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The latest 2013 NFL Mock Draft from SB Nation's Mocking The Draft, which was released Monday morning, is a three-round effort from Matthew Fairburn. Let's see what you think of the haul for the New York Giants in Fairburn's mock.
Round 1 (19th overall) -- Tank Carradine, DE, Florida State [BBV Prospect Profile]
Round 2 (49th overall) -- Kevin Minter, LB, LSU [BBV Prospect Profile]
Round 3 (79th overall) -- Kyle Long, OT/G, Oregon
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Check out our complete 2013 NFL Draft coverage, including a Big Board, a growing list of prospect profiles, interviews with draft hopefuls and much more.
Valentine's View
If this scenario were to play out for the Giants -- and we know this exact sequence of picks is probably unlikely -- I think it would be very difficult to complain if you are a Giants fan.
Carradine has been SB Nation's choice for the Giants for weeks now, and if he shows later this month that he is healthy after missing most of the 2012 season with a torn ACL it's a pick that could be realistic. The Giants do love their pass rushers, and with Osi Umenyiora gone to the Atlanta Falcons and Justin Tuck coming off two sub-par seasons replenishing the thing the Giants' defense is built around is hardly out of the question.
In SB Nation's prospect profile of Carradine, Fairburn writes "Without the injury, Carradine is the draft's most complete pass rusher. ... Long-term, he may develop into the draft's best pass rusher."
A selection of Carradine makes more sense when you do remember that the draft is about the long-term, not just the upcoming season.
Minter may not be the equal of Georgia's Alec Ogletree or Kansas State's Arthur Brown athletically, but in this scenario he has to be considered a great value pick for the Giants at a position where the Giants have admitted they need better play in 2013.
Long is a player we have not yet profiled here at Big Blue View. We have, however, often discussed the need for the Giants to infuse the offensive line with young talent. There is, of course, much speculation that right tackle D.J. Fluker of Alabama or guards Chance Warmack (Alabama) or Jonathan Cooper (North Carolina) could be on the Giants' radar in the first round.
If the Giants don't grab an offensive lineman in the first two rounds, Long could be an excellent option in the third round. The 6-foot-6, 313-pound son of Howie Long and brother of Chris Long is ranked 67th on the Mocking The Draft Big Board and 54th on the CBS Sports Big Board. He also seems to possess the unusual athletic qualities and upside that attract the Giants' attention. CBS Sports says:
Big, physical and remarkably athletic, Long possesses the upside to warrant early round consideration. He is, however, quite inexperienced and therefore a significant roll of the dice if selected any earlier than Day Three.
Compares to: Jason Peters, OT, Philadelphia Eagles -- Peters was originally a defensive lineman before making the transition to tight end in college and ultimately emerging as a quality offensive tackle for the Bills (and later signing with the Eagles).
His impressive combination of size and athleticism gave him a shot at the NFL despite having no experience as an offensive lineman. Long is similarly large and athletic but has two years head start on Peters and, of course, has his famous family to help him get an opportunity in the league. A team willing to gamble on his significant upside could win big.
NFL.com has a second- or third-round grade on Long, and compares him to Brandon Albert, who had an excellent season at left tackle for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2012. NFL.com says "Long’s combination of size and athleticism won’t be ignored by NFL scouts, who will see his great potential as a starting guard or tackle."
Your thoughts, Giants' fans? Would you be happy with this scenario?