Film Room: Can Johnathan Hankins fill the void in the middle of the Giants' defensive line?

Below a blue and gray sky, the televised screen flashed the New York Giants' starting defense for their preseason opener against the Buffalo Bills. It was a base four-man front and on the nose was the bearded Johnathan Hankins.

The start was the first of Hankins’ professional career. Technically it didn’t count since it was a preseason game, but it was a sign that he is developing and gaining the trust of his coaches.

Hankins was selected in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft, but didn't play much his rookie year. Primarily a backup to then-starting nose tackle Linval Joseph, Hankins rotated in, playing 195 snaps on the season. His inexperience with pro blocking schemes and developing technique prevented him from having a bigger role. Both were a concern coming out of Ohio State.

The unfamiliarity with blocking schemes was expected, but Hankins’ technique needed improvement. He had power, but it wasn't always properly used. He didn't play with leverage and low pad level in college, causing him to look weak and sloppy.

Despite the learning curve, Hankins flashed talent his rookie season. He used his wide body well to hold off blockers in run defense, where he would have graded as the 11th-best run defender at his position if he played more snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. He wasn’t as good as a pass rusher, but he spent this offseason working on his hand quickness and agility through boxing lessons.

Now in his second year, the 6-foot-2, 320-pound Hankins will be relied on to do more. He’ll have a bigger role in a Giants’ defensive line rotation that will attempt to replace Joseph, who left to the Minnesota Vikings in free agency.

“I feel more comfortable,” Hankins told the New York Post's John DeMarzo this July. “I [kind of] know the blocks that I’m getting, just going out there and playing. Last year, I was just out there just trying to make some plays so they could know who I am. This year is [kind of] slow. I already know the defense and terminology so I’m just going out there flying around as hard as I can.”

His first step towards replacing Joseph came in Sunday’s Hall of Fame Game. Hankins played 36 snaps, two more than he had in any game last season, and recorded two stops. He quickly made his presence felt with proper technique, force and awareness.

It was second-and-10 on the first drive, when Hankins lined up at three-technique to defend the Bills' draw play. He came forward hard and fast and punched the left guard. The left guard bounced back and Hankins extended his arms to keep a distance, raising his head to eyeball the running back. Looking to his left, the inside, he closed a developing alley without moving. The runner noticed Hankins and immediately cut off of his right foot to the opposite direction, stretching the run outside and around the defense.

On the second drive, Hankins was on the nose at the zero-technique when the Bills ran a zone stretch away from him on first-and-10. The same left guard from the previous drive tried to down block him, but he was having none of it. He immediately attacked downhill off his left hand, recognized the run and dropped his pad level to take on the block. The left guard slipped off him and bounced to the ground, leaving Hankins to step over his flailing arms to continue laterally and eventually engulf the running back for a one-yard loss.

The key for Hankins will be playing with this same consistency when stopping the run during the regular season. Hankins actually graded out higher than Joseph in run defense last season (7.8 compared to 3.6), according to Pro Football Focus, but played three times less snaps. 

Joseph helped the Giants defense become the league's best on first and second down, according to Football Outsiders, holding offenses to 3.8 yards per carry, tied for fourth-best in the NFL. 

Joseph was a powerhouse in the middle of the defensive line and now the Giants are counting on Hankins to be the same. He has the talent, but if he doesn't have the consistency, they’ll get punched in the nose every game.