mock Draft Tracker
-- Would Giants Trade Up?
-- Aaron Donald Film Study
-- Taylor Lewan Film Study
-- Eric Ebron Film Study
-- Ebron's dream of playing for Giants
Pros
- Good size for a 3-technique at 6-foot-2, 308 pounds, with long arms and big hands
- Excellent quickness off the snap
- Flexibility and quick feet make for good movement skills
- Flashes power
- Shoots gaps and can stack & shed blocks
- Young junior, 20 years old
Cons
- Unpolished. Needs to work on technique
- Plays too upright at times, losing leverage
- Hasn't produced up to expectations
Does He Fit With The Giants?
In a word: Yes. He's a young, big, athletic, long-armed defensive lineman who can be disruptive at or behind the line of scrimmage. That's pretty much exactly what the Giants look for along their defensive line.
That's not to say that he would start immediately. Like many young prospects, Johnson needs to learn the finer points of playing his position, and produce more consistently. If he can, he should be a good starter for somebody.
Prospect Video
Big Board Rankings
Big Blue View - 78
Mocking The Draft - 74
CBS Sports - 113
Draft Countdown - 64
Draft Tek - 96
Final Thoughts
There is a wide range of opinion on Anthony Johnson. That's normal for a player who shows more potential than production. Some people will look at players like Johnson and see the player that he his, while others will look at him and see the player that he could be.