NFL Draft: B.J. Hill goes in the third round to the New York Giants
When Dave Gettleman was the general manager of the Carolina Panthers, he was notorious for drafting defensive tackles. It appears to be more of the same now that he is in charge of the New York Giants.
Gettleman drafted NC State four-year starting defensive tackle B.J. Hill with the fifth pick in the third round and the 69th selection overall. Hill is the second NCSU played to be picked, joining defensive end Bradley Chubb who was picked fifth overall in the first round by the Denver Broncos.
"He's an inside power-broker defensive tackle," Gettleman said Friday. "He's instinctive. He's smart. B.J. is a powerful and tough son of a gun. When you see Hill put his hand in the dirt, in a three-point stance, he's shown the ability to get upfield, swing his hips and track a guy down."
Hill had 23.5 career tackles for loss, including eight sacks. As a senior he set a career high with 55 tackles.
“Strong at the point, not a consistent threat to get after the quarterback. … He’s a guy that I think can control the running game inside, give you a little bit of pass rush, but not a real stats guy,” ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. noted.
“He’s a banger, powerful upper body. … I think his best fit is a 4-3 nose tackle, we’ll see how he’s used in New York,” ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay added.
“My comp for him is Linval Joseph, who the Giants took [eight] years ago in the second round,” NFL Network’s Mike Mayock said. “He’s almost the same guy.”
Joseph, a two-time Pro Bowler, has started the last eight seasons in the NFL, the past four of them with the Minnesota Vikings. Hill and the Giants will hope for a similar success story.
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