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Let's look around the Inter-Google today at some of the notable 2013 NFL Mock Drafts that have been released this week. We are, of course, interested in seeing what direction mock drafters take for the New York Giants.
[Big Blue View Draft Hub | Big Blue View Big Board]
Draft Tek -- Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri
Richardson is a name I have not seen tied to the Giants much in draft discussion to this point, but considering the issues with run defense the past couple of seasons defensive tackle should be on the table with the 19th pick. Draft Tek says:
The Giants are in a perilous cap situation at the moment and starting defensive tackle Chris Canty could be a cap casualty because of his high salary next year. The Giants are also not sure exactly what they have in 2011 Second Round pick Marvin Austin, who missed his entire rookie year in 2011 because of a torn pectoral muscle and the year before because of a NCAA suspension. The Giants grabbing a talented Defensive Tackle in the first round seems like a logical direction they could take at 19th overall.
I have a tough time arguing with that logic.
[BBV Prospect Profiles | Mocking The Draft]
CBS Sports, Rang -- Zach Ertz, TE, Stanford
Rang writes:
On paper the Giants appear to have filled the hole at tight end with veteran Martellus Bennett and young developmental types in the wings. But Bennett is a free agent. Ertz, 6-6, 252, has the size and speed to challenge defenses down the middle, forcing defenses to think twice about providing help on the outside to cornerbacks attempting to stop Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz.
If the Giants feel strongly that Ertz or Tyler Eifert of Notre Dame is the best player at No. 19, so be it. The increasing importance of the tight end position is tough to argue with. I have a hard time, though, seeing the Giants going in this direction with the plethora of offensive linemen and defensive front seven players they will have to choose from.
CBS Sports, Brugler -- Ezekiel Ansah, DE, Brigham Young
Brugler writes:
Stop me if you've heard this before -- the Giants select the top pass rusher left on the board with their first-round pick. Ansah still needs a lot of work, but his NFL upside will land him in the top-20, if not higher.
This is getting to be the easy, and obvious, pick for mock drafters to make. So easy and obvious, in fact, that I am becoming less and less convinced Ansah will end up as the Giants' target on draft day.