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By Michael Basile @mdoubleJB

The Giants first pick in the 7th round was pass rusher Carter Coughlin from Minnesota.  The 6’3” 236-pound backer provides depth to a linebacker group that looks to improve significantly from a year ago.  It’s actually been several seasons since the Giants have been able to call their linebackers a strong unit. 

Carter could have played ball at Ohio State but stayed at home with a long family history in Minnesota sports. Coughlin was #6 OLB coming out of High School.

Why he’s a late round pick:

He has the motor and knack for being around the ball and making big plays behind the line of scrimmage. However, he is too light to be a full-time pass rusher. He needs an NFL S & C program to build some lower leg power and explosion. NFL tackles can handle him one on one.

14 sacks over two years.

What value he can add:

High-level football IQ and high intensity. Bends the corner well and could be a situational pass rusher or outside linebacker in certain packages. He will excel at special teams and adds great depth to the Linebacker room. He has also been very good at dropping into space. His discipline and ability to keep his eyes up and read will help him make the team.

Straight-line speed (9th ranked LB with a 4.57 40 time)

Expect him to prove to be reliable if/when given opportunities to get some playing time. His football awareness will go a long way.  If the Giants can get a pass-rushing contributor this late in the draft, that’d be great and totally worth the investment. He might have some Dave Tollefson or Chase Blackburn in him, only time will tell.