Patriots NFL Draft Selections: Solder Picked First

Live update: The New England Patriots select Nate Solder, offensive tackle from Colorado, in their first round draft pick.

Nate Solder:

Position: Offensive Tackle

Height: 6'9''

Weight: 315

High School: Buena Vista

Awards: The first offensive tackle at Colorado to earn All-America honors since 1979. He became the first-ever to garner consensus All-America honors at the position for the Buffaloes.

Local Patch editors (and rabid Patriots fans) Jeffrey Pickette and Mike Gleason sat down to discuss what the local team might do this year. Both were asked to consider a number of issues for this year's draft. Their responses follow.

What do you think is the most interesting thing about this year’s draft?

Mike Gleason: I think the lack of a slam-dunk quarterback is very interesting this year. All of this year’s prospects have fairly serious red flags. Auburn’s Cam Newton is one of the most suspect number-one guys in years — some think he was the product of a very friendly, one-read system in college, and his mechanics aren’t ideal for the pro game.

Jeffrey Pickette: For me, it’s the lack of free agency before the draft. Usually teams have been able to plug some holes and add some new players prior to the draft.  Does this mean more teams draft for need this year?

What are the Patriots’ draft needs?

MG: Last year was extremely successful, and the team has a good cache of young talent. Still, the team had several very glaring needs. The Pats need pass rushers who don’t just pinball off opposing quarterbacks. They need a wide receiver who can open things up downfield (Deion Branch’s late-season resurgence was wonderful, but they can’t count on a full season of production from him). They need to refresh their offensive line, which is stealthily aging.

Some will say the team needs a running back, but I wouldn’t draft one early. Even successful running backs have a short shelf-life, and the multi-headed hydra that was the Patriots running game last year was good enough to finish ninth in the league. I’d love to see BenJarvus Green-Ellis get a shot to carry the load.

JP: I second what you say, Mike.  A pass rusher, whether it be a defensive lineman or a linebacker, is a must. A good pass rush disguises weaknesses in the secondary. This draft is supposed to be very deep at defensive line, and looking back at Belichick’s draft history, perhaps his best first round picks have been defensive lineman (Richard Seymour, Ty Warren, Vince Wilfork).

The offensive line needs to be addressed, as Matt Light and Logan Mankins could depart this offseason. From there I’d take a look at wide receiver, running back and the secondary, not necessarily in that order.  I don’t think the team should spend a high pick on a running back (Lawrence Maroney anyone?), but if Mark Ingram is there, perhaps Belichick and co. will be tempted. The offense could always use more explosiveness. Leigh Bodden should return from injury to form a solid 1-2 pair with Devin McCourty at corner, but I’m not sold on Brandon Meriweather at safety - too hit or miss. And does Darius Butler improve? What about Jonathan Wilhite? I’d like to see the team draft a solid corner to push those two for slot corner.

Who might fill those needs?

JP: I’m a sucker for taking offensive positions in the draft.  If I were the Pats general manager, I would have taken Dez Bryant last year over McCourty and David Terrell back in 2001 over Seymour.  Now you see why I’m a Patch editor and just a Patriots fan. 

So, you understand why I’m intrigued by Ingram. Belichick’s good friend Nick Saban coached Ingram at Alabama, so BB figures to have the book on him.

On the defensive side, in addition to Cal Defensive End Cameron Jordan, Ohio State’s Cam Heyward is a versatile defensive lineman and I like Brooks Reed from Arizona a possible DE/LB. I figure the Pats will take at least one Alabama or Florida player, as Belichick has strong relationships with both coaches.

But here’s the thing about the Patriots and the draft—trying to predict what they are going to do or which player they will select is a crapshoot. We all just assume Belichick will try to trade 2011 picks for 2012 picks and beyond, but perhaps this is the year BB uses his ammo and trades up. BB works the draft process like no other.  He’s also bound to take someone we’ve never heard of that will turn out to be a stud (Mankins and McCourty come to mind).

MG: I’m incredibly high on Cameron Jordan. From what I’ve heard, he would project very well as an end in the Patriots scheme, and he’s lauded for versatility. Belichick loves versatility. Enough said.

It’s more likely that I win the lottery tomorrow than the Patriots use their second pick in the first round.

I’m also intrigued by Pitt’s Jonathan Baldwin, the consensus third wide receiver behind AJ Green and Julius Jones.  He’s drawn comparisons to San Diego’s Vincent Jackson, and has the jump-ball ability that the Pats lost when Randy Moss left.

Did it mean anything that the Pats interviewed quarterback prospects Jake Locker and Ryan Mallett?

JP: No, I don’t believe the Patriots will be taking a quarterback in the early rounds. The Patriots have too many other pressing needs. But I wouldn’t be surprised if a QB is taken with one of the Patriots first three draft slots (17,28,33). If there is a run on QBs or a team wants to trade back into the first round or to the top of the second round to land a signal caller, the Patriots’ phone should be ringing in their draft war room. And we know how much Bill Belichick likes to trade picks and stockpile for future drafts.

That being said, grooming an heir for Tom Brady is a must down the road.  Steve Young and Aaron Rodgers helped lesson the impact when Joe Montana and Brett Favre left their teams. This wasn’t the case for the Broncos when John Elway retired or for the Dolphins when Dan Marino retired. You can argue those franchises still aren’t the same.

MG: Probably not. Although it may soon be time to start thinking about Brady’s successor, Locker’s price tag will likely be too high — especially given the lack of a slam-dunk QB prospect this draft.

It’s a shame, too, because Locker could easily fit the bill as a long-term backup/eventual successor to Brady. He has all the physical attributes an NFL quarterback needs, but his accuracy is near-comical at times. Three or four years behind an established veteran would do him good — I think he’s a near-certain bust if he has to start right away.

The NFL Draft will air on ESPN and the NFL Network at 8pm tonight.