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[Updated with quotes from Ellis]
The New York Giants will sign massive defensive tackle Kenrick Ellis to a one-year contract. The news was first reported by Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports 1 and has since been confirmed by the team.
Ellis, a 6-foot-5, 346-pound run-stuffing tackle, was drafted by the New York Jets in the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft out of Hampton University. He spent his first four seasons with the Jets.
"I am a run-stopper and I like doing it," Ellis said in a release from the Giants. "That is the strength of my game. I look forward to helping the Giants get back to their glory.
"By default, that's who I am. I'm a journeyman. I come in and do my job. You don't get much recognition for it, but you get the job done and it helps out the team. I'll take on the double-teams and take on the work no one else wants to do. It's just who I am. I take pride in what I do, which is being a big man in the middle and try to make sure no one runs the ball."
Ellis, 27, has just five starts in 47 career games, spending most of his time as the Jets' backup nose tackle in their 3-4 defense.
We talked on Tuesday about Ellis, but let's revisit what Pro Football Focus had to say about him:
Ellis fits the bill as a run stopper. He's played in the shadow of one of the league's best run stopping nose tackles in Damon Harrison the last couple years, but Ellis always showed well when given an opportunity. He graded at +2.3 against the run on 158 snaps in 2014 after posting an impressive +14.0 run-stopping grade on only 210 snaps in 2013. He's similar to Dan Williams as two-down nose tackle appears to be his best and only fit, but it's a valuable role to fill and Ellis appears ready to step into a bigger role as he hits free agency.
The Giants were last in the league against the run a season ago, surrendering 4.9 yards per attempt. They finished 30th in rushing yards allowed per game, giving up 135.1. As a rotational player, Ellis could help in that category. He also figures to see action in short-yardage and goal-line situations.
Veteran Mike Patterson, with the Giants the past two seasons, is a free agent. You wonder if the Ellis signing brings his time with the Giants to an end.