PLAYER: James Brewer
SCHOOL: Indiana
POSITION: OL
HEIGHT: 6-6
WEIGHT: 323

THE 411: Brewer is a right tackle and helped the Hoosiers finish 15th in the nation in fewest sacks allowed with 12. He is a guy that will need development and is considered to be a "late bloomer." Can improve with his strength and technique. Only played one full season for the Hoosiers after missing the 2006 and 2007 seasons while dealing with foot problems. He played in eight games in 2008 but struggled with weight issues before suffering a severely sprained ankle. Brewer started all 12 games in 2009 opposite LT Rodger Saffold but played in nine games in 2010 after dealing with more ankle issues and a leg injury. He was a basketball player in high school and the Giants like his upside.

HOW HE FITS IN: The Giants needed an offensive lineman and they finally got one in the fourth round. ... Brewer is a right tackle, so he could be a potential replacement down the line for Kareem McKenzie, who has one year left on his contract. But the Giants say he can play both right and left tackle. ... On the left side, the Giants have Shawn Andrews, David Diehl and William Beatty but the Giants could move Diehl to left guard with Rich Seubert on the mend. Shaun O’Hara should be ready to go by the season opener at center after undergoing two surgeries in the offseason. ... They have a decision to make with Andrews, who has a $3.5 million roster bonus due 30 days after the league year begins. Andrews played well when healthy but had back issues. ... Brewer will provide more depth for the Giants offensive line. He will be a guy the Giants will have to develop.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING: "He is a big man," GM Jerry Reese said. "I think he thought he was going to be a basketball player. Not a lot of 330-pound basketball players around.
This guy is going to get so much better with the pro techniques and this being his full-time job. We see him coming in and develop, not a lot of pressure to come in and play right away."

"We would like for him to get a little stronger and learn better technique but we think there is tremendous upside for this guy," Reese added. "The thing about these guys who we call late bloomers, if they are not competitive, you tend to shy away from them a little bit. But this guy is very competitive."