The Patriots held on to the #17 pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, and used it to select offensive tackle Nate Solder from Colorado. Solder is over 6-foot-8 and tips the scales are nearly 320 pounds, so he certainly has NFL size already. In his 3 years as a starting tackle for the Buffaloes, Solder missed only 2 snaps. He was 1st Team All-Big 12 as both a junior and senior, and was a consensus 1st Team All-American in 2010. Despite weighing well over 300 pounds, he has less than 10% body fat, enabling him to be very nimble for a big man. In his career at Colorado he surrendered only 5 sacks in 3 years. He has the potential to start at left tackle right away, or possibly right tackle with Sebastian Vollmer moving over to the left side. The selection likely means the end of the Matt Light era in Foxboro. Light, the 3-time Pro Bowl selection and 3-time Super Bowl champ, is an unrestricted free agent. Solder said when the Pats were on the clock, "I was sitting there hoping and praying they picked me because it's such a great organization." He also acknowledged that he still has plenty to improve on, but added, "the great thing about that is I'm a coachable player." New England shipped their other 1st round pick, #28, to the Saints (who took 2009 Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram of Alabama). In return the Patriots obtained New Orleans 2nd round pick in 2011 (#56) and their 1st round pick in 2012. Welcome to New England Nate!
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I know he weighs 320, but it looks like he could easily put on another 30 pounds and still be in shape. This guy could be scary if he adds some more strength (his biggest knock).
I was originally disappointed they didn't take BC's Anthony Castonzo (if they went the tackle route) but after they showed him celebrating his pick it was obvious to me that the Pats made the right call. Can't put my finger on just why, but he seems like a bit of a yahoo (and yes, I know he's super smart)
Pats are almost certain to trade #33 today. With other teams having a night to fall in love with a player they are scared of not getting this is going to be ripe for the picking for Belichick.
Bills are 2nd today and are rumored to want Andy Dalton, so any team wanting a QB would have to go through NE. The may trade with Buffalo to move down just 1 spot and add something in the process.
Rounds 2 & 3 are tonight and the Pats have.....
#33
#56
#60
#74 (Randy Moss)
#92
Should be fun!
My completely amateur opinion with the 33rd pick:
I do not think they are going to be able to get a deal done with Buff. Since Buff is trying to catch the Pats you would have to wonder how much Buff is willing to give to Pats. I think it is probably more likely to be the Bengals. Move down a few spots this year - still get a DE (hopefully) and pick up another #2 next year since they only have 6 picks in next years draft.
If they dont trade I would like to see them take Brooks Reed.
Pat Harlow 2.0
Holy crap we just drafted another CB. I guess we're going TE with our next pick.
How does a QB suit you DuffMan? Maybe we can move Mallet to TE and Hernandez to DE?
I think the draft has turned into an opportunity for Belichick to give his ego a workout as he attempts to show how much smarter he is than the rest of the league.
DK, next time you are looking for a research project can you find out what percentage of the players on each of the Pat's Super Bowl teams were drafted by BB and Co.
Oh look WJ, we took an outside LB in the 6th round. I'm sure he'll make an impact on this team.
And did you notice we picked an TE before that?!! They may need to move Hernandez to DE because we don't have anyone that can play that position.
Hey, Troy Brown was a DB for a couple of years.
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