With The 23rd Pick In The 2011 Stampede Blue Community Mock Draft, The Philadelphia Eagles Select...

Gabe Carimi - OT, Wisconsin

Pick made by chad72:

Besides the fact that he won the Outland Trophy as the nation's top lineman, Gabe Carimi also offered his experience and consistency as being key reasons why he should be the first offensive tackle selected in the 2011 draft. "I'm a physical player who has gone against four potential first round picks this year," Carimi explained when asked why he thought he should go off the board first. In terms of competition, it is hard to argue with Carimi. After all, he faced Adrian Clayborn (Iowa), Cameron Heyward (Ohio State), Ryan Kerrigan (Purdue) and JJ Watt (Wisconsin), who Carimi obviously faced in practice. Carimi identified Clayborn as the toughest defensive end he faced this season based largely on the Hawkeye defensive end's initial quickness. Scouts no doubt will like Carimi's confidence. They'll also like the fact that Carimi started four years at Wisconsin, all at left tackle.

The Eagles surrendered 52 sacks last year. Yes, a few of them were coverage sacks that Vick took but still, 52 was way too many. With the hiring of Howard Mudd, expect that to be cut by about 20 at least. The future of the Eagles depends on the time given to Vick to get the ball to playmakers like DJax and Maclin but they also have another dynamic playmaker in LeSean McCoy. Gabe Carimi, drawing comparisons to Jon Runyan, is perfect for Andy Reid's blocking scheme. Winston Justice, who was benched in the Green Bay playoff loss, will be challenged by Carimi in the first year. The Eagles, for the most of the time, shore up their lines when it comes to first round picks, and Carimi would fit in just fine with that line.

If Carimi is taken 23rd overall, it'll be the first time since 2004 the Eagles have taken an OT in the first round (Shawn Andrews). Also, he'd be the first OT taken from Wisconsin in the first round since Joe Thomas was taken 3rd overall by the Browns in 2007.

Gabe Carimi Scouting Report from Mocking the Draft

The Saints, and chad72 are on the clock...