BTSC 2011 Community Mock Draft Pick No. 17 -- New England Patriots Select Gabe Carimi, OL, Wisconsin

Next up: the San Diego Chargers, represented by J Lee

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With the 17th overall pick in the New England Patriots look to bolster their offensive line, and protect Tom Brady (clearly in hopes of seeing more of these sweet dance moves). While they could possibly go defensive end or outside-linebacker, the depth of their offensive line needs to be bolstered, and Carimi offers the ability to play tackle or kick in to play guard if that is where they need him. He comes into the NFL with all the polish that you would expect from an Outland Award winning linemen and Consensus All-American and the size and attitude that you dream about having (6'7" / 315 lbs.). He's a smart player, who is agile for his size and delivers a strong pop to go along with good length and wingspan that will hold you at bay and quickly put you on the ground.

With the best hybrid pass-rushers gone, and the guy I think they really want if they go defensive end JJ Watt also gone already, Carimi is the safest pick available. There is a good argument for Mike Pouncey, but Carimi's proven ability at tackle and potential at guard proves more valuable than the guard/ center prospect.

His pedigree speaks for itself, per Wisconsin athletics official website: 

Honors and Awards

2010: Outland Trophy winner ... consensus All-American ... Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year ... consensus first-team All-Big Ten selection ... Academic All-Big Ten ... Wayne Souza Coaches Appreciation Award (Offense) ... Midseason: named first-team All-American and first-team midseason All-Big Ten by Phil Steele and second-team All-American by SI.com ... Preseason: First-team All-American by Lindy's and Consensus Draft Services ... first-team All-American and All-Big Ten by Athlon Sports ... second-team All-American and first-team All-Big Ten by Phil Steele ... second-team All-American by The Kickoff ... first-team All-Big Ten by Blue Ribbon ... named to Rotary Lombardi Award and Outland Trophy Watch Lists

2009: First-team All-Big Ten by media and second-team All-Big Ten by coaches ... fourth-team All-American by Phil Steele ... preseason first-team All-Big Ten selection by Lindy's ... first-team Midseason All-Big Ten by Phil Steele ... Lombardi Award Preseason Watch List ... preseason second team by Phil Steele and third team by Athlon ... Academic All-Big Ten

2008: Honorable mention Sophomore All-American by CollegeFootballNews.com ... Academic All-Big Ten ... named second-team Presason All-Big Ten by Lindy's and Athlon Sports ... third-team Preseason All-Big Ten by Phil Steele

2007: Second-team Freshman All-American by Rivals.com and The Sporting News ... honorable mention Freshman All-American by CollegeFootballnews.com ... first-team Freshman All-Big Ten honors from The Sporting News ... UW co-Rookie of the Year ... Academic All-Big Ten

2006: Redshirted ... named UW's scout team offensive player of the week for Western Illinois game

High School: Parade All-American ... rated by Rivals.com as No. 3 player in Wisconsin and No. 30 offensive tackle in the nation ... PrepStar All-American ... ranked among top 65 players in the Midwest by Superprep ... Capital Times and Wisconsin State Journal Player of the Year ... first-team all-state choice on both sides of the ball in 2005 (offensive and defensive line) ... two-time, first-team all-conference offensive tackle ... team MVP as a senior ... earned four letters in football and track (captained both teams his senior year) ... football coach was Mike Stassi.

Bill Belichick is known for taking team captains, and even though I can't find anything saying he was an official captain, Carimi's play and attitude combine, to me at least, to make a leader on the field. His intelligence makes him an ideal candidate for a Belichick-ian scheme, and his nasty nature makes him a good fit for the AFC East and what his divisional opponents like to do. His whole life in Wisconsin and it's harsh winter conditions proves to be valuable to New England, who is no stranger to winter weather in their own right.

If Logan Mankins moves on he can play left guard, if Matt Light moves on he may project to left tackle more and more as scouts rave about his footwork and lateral quickness. If neither of those two leave Patsy land, he can start at either right guard or right tackle right away.  And this is, in my opinion, why he is too hard to pas up for New England as they try and add that one piece that will allow them more flexibility offensively, in hopes their young defense continues to mature.

And, if all else fails, protect Tom Brady should be rule number one for the Patriots.

1. Carolina Panthers -- Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
2. Denver Broncos -- Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama
3. Buffalo Bills -- Von Miller, LB, Texas A&M
4. Cincinnati Bengals -- Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
5. Arizona Cardinals -- Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
6. Cleveland Browns -- 'The Snow Cone Machine' A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
7. San Francisco 49ers -- Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri
8. Tennessee Titans -- Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn
9. Dallas Cowboys -- Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
10. Washington Redskins -- Robert Quinn, DE/OLB, North Carolina
11. Houston Texans -- Aldon Smith, DE/OLB, Missouri
12. Minnesota Vikings -- Tyron Smith, OT, USC
13. Detroit Lions -- JJ Watt, DE, Wisconsin
14. St. Louis Rams -- Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
15. Miami Dolphons -- Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
16. Jacksonville Jaguars -- Brooks Reed , DE, Arizona