New York Giants' 2013 NFL Draft: D.J. Fluker rising out of reach?

For months Alabama right tackle D.J. Fluker has been considered a possibility as the selection for the New York Giants with the 19th overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. Increasingly, though, there is speculation that Fluker might not even be available by the time the Giants select.

Close sources tell me DJ Fluker/T/Alabama is a real possibility for the Miami Dolphins with the 12th pick...more later..

— Tony Pauline (@TonyPauline) April 8, 2013

That tweet from Tony Pauline was backed by a similar one from Chris Mortensen of ESPN, who said Fluker was one of the "true rising players" in the draft.

[Related: Big Blue View Draft Hub Page | D.J. Fluker Prospect Profile]

Pauline had previously reported that the Giants were being "coy" about their interest in Fluker. If all of this chatter proves correct, however, whether or not the Giants are interested in the massive 6-foot-5, 339-pound lineman could be irrelevant.

In assessing his rising draft stock, Dan Kadar of Mocking The Draft says Fluker "certainly has the tape to match his rising draft stock." Interestingly, in listing potential fits for Fluker, Kadar did not mention the Giants. SB Nation has Fluker ranked as the fourth-best offensive tackle prospect in this draft class.

[UPDATE: There are reports that free-agent right tackle Eric Winston is in talks with the Dallas Cowboys. Since Dallas picks right in front of the Giants at 18 that would presumably take one team out of play for Fluker.]