With the 9th pick in the 2011 TST Community Mock Draft, the Dallas Cowboys, represented by CaliRamMan, select: Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin.
CaliRamMan gives us his reasoning:
This was a tough pick to pass on Prince Amukamara, especially when current DB's Jenkins and Newman were getting beat way too often. However, the franchise QB going out for the year because of a missed assignment is a reminder that we have to protect our investments. Add that to the fact that the running game was damn near non-existent at times... for a group that was once considered a three-headed monster... and the need for help up front was just way too glaring. Looking at OT, in this spot Dallas gets the pick of the litter and chose Carimi over both Costanzo and Tyronne Smith. Costanzo may have the most upside, but he is not exactly ready to start right away at LT.Carimi has 4 straight years of starting experience at LT. That time at the position and the experience is priceless. He is a high character guy with little issues to worry about outside the field (Dez Bryant will have enough for the both of them). He is durable, reliable, and consistent. The biggest knock on him was the footwork in pass protection. I noticed that there was a definite improvement in his footwork from the 2009 to 2010 season. He picks up blitzes very well and knows when to allow the defender to be picked up by the Interior linemen. He is one of the most efficient and dominant run blocking offensive linemen in this year's class. He is a big, technically sound run blocker who takes great angles and works hard to finish his blocks. At 6'7 and 314 lbs this big boy can hold his own against the some of the strongest defenders. He offers Dallas an immediate starter on an aging, patchwork line. This ensures that the team doesn't have to rely on Alex Barron to fill its O-line needs.
This is probably the first truly shocking pick of the draft. This year, there doesn't appear to be any clear cut OT's in the draft that are worthy of a top ten pick. There are a few 1st rounders (or 1st to 2nd grade), but Gabe Carimi is definitely a reach in terms the overall draft board talent.
That saying, this isn't a bad pick. It's sad that Alex Barron is still destroying teams, but at least it isn't the Rams. Carimi is a mean player who is a real fighter when it comes to run blocking. He still needs a little work in pass protection, but then again, most rookies do when going up against the faster, stronger defensive ends of the NFL. Carimi has the capability to be a successful tackle in this league, but he needs a little work to get there.
to look at all the past picks, go here.
RamintheUK and the Washington Redskins are on the clock!