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Carousel at Defensive Tackle for the Giants: Johnathan Hankins

by Tom Peticca @peticca95

With free agency in full swing it’s looking more and more likely that DT Johnathan Hankins might not return to The New York Giants. At this point you should be used to the carousel at the position:  Fred Robbins, Barry Cofield, Linval Joseph, Jonathan Hankins…who’s up next.

This leaves a hole in the Giants defensive line that was dominant in 2016. There is no doubt that Hankins played a big part in creating push up the middle for Big Blue, although being overshadowed by Snacks’ dominance, football is a business.  Players go where the money is. Unless there’s huge hometown discount on the horizon…the question will be who takes Hankins spot if we walks?

I’m going to eliminate the draft when it comes to a potential replacement because I think Reese focuses on fixing the offense with early round draft picks. The next best DT on the roster would be Jay Bromley, who we haven’t seen much of over the years but he’s going into a contract year and that means production.  With big money being thrown at defensive linemen recently you have to think that Bromley will be playing the best football he is capable of, provided he stays healthy. Also putting him next to Snacks could only help him reach his highest potential.

When it comes to free agency only a couple of names come to mind, the most intriguing would be Nick Fairley, assuming the Saints don’t bring him back.  However, at 29 he will be looking at a multi year deal.  This would get the Giants a talented player but at a cost that is not realistic. Although unlikely, his name is the sexiest option at $9MM to $10MM a year.

Other than Fairley in free agency I don’t see the Giants making a big name move to replace Hankins, this move is about saving money. So expect the Giants to either stick with Bromley, or go after someone like Abry Jones from Jacksonville, or Stephen Paea from Cleveland.

Both would love to come to a winning organization like the Giants.