Former Clemson linebacker B.J. Goodson was picked No. 109 overall by the New York Giants in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft on Saturday.
Goodson is the fifth Clemson player taken in the draft, all on the defensive side of the ball. On Thursday, defensive end Shaq Lawson went No. 19 overall to Buffalo. In the second round three former Tigers were taken off the board, including defensive end Kevin Dodd at No. 33 by Tennessee, cornerback Mackensie Alexander at No. 52 by the Minnesota Vikings and safety T.J. Green at No. 57 by the Indianapolis Colts.
“This is a good football player,” NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock said. “He kind of got lost on that (Clemson) defense. They have all kinds of players running around on that defense. They had two defensive ends already drafted, a cornerback, and actually two corners, already drafted.
“Not much talk about B.J. Goodson, but when you put the tape on, I will tell you he is down hill. He is quick, tough and explosive. He ran better than people expected. I think that is a good pick, especially in the fourth round.”
Goodson led Clemson with 160 tackles as he anchored a defense that ranked 10th in the country and played a huge role in the Tigers’ run to the College Football Playoff Championship Game. At 6-foot-1, 242 pounds, Goodson recorded 5.5 sacks, 14 tackles for loss and 17 quarterback pressures. He also had two interceptions, including one in the Orange Bowl that allowed the Tigers to blow out No. 4 Oklahoma in the second half.
Goodson made quite an impression on scouts during the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis last month. All the middle linebacker did during Clemson’s Pro Day a month later was on-field drills as he showed off his coverage skills. That’s the only real question NFL teams have about the former Tiger, who blew them all away with his versatility, strength and explosion skills during the combine.
“He is a very instinctive player,” NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah said. “When we had Coach Dabo Swinney on before the draft kicked off. He said this guy is going to play ten years. He is what the Giants are looking for because he can play on all three downs.”
Goodson led all linebackers with 30 reps on the bench press and he had among the best times in the 40, the 20-yard shuttle, the 60-yard shuttle and the three-cone drill. His 7.05 in the three-cone was the best in his position group. He also tested well in the vertical and the broad jumps.
“I think (the Giants) are looking for a traffic cop in there,” NFL Network’s Charles Davis said.