BTB Community Mock Draft: Pick #23 The Philadelphia Eagles Select:

The team most newer-generation Cowboys fans love to hate, the Philadelphia Eagles are on the clock. Closet Cowboy fan JimmyK, who moonlights as an Eagles writer for SBNation's BleedingGreenNation.com, gets the role as the Eagles GM. Let's head to the podium.

Draft Pick # 23

Team Name: Philadelphia Eagles

GM: JimmyK

Selection: (CB) Jimmy Smith, Colorado

Why the pick:

Drafting for the Eagles in these mock drafts is an exercise in futility since the Eagles have either traded up or traded out of the first round in each of the past four years:

• Last year the Eagles targeted Brandon Graham, and traded up from 24 to 13 to get him.
• In 2009, they traded up from 21 to 19 when Jeremy Maclin inexplicably fell to the back half of the first round.
• In 2008, they traded out of the first round from 19, collecting the 43rd and 109th overall picks in 2008 from Carolina, as well as the Panthers' first round pick in 2009.
• In 2007, they traded back from 26 and got the 36th, 87th, and 159th overall picks.

With 10 total picks in 2011 and 15+ rookies that saw playing time in 2010, I'll be surprised if the Eagles don't get aggressive and move up for the third straight year.

The Eagles also have a history of selecting who they think is the "best player available," as opposed to drafting for need. However, if the draft happened to shake out this way, they could take arguably the best player left on the board AND fill perhaps their biggest need (RCB) by drafting Jimmy Smith. He's a physical specimen that's both big (6'2, 211) and fast (4.42 in the 40), and has drawn comparisons to another potential Eagles offseason target, Nnamdi Asomugha.

Smith doesn't come without baggage. First, he's known to have a cocky attitude. That doesn't bother me so much, seeing as the Eagles surely don't regret drafting another perceived cocky personality in DeSean Jackson. What does concern me is his history of drugs and alcohol. At Colorado, he tested positive for marijuana in 2007, and had two alcohol-related incidents. They were all early in his stay at CU, but after 3 similar incidents, you can't help but begin to wonder if it's a pattern.

Last year, the Eagles drafted a full slate of players that were team captains and honor students. Initially, I was convinced that the Eagles would shy away from drafting a character concern like Smith in the first round, due to their recent history of drafting high-character players. But on the flip-side of that coin, an argument could be made that because the Eagles loaded up on high-character players, they've built enough of a solid foundation where they can take a chance on a guy like Smith.

Follow the jump for analysis of the pick.

(AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

-- Drafttek.com ranked #29 Overall, #4 at the position

-- Wes Bunting, National Football Post: #60 Overall, #6 at the position

Impression: His overall coordination combined with his length and ability to smoothly use both hands to press off the snap really reminds me some of Nnamdi Asomugha. Now, he isnt quite as polished or balanced with his footwork at this stage and doesnt tackle nearly as well, but he definitely has the kind of length and fluidity to mature into one of the better press corners in the NFL.

There are tackles in this draft that may be more athletic than Carimi, but this kid has outstanding intangibles and will be a very good pro. He's a good, but not great athlete and understands the game. He has great size to go along with very good strength and power. Plays with good bend and he can move his feet. Plays from both a 2-point and 3-point stance and shows good initial quickness. Comes off the ball with good pad level and can stay low. He is a very good run blocker who consistently looks to finish. He shows explosiveness and power on contact and if given the opportunity, will drive his opponent into the ground. In pass pro he sets quickly and has good mirror skills. Shows a strong punch and does a good job keeping his hands inside. Plays with bend and can anchor. There have been a few times where I have seen him get beat to the outside with speed, but he has the quickness to set wide and stop the speed rush. Overall, he has the tools to be a winning left tackle in the league. Depending on the team that drafts him, Carimi could start out at right tackle. Remember, people thought Rodger Saffold couldn't play left tackle and he had an outstanding rookie year.

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-- CBSSports.com ranked #27 overall, #3 at the position

-- Scout.com ranked #16 overall, #3 at the position

-- Mike Mayock ranked #30 overall, #4 at the position

He had an inconsistent junior season at Colorado, but he's a tremedous athlete. He's long and physical, but he's too inconsistent, which is the reason he isn't higher up on the board.

- NFLDraftScout.com profile:

Read & React: Reads the body language of receivers and keeps his eyes in the backfield to detect what's coming. Reacts quickly to throws in his area to his assignment or another receiver. Likes to attack the run but gets overaggressive, biting hard on play-action fakes. Some of his quick reactions are negated by his inability to get off blocks.

Man Coverage: Physical press corner. Not afraid to extend his hand (usually his left) at the line of scrimmage to keep receivers from getting into his route. Maintains contact throughout the five-yard area. Lined up against opponents' biggest receiver, playing outside and in the slot. Flashes good feet in his pedal, but could be lower and more balanced. Must keep his feet moving as receivers approach when playing off; they eat up his cushion quickly. Flips open to trail even if he plays outside leverage and the receiver runs inside. Uses long arms to reach in front of receivers to knock away passes without interfering. Uses strength and good timing to dislodge the ball from his man while he tries to secure the catch. Fast enough to stop quick screens behind the line when playing off. His hands for the interception are improving, but work needs to be done. Needs to tighten up his footwork when transitioning from pedal to plant-and-drive.

Zone Coverage: Good awareness in zone coverage. Comes off receivers leaving his area to pick up underneath routes. Stays between two receivers on the outside if he sees his safety help has been taken away by seam routes, but will end up in no man's land occasionally not trusting over-the-top help. Attacks receivers in front of him. Size makes him difficult to for receivers to avoid after the catch. His height and vertical make throwing over him and in front of safeties perilous.

Closing/Recovery: Combines speed with length to close on the ball. Good recovery speed for his size, can flip his hips and wrap up receivers in trail coverage. His height and ability to find the ball in the air prevent quarterbacks from challenging over the top. Undercuts crossing routes by closing hard and extending; also takes chances NFL quarterbacks can exploit.

Run Support: Owns prototypical size to be a run stopper on the edge. Effective as a wrap-up or cut tackler. Knows to chase at a deep angle to prevent touchdowns on runs to the opposite side of the field. Usually gets outside position to force plays to linebackers, showing quickness to move around his man, but needs to be more violent with his hands to disengage from the blocks of larger receivers to make tackles.

Tackling: Physical tackler with NFL size and excellent length to wrap, but must get more consistent in the open field. Able to knock away passes and force fumbles while he wraps up receivers. Must drop his hips and break down more quickly attacking ballcarriers on the run, as they can elude him with a quick move or slip off when he tries to tackle shoulder pads.

KD's Take: Jimmy Smith to Philly is mocked many times, and for good reason. His size and skillset equate directly with having to face Hakeem Nicks and Dez Bryant four times a year for the forseeable future. The NFC East is loaded with wide receiver talent, and Smith could be the divisions best corner very quickly.