**The Official Day 1 Patriots Draft Thread**

[tombonneau]

Clearly Pats feel late first round front 7 talent > late first OL talent

 

[FreeTedWilliams]

a 6'9 guard?

Magic Johnson was a 6'9" guard

 

[VJCPatriot]

So looks like Solder at #17 and possibly Wilkerson at #28?

 

[patchick]

Funny how all the talking heads are reporting that the Giants had planned to take Solder over Amukamara, but here at PatsFans everybody KNOWS Solder would have been there at 28!

 

[Ring 6]

The team had a need. I just thought they'd deal with it next year. Given that Pouncey was taken, I don't hate the pick, or anything, but I'm not going to do cartwheels over a developmental tackle at this point.

I think we should know better by now than to judge a pick by buzz words like 'developmental' or 'special teamer' given that few of the players BB draft really pan out like the buzz word scouting reports say.
Vollmer was supposed to be a 'project' and he was playing great LT in his rookie year.

 

[Joker]

Solder is a solid pick at 17 for the Pats...I don't get it with half of you crazies....

 

[Deus Irae]

Who better to develop a tackle than Dante?

Granted. It's a developmental player at a position that didn't have the current need, though, when there were players available that filled positions of need.

Again, I don't hate the pick, but I'm not going to pretend that I think it's the greatest pick ever just because Belichick made it. I'll leave that to others.

One thing seems certain, and that is that the Patriots have decided to change their approach to tackles. They've gone from smaller to behemoths.

 

[scout]

cam jordan to Colts...thats its doomsday

Is you first name Homer?

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

BB drafted another TE in Solder

Solder was the 45th ranked TE coming out of high school by Rivals.

More than that, the same OL coach who developed Tom Ashworth from TE to LT, finished up Solder for his senior season. NE also signed Solder's Asst. S&C coach to be their Asst. S&C coach - NE was well inside the coaching network on this kid.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Scar @ Gillette said Solder is a LT on the Patriots. Didn't mention unon rep FA Light

 

[Froob]

Would be cool to see Solder catch goal line passes.

 

[TruthSeeker]

I like this pick. A possible franchise LT. Also, like boomer said, imagine him as an eligible receiver in the red zone, a 6'9" 290 pound TE. Very versatile. Him and SeaBass as bookend tackles for the next 10 years. I smiled after the pick, typical BB pick, everyone had us picking a pass rusher or possible Mark Ingram, and we pick a tackle. Love the pick though. Scarnecchia is a wizard, Oline teacher extraudinaire. This is gonna wind up a great pick.

 

[eagle eye]

The Tuna rated Solder the best tackle in the draft, gave him a high first round grade. I think its a very good pick, predicted we would take him but thought it would be at 28.

 

[patchick]

So looks like Solder at #17 and possibly Wilkerson at #28?

I have a funny Cameron Heyward feeling all of a sudden. :confused2:

 

[patfanken]

I just don't get it. I would have loved either the Prince or Jordan. I just don't get Solder. that they picked a bad guy. He's was probably the highest rated player on their board in in 2 years we will have 2 of the best OTs in the league. BUT tackle wasn't even the 3rd biggest need. I don't see how Solder with only 2 years experience as an OT will be a better player than Matt Light NEXT YEAR.

We picked a guy who probably won't start next year unless there is going to be an injury.

My only hope is Bill will do something really strange and trade up in the first round and take Jordan later this draft or at LEAST Wilkerson.

 

[ZoisKing]

So apparently the coaches looked at our offensive lines playoff struggles, and said, "We fix that, and we're going all the way". Offensive line lost us the Superbowl, and was a big reason Brady wasn't Brady against the Jets.

 

[Urgent]

One thing the Solder pick points to:
Belichick is definitely thinking long term.
Solder does not appear ready to play.
But has some upside down the road.

 

[Off The Grid]

Magic Johnson was a 6'9" guard

Nice.

Solder will be our Left Tackle, obviously.

 

[IcyPatriot]

Patriots 1st and goal on the 7 yard line ... Solder checks in as a TE ...

Gronk and Solder in the Red Zone ...

Solder used to be a TE ...

Solder checks in on field goal defense team ...

 

[TriplecHamp]

---

I alluded to Solder being the pick when the Pats hired his strength coach -- but no one wanted to "connect the dots" a month ago...

Good call, some smart people there