NFL Draft 2011: 10 Reasons Why the Kansas City Chiefs Should Select Gabe Carimi
With the 2011 NFL draft now less than a week away, teams are desperately try to figure out which players can fill their respective needs.
Like many teams, the Kansas Chiefs will try to improve the overall talent on their roster with this year's draft picks, but none will be more important than their first-round selection.
Last season, the Kansas City Chiefs hit a home run when they selected S Eric Berry with their first-round pick.
This season, there is not a glaring need for the Chiefs, but if OT prospect Gabe Carimi is still available, KC needs to nab him.
In this piece, I give my 10 reasons why the Chiefs should select Carimi in the first round if he falls in their lap. Enjoy.
10. His Intelligence/Mental Toughness
1 of 10
Smart football players and guys with a high IQ for the game are one of the most important things that Chiefs GM Scott Pioli values with each draft pick.
Drafting intelligent players is something that Pioli had a hand in while at New England, and it is something that he has been trying to implement in Kansas City since he took over as General Manager in January 2009.
Carimi easily provides all of this, as he has been known to be excellent in the classroom in both high school and college, while pursuing a degree in civil engineering at Wisconsin.
He is also known to be very mentally tough on and off the field.
9. His Athleticism
2 of 10
Carimi is easily one of the most athletic offensive lineman in this year's draft class.
The former Monona Grove High star had one of the best vertical jumps and broad jumps for offensive lineman at this year's combine, measuring 31.5 and 9'1 respectively.
He can really move around for a guy his size, and he has the overall athleticism to be a great NFL left tackle in the future.
8. His Versatility
3 of 10
During his time at Wisconsin, Carimi was extremely strong at both pass-blocking and run-blocking.
His feet are fast enough to give guys fits who like coming off the edge, and he is strong enough with his blocks to flatten opposing defensive players down the field.
He has the versatility to line up at either tackle position in the NFL; this is very rare for a guy that played exclusively at LT for his entire four-year college career.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
7. His Physicality
4 of 10
Carimi was known as one of the most physical offensive lineman that has ever come through the University of Wisconsin football program.
He often wore down opposing defensive lineman with his nonstop physical play that would last the entire four quarters of each game he played.
Having a more physical side to him is something that will do wonders for Carimi in the NFL, where there will be no shortage of physical defenders that he will face each week.
6. He's a High-Character Guy
5 of 10
It is widely known that anyone who knows Gabe Carimi is aware of his strong character as a person.
He is of the Jewish faith and has strong morals that stem from studying and committing to his religion throughout his life.
Carimi also donated his hair to Locks of Love in 2010, in honor a deceased uncle that he never got to know.
5. They could shift Branden Albert to RT
6 of 10
Current Chiefs starting LT Branden Albert is still trying to establish him as a productive NFL player at his position.
If KC were to draft Carimi, he could immediately come in and start at left tackle, thus shifting Albert to right tackle, which could help resurrect his pro career.
Kansas City can't afford to keep waiting on Albert to improve at LT, and maybe a change of positions could be just the thing that the former first-round pick needs at this point in time.
4. He could make the league's best running game even better
7 of 10
Last season, the Chiefs had the number-one rushing attack in the entire NFL, led by Pro-Bowler Jamaal Charles and veteran Thomas Jones.
Adding Carimi as the starting LT would make help to fortify the left side of the team's offensive line, which already has a five-time Pro Bowler on it in veteran LG Brian Waters.
Carimi did a nice job of run-blocking in college and has a chance to become a dominant run blocker at the next level due to his massive size and athletic ability.
3. He would add some youth to an aging offensive line
8 of 10
It's no secret that the Chiefs had one of the oldest OLs in the league last season.
Starting LG Brian Waters is 34, C Casey Wiegmann is 37 and LG Ryan Lilja isn't exactly a young lineman either at 29-years-old.
KC is due for a youth movement along the line, and with '09 third-round pick Jon Asamoah already on board, landing Gabe Carimi would improve both the talent level and youth level of their current offensive line.
2. He could provide a blanket of protection for Matt Cassel's blindside
9 of 10
One of the main objectives that Chiefs GM Scott Pioli and head coach Todd Haley have yet to accomplish is protecting their franchise QB Matt Cassel's blindside.
They have given incumbent LT Branden Albert a solid look for the last two seasons, but it's time to make change at this key position, and the time is now for KC.
Gabe Camri could be the answer that the Chiefs brass is looking for, as he did an excellent job blocking for multiple QBs as a Wisconsin Badger.
1. He's Gabe Carimi!
10 of 10
It's clear that Gabe Carimi has all of the intangibles to become a very solid offensive lineman in the NFL.
He has the mental ability to know an opponent's next move and the physical ability to completely take them out of the game.
But with so many other needs for the Chiefs, would he be worth a first-round selection in this year's draft?
He should be, but for now, we will all have to stay tuned until next week for the Chiefs answer to this question.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=600 "Post-June 1 Trade Candidates ☎️")
.JPG?w=600 "TO Talks Cowboys Relationship")
.jpg?w=600 "Taylor Heinicke Retiring")
.jpg?w=600 "49ers OC Hypes Mike Evans 🤩")