A Man Amongst Boys

With the 17th overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, the Patriots selected mammoth offensive lineman Nate Solder out of Colorado, ensuring Tom Brady's blind-side will be protected for many years to come. 

Once again, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick proved that when it comes to the NFL Draft, the hooded genius plays chess while the rest of the league plays checkers.

Before a sold-out Radio City Music Hall full of optimistic fans thirsty for football to return, Commissioner Roger Goodell kicked off the 2011 Draft by announcing that the lowly Carolina Panthers selected ultra-talented quarterback Cam Newton first overall. Beyond the selection of Newton, the Broncos took Texas A&M linebacker Von Miller third overall while the up-and-coming Bills selected the player many believe to be the best player on the board, mammoth defensive lineman Marcel Dareus from Alabama.

The first blockbuster trade came earlier than expected, with the Falcons exchanging a plethora of high draft picks (#27, #59, #124 this year as well as a first and fourth rounder in 2012), to the Cleveland Browns for the sixth overall pick, Alabama wide-receiver Julio Jones.

And while the selection of Newton, Miller, Dareus and the Jones trade garnered the majority of the national attention (rightfully so), one aspect of the Draft that got seemingly overlooked was the clinic Belichick put on in the New England war room.

Many draft pundits will tell you that drafting a player based specifically on a team need will bite you in the long run, because, as a result, you pass up the best available players. However, when need intersects value, a draft pick becomes a home run, not a question mark.

This is exactly what happened to the Patriots Thursday night in New York City. With the 17th overall pick, New England selected highly rated offensive tackle Nate Solder out of Colorado.

"I was sitting there hoping and praying that [New England] picked me because it's such a great organization," said Solder after being drafted.

The pick makes perfect sense for the Pats. With an aging Matt Light, forever disgruntled Logan Mankins and recently retired Stephen Neal, the New England offensive line had more question marks than answers. In the 23-year-old Solder, the Patriots acquire a cornerstone bookend that they can pair with Sebastien Vollmer to anchor the line for the next decade. He will be expected to protect Tom Brady's blind-side.

Beyond need, Solder makes sense sheerly because of his immense skill set and upside. At 6'8'', 320 lbs, Solder is the most physically imposing and gifted lineman in the draft, with great footwork and athleticism. He is also incredibly smart. In 2010 he graduated from Colorado with a 3.52 GPA and a degree in evolutionary and ecological biology. He's also incredibly durable. Since his sophomore season, Solder played in an astounding 2.540 out of 2,542 snaps.

Sounds like a Patriot-type player.

New England also held the 28th overall pick in the first round. However, as Pats fans have grown accustomed to, the mastermind coach traded the pick to New Orleans and received great value in return, picking up the Saints second rounder this year (#56 overall), as well as their first round pick in 2012.

Once again, Belichick turned a stone into a gem. Already solidifying the present with the selection of Solder, Belichick strengthened the future as well by picking up not only the 2012 first rounder but also the second round pick that will surely be used to the Patriots advantage. Belichick has had great success with second rounders recently, picking up Patrick Chung, Rob Gronkowski, Jermaine Cunningham and Brandon Spikes (among others) in the past two years.

The Draft resumes tonight with the second and third rounds being broadcast live from Radio City. And, right on cue, the Patriots own the first available pick, #33 overall, as well as #56, #60, #74 and #92.

Many draft gurus believe Belichick will trade away the 33rd pick and stockpile more value, but if he doesn't look for the Pats to address their lone glaring void, the pass rush, and pounce on an outside linebacker/defensive end like Jabaal Sheard, Akeem Ayers or Brooks Reed.

But, then again, there's a great chance Belichick will pick a no-namer that none of us have heard of who turns out to be a star.

In the end, whatever the hooded genius decides is alright with me.

After all, it worked out pretty well last year with Devin McCourty.