The latest Sports Illustrated 2012 NFL Mock Draft has the New York Giants selecting Alabama linebacker Dont'a Hightower with the 26th pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.

The 6-4, 260-pound Hightower, who contributed to Alabama's national championship with 83 tackles, four sacks and one interception, has not yet declared whether he intends to enter the draft after his junior season, but he is highly regarded by scouts.

Mocking The Draft's Top 100 NFL Draft Prospects list rated Hightower the 22nd-best prospect in this year's draft. The site notes that Hightower's power and versatility should allow him to contribute early in his career, though concerns about his athleticism somewhat stifle the optimism surrounding his ceiling. Hightower's game is designed to stuff the run, but he could struggle in pass coverage due to his lack of elite mobility.

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