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[warthog]

Mel Kiper's Mock Draft Sends OT Gabe Carimi To Chiefs

by Joel Thorman

We now have the final 2011 NFL mock drafts from the two top dogs in the draft business. You can view NFL Network Mike Mayock's mock draft here and ESPN's Mel Kiper has now released his final mock draft.

After sending LB Akeem Ayers to Kansas City in several versions of his mock drafts, Kiper settles on Wisconsin OT Gabe Carimi at the 21st pick.

The Chiefs have a need here and if they want to get back to that power running game that's defined them over the years, and Carimi is a safe pick. Todd Haley will like a player with his versatility and power and the Chiefs have an immediate plug-and-play. Carimi has gone up against some of the best and handled them. Scott Pioli runs a good show, and this is a smart pick as they continue to build a team on the rise.

When I talked with Carimi this morning, the idea of being able to play immediately was one of the assets he mentioned. He says he ran a pro-style offense at Wisconsin and understands the NFL terminology. If that's what the Chiefs are looking for then that's something I think he can provide.

The Carimi pick comes in the middle of a little run on offensive tackles. Kiper has the New York Giants selecting OT Anthony Castonzo with the 19th pick, the Chiefs selecting Carimi at the 21st pick and the Indianapolis Colts taking OT Nate Solder with the 22nd pick.

http://www.arrowhead...arimi-to-chiefs



Mike Mayock's Mock Draft Has Danny Watkins Headed To Chiefs

by Joel Thorman

Well, well, well.

If you noticed in my listing of possible Kansas City Chiefs draft picks I did not include Baylor offensive lineman Danny Watkins. I had him in my rough draft of the list but opted not to include him in the final version because there didn't seem to be any buzz around the Chiefs possibly selecting him.

So of course NFL Network's Mike Mayock -- the best in the NFL draft analyst business -- sends Watkins to the Chiefs at No. 21 in his first and only mock draft.

When Scott Pioli worked with the Patriots, they took a guy named Logan Mankins. I see his reincarnation in Watkins. I think Watkins is a Pioli guy. He's a try-hard kid. He's gifted, tough and mean. You plug him in at right tackle in Year 1, and he'll be able to move inside later, if needed.

When Joe Schmo says Watkins could be the Chiefs pick, I don't think much of it. When Mike Mayock says Watkins could be the Chiefs pick, my ears perk up. Plenty of people have been predicting a right tackle for the Chiefs but usually those names consist of Gabe Carimi or Nate Solder.

This doesn't have the feeling of Michael Lombardi predicting Tyson Jackson to the Chiefs seemingly out of nowhere in 2009 but this mock draft pick is a surprise with about 24 hours until the real thing kicks off.

Hmm.