New coach, Frank Reich, so that could be it too but still puzzling when you have a DL who grades out that high. Maybe he wants smaller faster types instead of two gap NT/DT types but as I watch Hankins vids he's not all that slow or immobile.
I remember wanting him last year when he was a FA. Yeah he probably a better 3-4 fit so maybe that’s the reason. I couldn’t remember who took over at HC and DC at Indy. Maybe they’re changing defenses.
You may have hit on it mp. Hankins was a 2nd round pick of NY. They let him go when Indy out bid them for him as a UFA. Now Indy lets him go after just one season so whoever signs him will be his 3rd team since he was drafted in 2013. I did some digging and here's what I found. So a shift in defensive philosophy at Indy seems like a probable cause.
As a pure 0 or 1 tech NT he's typically graded out as one of the best and in 2017 his grade (85.0) was higher than Goldman's (76.3). But when moved from NT his grade plummeted. Based on this if we were to sign him it would mean Goldman would probably be playing more at DE if Fangio feels he's more versatile than Hankins.
Since Goldman is in a contract year I suppose Pace could also offer Hankins a one year deal and allow him and Goldman to compete at NT and extend the better of the two since both are only about one year apart in age. It's only a rumor for now and just something to follow but if Pace does sign him at least this info may give us an idea as to why.
From PFF:
A traditional nose tackle selected in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft, Hankins has been one of the league’s more underrated interior defenders for the past few seasons. Last offseason, the Giants added Damon “Snacks” Harrison from the Jets, a monster run-stopper on the defensive interior. As a result, the Giants’ defense was one of the most formidable in 2016, and ended in a return to the postseason for the first time since Super Bowl XLVI. With the addition of Harrison, Hankins was moved from NT—playing a lot of 1-technique over the center (36.7 percent in 2015)—to 3-technique primarily over the shoulder of the guard (80.1 percent of snaps) this past season. The result was a lack of production that saw Hankins go from one of the team’s better run defenders to a poor overall 2016 grade.
Johnathan Hankins PFF grades
Hankins generated just 22 QB pressures in 398 pass-rushing snaps in 2016 (4.5 pass-rushing productivity, 39th among DTs) and finished with the lowest PFF overall grade of his career (47.1, see image above).
A once-emerging young player (Hankins turned 25 years old on March 29) was taken out of his best position in 2016 and forced to play a spot that does not tailor to his strengths. With the Colts, he will likely be playing over the center once again at 0- or 1-technique.
IIRC, Hankins can line up as either a 5T or as NT. Do people still think Goldman can swing outside?
Commented on that above with some stats from PFF to provide an explanation.
When Goldman was drafted there was a supposition he could also play at the 5 tech DE spot before we signed Hicks. How Fangio views that now I can't say but it would seem that if we pursue Hankins it's to play as a NT and nothing else.
I wanted him last year...so I'll take him this year too.
Hankins or Butler? LOL
If we could sign Hankins on a one or two year deal I'm good with that. Having 3 big body DL we can rotate to keep their snaps down and keep them fresh is a smart move. We've never tried Goldman at DE but as I recall he did play at DE at times in college.
He turned down a $7 mil per year deal in NY to take a $9 mil per year deal at Indy then gets released after one season. He may be looking for a multi-year deal but if no one makes him an offer for one he may take a one year deal and try again next spring.
I wanted him last year...so I'll take him this year too.
Hankins or Butler? LOL
If we could sign Hankins on a one or two year deal I'm good with that. Having 3 big body DL we can rotate to keep their snaps down and keep them fresh is a smart move. We've never tried Goldman at DE but as I recall he did play at DE at times in college.
He turned down a $7 mil per year deal in NY to take a $9 mil per year deal at Indy then gets released after one season. He may be looking for a multi-year deal but if no one makes him an offer for one he may take a one year deal and try again next spring.
Hah...both! I like the idea of Hankins rotating on this line...and again it gives us draft flexibility. Butler is a big FAST kid who seemed to produce when he got some opportunities so I wouldn't mind bringing him aboard.
Apparently here's another guy the Bears are bringing in for a look
Bears are looking active on the 2ndry market.
Another big fast WR but somewhat of an underachiever so far. Has never been all that consistent. Still, if we could lose Cam we may as well be kicking the tires of a few others who would come much cheaper.
If we could sign Hankins on a one or two year deal I'm good with that. Having 3 big body DL we can rotate to keep their snaps down and keep them fresh is a smart move. We've never tried Goldman at DE but as I recall he did play at DE at times in college.
He turned down a $7 mil per year deal in NY to take a $9 mil per year deal at Indy then gets released after one season. He may be looking for a multi-year deal but if no one makes him an offer for one he may take a one year deal and try again next spring.
Hah...both! I like the idea of Hankins rotating on this line...and again it gives us draft flexibility. Butler is a big FAST kid who seemed to produce when he got some opportunities so I wouldn't mind bringing him aboard.
Good info on Hankins, Soul. We have no idea what Fang's assessment of Goldman is as a possible 3-4 DE and thats the big question (along with what they think of Bullard having a larger role). EG has some pretty good pass rush moves and IMHO would make a good DE playing at around 310. Sounds like Hankins is going to command more than just "depth money" as he's young and healthy and highly graded. Between FA and the draft we definitely do need another DL to replace Unrein.
As far as Butler goes, I see this as Pace doing his due diligence on possible counter-moves should he let Meredith walk. I'm more in favor of keeping and developing our own whenever practical but options are always a good thing.
At least this gives a few things to observe and talk about in these doldrums weeks before the draft. I'm already starting to get mock-drafted to death with my eyes glazing over and there's still a month to go.
Hah...both! I like the idea of Hankins rotating on this line...and again it gives us draft flexibility. Butler is a big FAST kid who seemed to produce when he got some opportunities so I wouldn't mind bringing him aboard.
Good info on Hankins, Soul. We have no idea what Fang's assessment of Goldman is as a possible 3-4 DE and thats the big question (along with what they think of Bullard having a larger role). EG has some pretty good pass rush moves and IMHO would make a good DE playing at around 310. Sounds like Hankins is going to command more than just "depth money" as he's young and healthy and highly graded. Between FA and the draft we definitely do need another DL to replace Unrein.
As far as Butler goes, I see this as Pace doing his due diligence on possible counter-moves should he let Meredith walk. I'm more in favor of keeping and developing our own whenever practical but options are always a good thing.
At least this gives a few things to observe and talk about in these doldrums weeks before the draft. I'm already starting to get mock-drafted to death with my eyes glazing over and there's still a month to go.
If signing Hankins to be the 3 down NT gives us the ability to move Goldman outside where he may rate higher than Hankins as a DE then I am ok with that. But if Goldman excels then you will potentially have a scenario where he will want Hicks money.