With the 17th pick in the 2011 Draft, the Patriots select: Nate Solder, offensive tackle, Colorado.
To be honest, I don’t like the pick. With California defensive end Cameron Jordan sitting there at No. 17, I thought Belichick would have jumped all over him.
Solder has a tremendous amount of upside, perhaps more than any offensive linemen in the draft, but he’s raw and needs to add strength to be an effective run blocker.
He is more of a finessee left tackle, but does possess great size at 6’8, 319 pounds with elite athleticism (4.96 forty).
He could be a franchise blindside protector if he adds strength, but at this spot in the draft I think the Pats should have gone with Jordan or even Boston College tackle Anthony Castonzo.
Maybe Belichick will trade up from 28 to get a front-seven defender, but overall you can’t fault the Pats for taking an offensive lineman with the uncertainty at the position.
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