2016 NFL Draft: Is Jonathan Bullard a good value pick for the Giants?

The New York Giants have almost completely rebuilt their defensive line over the course of the 2016 offseason. They started by re-signing Jason Pierre-Paul, then followed that up with the well-publicized moves of adding Olivier Vernon and Damon Harrison to the returning Johnathan Hankins. The Giants' entire starting defensive line is now under the age of 27 and has a history of being both disruptive and productive.

But their depth is largely an unknown. Kerry Wynn and Jay Bromley are the most sure, both having played with some success the past two years, but Owa Odighizuwa, Montori Hughes, and Louis Nix are question marks. Promising, but question marks.

All that means that work the Giants have done thus far shouldn't deter them from adding another defensive line player if one should be available at a good value. Florida's Jonathan Bullard isn't getting much national publicity, but he is getting a strong following, but is he a good fit for the Giants?

Measurables

Pros

• Good natural leverage. Lack of height combined with stout build helps him get under blockers' pads
• Plays with good power.
• Shows a good motor in pursuit.
• Disciplined against athletic quarterbacks and shows a good awareness of the play.

Cons

• Limited athletically. Only average explosiveness and limited short area quickness.
• Schematically limited.
• Conditioning concerns late in games. Appeared gassed late in games (such as vs. Ole Miss)

Prospect Video

Big Board Rankings

Big Blue View - 42nd

Mocking The Draft - 32nd

CBS - 41st

Draft Tek - 47th

Does He Fit With the Giants?

Probably not.

I can't give a definitive "No" because we don't actually know what Spags' plans for the defense are at this point. To my eye Bullard looks like a 5-technique in a 1-gap 3-4 defense (such as Denver, Baltimore, Chicago, or Houston play), or an undersized 3-technique defensive tackle in a four-man front.

He is mis-cast as a 4-3 defensive end. Though the Giants will likely want to have a more "multiple" defense, if they continue to play the majority of their snaps in a base 4-3 (or 4-2) front, Bullard would likely just be a complimentary player and not make much of an impact.

While the Giants could use a dedicated under tackle (3-technique) if Jay Bromley isn't able to return to the kind of form he showed coming out of college, I don't think that player is Bullard. If that's a player they want to draft, I'd look at Sheldon Rankins at 10th overall, or Kenny Clark and even Javon Hargrave (who's ability to flow through gaps is absolutely uncanny) in the second.

Final Thoughts

There's a lot to like about Jonathan Bullard. Just as a football player his power, motor, and discipline are admirable. But I don't see the kind of burst or agility he would need to be a consistent threat off the edge in a 4-3 front