FanPost

GGN Mock Draft: 21st Pick - KC Chiefs select Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin

Gabe-carimi1_medium

via draftbreakdown.com

The Kansas City Chiefs are a team that are on the way up. They have established themselves as a team that should be a consistent threat to the contenders of the AFC East. To me, they are very similar to our New York Jets. They are built around an amazing rushing game which features Jamaal Charles, Dexter McCluster, and Thomas Jones. They have an ever improving QB in Matt Cassell and a real #1 receiver in Dwayne Bowe. Their defense is very solid and will continue to improve under that coaching staff.

The one place that the Chiefs need to improve the most is on the Offensive Line. Matt Cassell was sacked 45 times last year, which puts them at 6th most sacks in the league. With that in mind, they need to draft someone who is capable of protecting the blind side in the future and also making an immediate impact.

Football.about.com has the vitals on Gabe Carimi:

Position: Offensive Tackle
School: Wisconsin
Year: Senior
Height: 6-6
Weight: 320
40-Yard Dash: 5.40

Strengths:

  • Great size and strength
  • Has good short-range quickness despite lacking overall speed
  • Good hands, delivers a strong punch off the line
  • Physical player with a little bit of a nasty streak
  • Has a good power base when he plays with proper leverage
  • Effective run blocker
  • Great work ethic and intangibles

Weaknesses:

  • Marginal athletic ability
  • Lacks the agility and quick feet to handle elite speed rushers
  • Tends to reach for blocks at times and doesn't maintain good balance because of it
  • Doesn't have the long arms you look for in an elite pass blocker
  • Plays with his pads too high at times, which allows defenders to push him into the backfield
  • Doesn't always finish off his blocks aggressively

He has the experience to come in and make an immediate impact. He lacks some physical attributes, but sometimes intangibles and hard work can make up for a lack of physical qualities. He can come in immediately and provide depth to the line and can be developed into a top flight tackle with the right coaching. He might be a bit of a reach, but I believe he is the best OT left in the draft and the Chiefs really have to improve their line. Their might be better players available, but the Chiefs are at a point where they can reach a bit if it will help improve their team immediately. In a draft with very few guarantees, I think Carimi is a solid pick in the late portion of the 1st round.

Just for anyone wondering, this is what we have so far in the Mock Draft. At the 21st pick, it took me a little while to make sure my guy wasn't already taken. This is the list in one place that can be referenced for the next couple of picks.

  1. Carolina Panthers: Julio Jones, WR, Alabama

  2. Denver Broncos: Marcell Dareus, DT,

  3. Buffalo Bills: Cam Newton, QB, Auburn

  4. Cincinnati Bengals: Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson

  5. Arizona Cardinals, Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M

  6. Cleveland Browns: AJ Green, WR, Georgia

  7. San Francisco 49ers: Patrick Peterson CB, LSU

  8. Tennessee Titans: Blaine Gabbert, QB, Mizzou

  9. Dallas Cowboys, Tyron Smith, T, USC

  10. Washington Redskins: Robert Quinn, DE/OLB, North Carolina

  11. Houston Texans: Nick Fairley DT Auburn

  12. Minnesota Vikings: Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas

  13. Detroit Lions: Nate Solder, OT, Colorado

  14. St. Louis Rams: Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska

  15. MIAMI DOLPHINS: Julius Thomas, TE, Portland State

  16. Jacksonville Jaguars: Ryan Kerrigan DE/Purdue

  17. New England Patriots: Aldon Smith OLB/Missouri

  18. San Diego Chargers: Cameron Jordan, DE, California

  19. New York Giants: Anthony Castonzo, Offensive Tackle, BC

  20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Cameron Heyward, Defensive End, Ohio State

  21. KC Chiefs: Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin

    This is a FanPost written by a registered member of this site. The views expressed here are those of the author alone and not those of anybody affiliated with Gang Green Nation or SB Nation.