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New York Giants' co-owner John Mara said at the NFL owners meetings that the team would look toward the 2014 NFL Draft to bolster an offense he referred to as "broken" after the 2013 season. Reading our post on the topic led one BBV commenter to say "It is looking like Ebron is the pick."
My response? Not so fast! It seems like Ted Sundquist, former general manager of the Denver Broncos, had the same thought. Writing on his web site, The Football Educator, Sundquist has listed a variety of cautionary reasons why the Giants may pass on Eric Ebron, the North Carolina tight end who would love to don a Giants' uniform.
Sundquist's analysis largely comes down to the argument that tight end has been a low-priority position in the first round of the draft over the past two decades, with only four players selected higher than the 12th overall pick the Giants have this May. Beyond Ebron, there are several tight ends who could provide value on Day 2 of the draft.
Our recent look at the Giants' current depth chart, which did not include the signing of reserve offensive lineman John Jerry, did indeed show that the Giants have set themselves up to target receiving options in the draft. How they choose to do it is anyone's guess, as Jesse Bartolis smartly pointed out in his profile earlier Monday of Texas A&M wide receiver Mike Evans.
My note of caution, similar to those voiced previously here is this. Remember that we are having a discussion, and that we all have opinions. None of us knows how the Giants value any of these players, whether Michigan offensive tackle Taylor Lewan might be on or off the team's draft board, whether Ebron is the apple of Jerry Reese's eye, or really anything. All we can do is take somewhat educated guesses. Enjoy the process, and don't get locked in on the idea that the Giants MUST take a certain player, or that you KNOW exactly what they will do.
They don't have to do anything, and no one -- not even Reese -- knows right now how this will play out.