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NFL free agency: NY Giants re-sign DT Austin Johnson

By Matt Lombardo

Andy Dalton #14 of the Dallas Cowboys in action against Austin Johnson #98 of the New York Giants (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Andy Dalton #14 of the Dallas Cowboys in action against Austin Johnson #98 of the New York Giants (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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The NY Giants re-signed defensive tackle Austin Johnson Monday, keeping quality depth along the defensive line and as an insurance policy against a possible Dalvin Tomlinson departure

The NY Giants made their first move during the legal tampering period ahead of NFL free agency, re-signing defensive tackle Austin Johnson, league sources confirm to GMenHQ.

ESPN’s Dan Graziano was first to report Johnson’s signing.

Johnson, 26, a former second-round pick of the Tennessee Titans out of Penn State, signed with the NY Giants as a free agent last spring and proved to be a solid run-stuffer as part of New York’s defensive line rotation.

In his first season in East Rutherford, reunited with his collegiate position coach, Sean Spencer, Johnson produced 16 total tackles with one sack and he made seven run stops.

Bringing Johnson back provides quality depth at one of the deepest positions on the roster. But, Johnson also serves as an insurance policy in the event that the NY Giants are unable to re-sign defensive lineman Dalvin Tomlinson or are forced to rescind the franchise tag on Leonard Williams because they are unable to come to terms on a long-term contract that would lower the veteran’s cap hit in 2021.

Matt Lombardo is the site expert for GMenHQ, and writes Between The Hash Marks each Wednesday for FanSided. Follow Matt on Twitter: @MattLombardoNFL.

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