Defensive tackle Ben Barten is certainly getting a wild introduction to life in the National Football League. The Giants were awarded Barten off waivers from the New York Jets on Wednesday, filling the roster spot vacated by the trade of Daniel Faalele to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Barten’s name is likely familiar to Giants fans. An undrafted free agent rookie, Barten began training camp with the Giants. He was cut on July 30 to make room for linebacker Anfernee Orji. The Giants moved quickly to get
Barten back when the Jets waived him.
The Giants might currently be a bit thin on the defensive line. Josh Tupou and Bobby Jamison-Travis both missed practice on Tuesday for unknown reasons.
Barten is a 6-foot-5, 316-pound nose tackle who played for Wisconsin.
Here is part of Chris’s scouting report:
“Barten has the physical and athletic profile of a nose tackle, with solid height and weight for the position, though his arms are undeniably short at 31⅝ inches — which also shows up on tape. He is slow over any kind of distance, and his 5.41-second 40-yard dash is definitely reflected when he has to try and chase down ball carriers in the backfield. However, Barten has “big man ups” with a 32½ inch vertical, which is about 3 inches higher than the average for all defensive tackles (and therefore also includes athletic 3-techniques or 5-techniques). That lower-body explosiveness also shows up on tape, as Barten has a pretty explosive first step for a big nose tackle.
“He also brings plenty of upper-body strength, boasting 33 reps on the bench press at Wisconsin’s pro day. He has active hands on tape, trying to control blockers.”
