New York Giants’ Rookie Defensive Lineman Leads Team In Sacks

New York Giants, B.J. Hill
Dec 2, 2018; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Chase Daniel (4) is sacked by New York Giants defensive tackle B.J. Hill (95) during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

While the offense for the New York Giants has run away with the show after the BYE week, it’s important to recognize the impact of the 2018 rookie class. The significance of running back Saquon Barkley, offensive lineman Will Hernandez, and even outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter have been essential to the success the Giants have enjoyed the past few weeks.

One low-key grinder is interior lineman B.J. Hill. The rookie out of North Carolina State leads the team with five overall sacks and has amassed an impressive 29 solo tackles and 41 combined tackles.

In the absence of Olivier Vernon, Hill rose to the occasion, even drawing great reviews from head coach Pat Shurmur. The new coach stated that Hill might have been the most NFL ready player to have come out of the most recent draft for Big Blue. Now, it’s hard to justify Hill being more prepared that Barkley, but his defensive presence has been felt early and often.

Hill is showing cornerstone quality alongside fellow defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson. defensive coordinator James Bettcher has made it apparent that he wants to utilize his interior lineman to rush the passer. This was a major factor in the trading of Damon Harrison.

How has B.J. Hill looked after the BYE for the New York Giants?

The rookie lineman had a solid start to the season, but just one week ago against the Chicago Bears he recorded three total sacks. With just one half of a sack more, Hill will become the leading sacks record for any rookie in the history of the Giants, well, since 1982, when the sack statistic was born. One year prior to the star being conceived, Lawrence Taylor earned himself 9.5 in his rookie season.

Hill is far and away from the 9.5 goal, but in the age of analytics, he’s close to securing a historic record for the Giants.