In SB Nation's latest 2012 NFL Mock Draft, Ryan Van Bibber used the No. 32 pick in the first round of the NFL Draft to select linebacker Dont'a Hightower for the New York Giants.
Hightower, a 6-foot-4, 260-pounder who recorded 85 tackles for national champion Alabama, left school after his junior season and is projected as a late-first or early-second round pick. Ranked No. 16 on the National Football Post's NFL Draft Big Board, Hightower is primarily viewed as a hard-hitting run-stopper, but has also shown decent skills in coverage.
Hightower finished his junior season with 11 tackles for loss, four sacks, one interception, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. The strong campaign was enough to restore his draft stock after a torn ACL ended his 2009 season prematurely.
Along with tight end, linebacker is likely one of the primary positions Tom Coughlin's staff will look to upgrade during the draft.
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