2011 SB Nation NFL Mock Draft: Round 2, Pick 52

Our annual 2011 NFL Mock Draft, with picks made by each of SB Nation’s NFL team bloggers, is in full swing. The latest pick in to the podium: the New York Giants, at No. 52 overall.

Ed Valentine of BigBlueView.com explains the choice, and our own Dan Kadar reacts to it, after the jump. Make sure you’re grading this pick for the Giants, and checking out Big Blue View for all of your Giants needs.

Ed Valentine explains: A classic case of value meeting need. Starting tight end Kevin Boss can be a free agent, and he is not a true impact player, anyway. Backup Travis Beckum is an H-Back. Bear Pascoe is likely moving to fullback. Rudolph is the best tight end in this class, a first-round value in the eyes of many who is found sitting here at No. 52. This is a pick I’m happy to have the opportunity to make. It does not address the Giants’ need at linebacker, but Rudolph is the best player on the board and adds another weapon for Eli Manning.

Dan Kadar reacts: It’s been hard to try and figure a landing spot for tight ends this year, but Valentine makes a good point on why the Giants need one. So why not get the best with your second round pick? A couple years ago, Boss looked like a budding player at tight end, but didn’t blossom.

Rudolphi is by far the best tight end in this class. To get him with the 52nd pick would be a stroke of luck. [Kyle Rudolph Scouting Report]