NY Giants UDFAs: Can DT Ben Barten fit into the Giants’ defensive line?

Wisconsin nose tackle Ben Barten against Purdue. | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images The New York Giants didn’t go to the top of the market to fill out their defensive line rotation. Their moves suggest that they aren’t depending on defensive tackles to be disruptors themselves.

The good news there is that if they aren’t hunting rare athletic traits, the Giants don’t need to spend premium resources. That opens the door for them to get the play they’re looking for from players who don’t have sought-after traits. Enter Wisconsin defensive tackle Ben Barten .

Barten has started every game for the Badgers over the last two seasons, but hasn’t been particularly productive. He has just 46 total tackles over that span, with 2. 5 for a loss and one sack (both of which came last year).

He does, however, know how to knock the ball down with eight passes defensed the last three years. Barten is a big-bodied defensive tackle who was listed by Wisconsin at 330 pounds and showed up to his Pro Day at 316 pounds. He was listed at 323 by ESPN, and that’s likely about what his actual playing weight is and should be.