2013 NFL Mock Draft: New England Patriots add Tank Carradine
The New England Patriots have worked out Florida State Seminoles star defensive end Tank Carradine, and the late first-round prospect has a strong chance of being the next rookie DE in New England. In his inaugural 2013 NFL Mock Draft in the Boston Herald, Jeff Howe had the Patriots selecting Tank Carradine with the 29th pick in the draft.
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Carradine has the chance to be an impact pass rusher if he clears medically, because he was just as good as more touted DE and Florida State teammate Bjoern Werner. By the way, Werner (who used to be regarded as a sure-fire top ten pick, likely in the top five) was picked just one spot ahead of Carradine to the Denver Broncos, who are also looking to add another pass rusher to the rotation.
Before tearing his ACL last season and leading to pressing draft questions now, Carradine notched 11 sacks in a terrific season with the ‘Noles. Some say he has top ten talent, and he seems like the most likely pick for the Patriots if they want to add a defensive end. If they think he is the best player available on the board, then the Pats will take him. I have a feeling the Pats will take the “best available” approach, and they seem to have more interest in a defensive end than once thought.
Howe has the Patriots passing up on Mississippi State Bulldogs cornerback Johnthan Banks, who would also be an excellent pick for the Patriots if they feel the need to go the CB route. Banks goes to the Atlanta Falcons in Howe’s mock, while Desmond Trufant is already off the board to the Minnesota Vikings with the 25th pick. Florida Gators star safety Matt Elam doesn’t fall into the second round, as Howe has him as the last pick in the first round going to the Baltimore Ravens.
The Miami Dolphins stick with a corner by nabbing fellow Florida State alumn Xavier Rhodes, the Buffalo Bills reach and snatch Tavon Austin in the top ten, and the New York Jets take a flier on Ezekiel Ansah, who will be visiting the Patriots.
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