2011 BGN Community Mock Draft Pick #54: The Philadelphia Eagles

With the fifty-fourth pick in the 2011 BGN Mock Draft, anuj selects...

Clint Boling - OT/OG, Georgia

Going into the 2011 NFL Draft, many people agree the two largest needs for the Eagles are cornerback and tackle. A presence is needed next to Asante Samuel, which was proven when Dimirti Patterson sucked it up last season while filling in for an injured Ellis Hobbs. Route36 provided the Eagles with a corner in the first round, Brandon Harris.

However, Big Red and I were out of the building getting some cheesesteaks and Route ended up making the pick since we did not getting it back in time. It wasn't a pleasant sight when Andy found out. However, I was able to calm Andy down, "It couldn't be helped Andy, Jimmy was off the board. Please Andy, he is only an intern! Don't scare the poor child!" Finally, some more cheesesteaks were able to sooth the big man over.

So, with Andy and I back in the driver's seat, we began to work with what we had already drafted. Since we already had Harris, Andy sent Howie to start calling  Nnamdi Asomugha to work out a long-term contract. He also told Route "Run along, and watch Howie. Learn how the big boys do it." Now we decide to solve our second problem, a tackle to shore up Michael Vick's blind side.

With the top six tackles off the board, the only one left looking at in the second was Benjamin Ijalana, Villanova's tackle slash guard. However, his lack of upper-level competition holds me back. I decide to look at the rest of the tackles on our board, but Big Red fell asleep on the sheet of paper and soaked it with his drool. I knew feeding him this early was a bad idea. So I turn to tradition and pick up the Eagles guard board. Knowing we needed a flexible player with the ability to play both tackle and guard, I find the perfect fit. With the fifty-third pick in the 2011 BGN Mock Draft, the Philadelphia Eagles select Clint Boling, OG/OT, University of Georgia.

More after the jump...

Ok, before I start, I admit, I am a bit of a Georgia homer. Remember Knowshon? However, Georgia does have a history of dishing out good players lately. In '09, Matthew Stafford was the first overall pick and, injuries aside, is helping turn the Lions' organization around. Along with Knowshon, Mohamed Massaquoi is becoming a good possession receiver for the Browns and Asher Allen is starting for the Vikings at cornerback. In '10, the Eagles picked one of the five Dawgs drafted in Jeff Owens. I think everyone can agree that he was a good pick in the seventh. This year, receiver A.J. Green and defensive end Justin Houston are slated to go in the first round. The next Dawg that will go off the board is Clint Boling.

Boling is a four year starter for the Dawgs. He was a part of the heralded line during Stafford's final year at UGa. Although originally a guard, Boling was forced to play left tackle due to the injuries of then starter Trinton Sturdivant. Checking in at 6'5 and 315 lbs, Boling has the size to play both tackle and guard.

I am going to start with the negatives of Boling. One of the biggest knocks against him is that he is not athletically gifted enough to play outside. Although a heralded technician, he also does not use his hands well enough in pass blocking. He is slated to play guard at the pro level, however, many analysts did not consider that Howard Mudd would be coaching Boling.

Boling is a shift player for his weight, running a 5.09 in his 40-yard dash. His footwork is good, but can become excellent with Mudd. What makes him the most appetizing to both Big Red and Mudd is not his versatility, but his football IQ. Boling's ability to locate blocks, pick up blitzes and get to the second level is something that Mudd will be able to utilize and enhance. His strong fundamentals and great usage of body leverage can help him excel in not only the guard spot but at right tackle as well. Remember, Boling played four years against the strengths of the SEC. That is what helps him stick out compared to Ijalana, who played at Villanova. Playing OT against the SEC's elite, combined with the coaching of Mudd, should help Boling become the future right tackle of the Eagles. At worst, he will become a fixture at guard along with Todd Herremans.

Boling is also a solid run blocker, something LeSean McCoy will love. Despite having an overall bad 2010 season, the Georgia Bulldogs gained 1,854 yards on the ground. Their two backs averaged 5.2 and 5.4 yards a carry. Also consider that the Dawg's offense was ran by a freshman quarterback, one would have to be impressed by the job the offensive line did, headed by Clint Boling.

Solid run blocker, flexibility at tackle or guard, smart, strong and a great mean streak, Boling is everything Howard Mudd can ask for and has the ability and work ethic to become a solid fixture on the Eagles' line for years to come.

Next on the clock will be henry-dekoeyer-eagle-fan with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Previous Picks: 1 - Nick Fairley 2 - Patrick Peterson 3 - Blaine Gabbert 4 - Cam Newton 5 - Von Miller 6 - Marcell Dareus 7 - Prince Amukamara 8 - A.J. Green 9 - Da'Quan Bowers 10 - Corey Liuget 11 - Robert Quinn 12 - Julio Jones 13 - Tyron Smith 14 - Jimmy Smith 15 - Mark Ingram 16 - Cameron Jordan 17 - Ryan Kerrigan 18 - Anthony Castonzo 19 - Mike Pouncey 20 - Adrian Clayborn 21 - Phil Taylor 22- Stephen Paea 23 - Brandon Harris 24 - Aldon Smith 25 - Gabe Carimi 26 - Torrey Smith 27 - Justin Houston 28- J.J. Watt 29 - Nate Solder 30 - Akeem Ayers 31- Derek Sherrod 32 - Cameron Heyward 33- Muhammad Wilkerson 34 - Allen Bailey 35 - Jabaal Sheard 36 - Marvin Austin 37 - Jonathan Baldwin 38 - Jake Locker 39 - Colin Kaepernick 40 - James Carpenter 41 - Christian Ponder 42 - Aaron Williams 43 - Ryan Mallett 44 - Rahim Moore 45 - Leonard Hankerson 46 - Kyle Rudolph 47 - Mikel Leshoure 48 - Stefen Wisniewski 49 - Andy Dalton 50 - Brooks Reed 51 - Ras-I Dowling 52 - Mason Foster 53 - James Brewer