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New York Giants: 5 players who exceeded expectations in 2017

By Henry Buggy

DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 15: Running back Orleans Darkwa #26 of the New York Giants breaks out for a long run against the Denver Broncos in the second quarter of a game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on October 15, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 15: Running back Orleans Darkwa #26 of the New York Giants breaks out for a long run against the Denver Broncos in the second quarter of a game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on October 15, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /
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#3 – DT Dalvin Tomlinson

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – DECEMBER 10: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys is tackled by Dalvin Tomlinson #94 of the New York Giants during their game at MetLife Stadium on December 10, 2017 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – DECEMBER 10: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys is tackled by Dalvin Tomlinson #94 of the New York Giants during their game at MetLife Stadium on December 10, 2017 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /

Tomlinson cracking this list should come as no surprise. The 6-foot-3, 317-pound defensive tackle immediately filled the void left by Johnathan Hankins in free agency.

Tomlinson started all 16 games in 2017. New York’s second-round pick out Alabama was among Pro Football Focus’ rookie honorable mentions after the regular season. He was listed alongside fellow rookies Cooper Kupp, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Christian McCaffrey, Budda Baker, and Jamal Adams.

Tomlinson led all rookie interior defensive linemen with 23 run stops entering the team’s regular season finale and finished the year with 50 combined tackles and one sack. The 55th overall pick in the 2017 draft was clearly Big Blue’s Defensive Rookie of the Year.

While New York’s roster may be in need of a total overhaul this offseason, the team’s defensive tackle position may be their greatest strength.

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