2013 NFL Mock Draft: SB Nation sticks with Tank Carradine to Giants

In its latest 2013 NFL Mock Draft SB Nation is sticking with its conviction that the Giants will choose Florida State defensive end Tank Carradine this April.

By Ed Valentine@Valentine_Ed Mar 18, 2013, 8:46am EDT

The SB Nation 2013 NFL Mock Draft is not changing despite the New York Giants' flurry of activity thus far during the 2013 NFL Free Agency period. In its most recent NFL Mock Draft, released Monday morning, SB Nation draft analysts continue to select Florida State defensive end Tank Carradine for the Giants, something both Dan Kadar and Matthew Fairburn have done consistently in recent weeks.

This week, it was Fairburn's turn. Of the Carradine selection, he writes:

Tank Carradine will be the buzz of April if he manages to work out for scouts before the draft. Prior to his injury, he was the best pass rusher in this draft class, but the torn ACL will cause him to drop.

Valentine's View: What do I think? I think it's impossible for me to know what Carradine is or is not since I have never seen him play. I think I have to trust the evaluation of NFL Draft analysts. Right now it seems that Kadar and Fairburn are projecting Carradine as a late riser if he is able to work out in April. In searching a variety of prospect rankings, I can't find anyone else who thinks right now that Carradine goes in the first round.

[Related: Carradine Prospect Profile]

Do I think it's possible the Giants take a defensive end in the first round? Certainly. Could it be Carradine? Maybe, if he impresses with the progress of his recovery this April.

The Giants always say they draft value over need. Reality is, though, that what a team considers to be its needs impacts how they construct their draft board.

Considering what they have done in free agency -- and what they have not done -- right now I would guess the first-round pick goes in one of two directions. Either the best pass-rushing defensive end on their board (a hedge against a continuing decline by Justin Tuck) or the best offensive lineman, guard or tackle, available. Of course, if someone at a different position they have ranked highly drops that changes the equation. Right now, however, that would be my guess.

Thoughts, Giants' fans?