New York Giants’ middle linebacker B.J. Goodson is a tackling machine. The third-year player out of Clemson, who was the leading tackler on the team that lost the National Championship Game to Alabama in 2016, has brought that productivity to the Giants.
After playing predominately on special teams as a rookie in 2016, Goodson was handed the job as the Giants’ starting middle linebacker in 2017. He opened the season with an 18-tackle performance against the Cowboys but injuries to his shin and ankle limited him to just seven games.
Still, his performance and efficiency did not escape the eye of the folks at Pro Football Focus, who ranked him third in combined tackling efficiency among NFL inside linebackers (fifth in running game efficiency and fourth against the pass).
Tackling efficiency is measured by the number of attempted tackles per missed tackle. Goodson was third at 26 behind Jacksonville’s Paul Posluszny (28) and Seattle’s Bobby Wagner (44.3).
Goodson will no longer man the middle alone. The Giants are switching to a 3-4 base defense and he will be joined by veteran Alec Ogletree, who will take over the defensive signal calling from Goodson this year.
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