Giants Trade Up For ‘Backer

The Giants liked BYU linebacker Bryan Kehl so much that they gave up one of their three sixth-round picks to move up seven spots in the fourth round to grab him. The Giants tabbed the 23-year-old Kehl with the 123rd overall pick.

The 6-2, 242-pounder embarked on a two-year church mission in 2003-04 before returning to the gridiron in ’05.

In 48 games at Brigham Young, Kehl recorded 205 tackles (108 solos) with seven sacks. He also picked off three passes and blocked a punt.

“Kehl is just a flat-out player,” BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall said. “He is one of those guys who is always around the football and is a ball-hog and makes a lot of plays.”

In return for Pittsburgh’s pick that they used to select Kehl, Big Blue surrendered the first of its three sixth-rounders, the 194th overall. New York’s next selection is at the end of the fifth round, the 165th overall pick.