Giants draft Clemson linebacker Goodson in fourth round

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) The New York Giants have taken Clemson linebacker BJ Goodson in the fourth round of the NFL draft in yet another move to improve the league's worst defense.

Goodson is the third pick on the defensive side of the ball and the Giants' first choice on Saturday, the final day of the draft. Cornerback Eli Apple of Ohio State was taken in the first round and safety Darian Thompson of Boise State was taken in the third round.

The only offensive player taken was wide receiver Sterling Shepard of Oklahoma in the second round.

Goodson, who can play both the run and pass, led the Tigers with 160 tackles, including 14 tackles for losses and 5 1/2 sacks. His 17 quarterback pressures were second on the team.

Goodson played outside linebacker at Clemson in his junior year and switched to middle linebacker for his senior year.

''At Clemson I played as a three-down linebacker,'' he said. ''It's natural to me.''

With picks in the fifth and sixth rounds, the Giants still need help on the offensive and defensive lines in their bid to end a four-year playoff drought.

The offensive line needs another tackle, particularly one who can play the right side and challenge veteran Marshall Newhouse.

The defensive line has Vernon and Jason Pierre-Paul, but ''JPP'' signed a one-year in the offseason and his status beyond that is uncertain.

The defense picked up a lot of help in free agency, signing defensive end Olivier Vernon, tackle Damon Harrison and cornerback Janoris Jenkins.

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