One of the biggest steals from this year’s NFL Draft where University of Alabama standouts are concerned is expected to provide a solid impact as a rookie. Per a report from Fansided, the New York Giants are anticipating great things from former Crimson Tide defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson.
Tomlinson, a second-round pick, has been pegged to replace Jonathan Hankins – who signed a three-year, $30 million deal with the Indianapolis Colts during NFL free agency on April 13.
Before inking a new contract, Hankins recorded 140 tackles, 10 sacks and three forced fumbles through four seasons. The 6-foot-2, 320-pounder turned in 43 stops, including three sacks and a forced fumble last year – helping the Giants land in the top-10 in both total (eighth) and rush (T-3rd ) defense. According to an article from ESPN staff writer Jordan Raanan, New York believes its found Hankins’ equal in Tomlinson.
Marc Ross, Giants’ vice president of player evaluation, called him “an every down player.”
“Dalvin is strong,” Ross said. “He is country strong, he has a jolt, he has a walk-back power, he is stout at the point of attack, he has sneaky athleticism and every down he plays hard.”
Although he was quality rotation guy/starter in his four-year career at Alabama, the Giants see Tomlinson possibly starting as a rookie over Robert Thomas and Jay Bromley.
“You have to stop the run up here. You have to rush the passer and you have to stop the run,” general manager Jerry Reese said. “I think he gives us a two-way guy.”
With Jason Pierre-Paul, Olivier Vernon and Damon Harrison all on the roster, Tomlinson will have plenty of veterans to learn from as he continues to build his craft. Despite losing both parents to death and suffering two serious knee injuries in college, the Georgia native put in a strong senior season. He totaled 62 tackles, including 5.5 for loss and three sacks through 15 games. Tomlinson’s 10 career pass breakups show that he can affect the quarterback without necessarily getting sacks. He’s an exceptional two-gap defender that helped the Crimson Tide limit opponents to just 64 yards rushing a game in 2016 and five touchdowns on 476 carries.
Stephen M. Smith is a managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @Smsmith_TDALMag.
