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Phillips: OT Carimi Expects To Make Instant Impact
Draft Rundown
OT Carimi Expects To Make Instant Impact
Rob Phillips
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
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(Editor's Note: Leading into the upcoming NFL Draft, which takes places April 28-30, DallasCowboys.com staff writers will take a closer look at several draft prospects, including some that could be potential fits with the Cowboys. Today's featured player is Wisconsin OT Gabe Carimi.)
Name: Gabe Carimi
Position: Offensive Tackle
College: Wisconsin
Height/Weight: 6-7/315
Age: 22
Did You Know? In 2010, Carimi won the Outland Trophy - awarded to the nation's best interior lineman - after starting all 13 games at left tackle.
Strengths: He's tough, experienced, and certainly doesn't lack confidence. Carimi had big shoes to fill when he stepped on campus, replacing Browns' first-round pick Joe Thomas at left tackle as a redshirt freshman in 2007. Carimi would start four straight years at left tackle for the Badgers, who won 37 games during that span. Good footwork; plays with good base and leverage, and fared well against top Big Ten competition such as Ohio State's Cameron Heyward, Wisconsin's J.J. Watt, Iowa's Adrian Clayborn and Purdue's Ryan Kerrigan. Versatile enough to possibly play either side. Also a team captain.
Weaknesses: Although he has the necessary frame and long arms for neutralizing speed rushers, Carimi isn't as athletic as fellow top-rated tackles Tyron Smith and Nate Solder. He also battled knee and shoulder injuries as a sophomore and junior.
Sound Bites: On why he's ready to play tackle in the NFL: "Because of the players I've gone against, four potential first-round players I've gone against this year. I have a better résumé of going against better talent than anyone else, so that makes me more (pro) ready. ... I'm physically stronger and have more career starts and better knowledge of the game than any other tackle out there. That's why I'm the No. 1 tackle out there.''
Where He's Headed: Widely expected to go somewhere in the mid-to-late first round.
How He Helps Cowboys: Offensive tackle depth is needed with Doug Free a free agent and 32-year-old Marc Colombo battling injuries. Although some question whether Carimi can be a franchise left tackle, he should be able to step in and start for a team. Although he worked some at guard at the Senior Bowl, he's never played the position before and probably isn't suited to move inside.
Draft Rundown
OT Carimi Expects To Make Instant Impact
Rob Phillips
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
Email |
(Editor's Note: Leading into the upcoming NFL Draft, which takes places April 28-30, DallasCowboys.com staff writers will take a closer look at several draft prospects, including some that could be potential fits with the Cowboys. Today's featured player is Wisconsin OT Gabe Carimi.)
Name: Gabe Carimi
Position: Offensive Tackle
College: Wisconsin
Height/Weight: 6-7/315
Age: 22
Did You Know? In 2010, Carimi won the Outland Trophy - awarded to the nation's best interior lineman - after starting all 13 games at left tackle.
Strengths: He's tough, experienced, and certainly doesn't lack confidence. Carimi had big shoes to fill when he stepped on campus, replacing Browns' first-round pick Joe Thomas at left tackle as a redshirt freshman in 2007. Carimi would start four straight years at left tackle for the Badgers, who won 37 games during that span. Good footwork; plays with good base and leverage, and fared well against top Big Ten competition such as Ohio State's Cameron Heyward, Wisconsin's J.J. Watt, Iowa's Adrian Clayborn and Purdue's Ryan Kerrigan. Versatile enough to possibly play either side. Also a team captain.
Weaknesses: Although he has the necessary frame and long arms for neutralizing speed rushers, Carimi isn't as athletic as fellow top-rated tackles Tyron Smith and Nate Solder. He also battled knee and shoulder injuries as a sophomore and junior.
Sound Bites: On why he's ready to play tackle in the NFL: "Because of the players I've gone against, four potential first-round players I've gone against this year. I have a better résumé of going against better talent than anyone else, so that makes me more (pro) ready. ... I'm physically stronger and have more career starts and better knowledge of the game than any other tackle out there. That's why I'm the No. 1 tackle out there.''
Where He's Headed: Widely expected to go somewhere in the mid-to-late first round.
How He Helps Cowboys: Offensive tackle depth is needed with Doug Free a free agent and 32-year-old Marc Colombo battling injuries. Although some question whether Carimi can be a franchise left tackle, he should be able to step in and start for a team. Although he worked some at guard at the Senior Bowl, he's never played the position before and probably isn't suited to move inside.
