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New York Giants: Grades for all six draft picks

By Henry Buggy

ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: Saquon Barkley of Penn State poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being picked #2 overall by the New York Giants during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: Saquon Barkley of Penn State poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being picked #2 overall by the New York Giants during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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RALEIGH, NC – OCTOBER 08: B.J. Hill #98 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack celebrates after a win against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Carter Finley Stadium on October 8, 2016 in Raleigh, North Carolina. North Carolina State won 10-3. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC – OCTOBER 08: B.J. Hill #98 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack celebrates after a win against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Carter Finley Stadium on October 8, 2016 in Raleigh, North Carolina. North Carolina State won 10-3. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

B.J. Hill – Grade: B

Versatility and athleticism were key factors in New York’s defensive selections. After taking Carter at No. 66 overall, the Giants selected Hill with the 69th pick.

The 6-foot-3, 311-pound defensive lineman was projected to be a third-round pick, so the Giants didn’t reach or get a steal in the N.C. State prospect. What they did get is a versatile defensive lineman with upside potential.

Hill is best suited to play nose tackle or defensive tackle at the next level. But he also has the athleticism to bump outside and line up as a 3-4 defensive end, which may be needed.

Since the Giants didn’t necessarily get great value in the selection but did get a versatile defender that fits Bettcher’s scheme, Gettleman gets a B grade for New York’s second third-round selection.

Hill could easily prove to be a draft steal in time, but there was plenty of talent still on the board when he was selected. USC’s Rasheem Green, Stanford’s Harrison Phillips, Fort Hays State’s Nathan Shepherd, Florida State’s Derrick Nnadi, and Ohio State’s Sam Hubbard were just some of the notable prospects selected after Hill in the third-round.

How the Giants use Hill will also determine the value of this selection. If they plan to just use him as a rotational player, then the selection may be viewed as a reach.

At the same time, the Philadelphia Eagles dominated opposing teams due to their depth on the defensive line. Their 2017 first-round pick Derek Barnett didn’t start a game but still had a significant impact in their Super Bowl winning season.

The hope is that Hill can fill multiple roles for the Giants defense. He can alleviate some of the workload on star defensive lineman Damon Harrison at nose tackle. He can rotate with Harrison and Dalvin Tomlinson at defensive tackle when Big Blue runs a 4-3 front. And he has the potential to take on a larger role as a 3-4 defensive end if needed.

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