Bill Belichick speaks to the media following the first round of the draft Thursday night.
So we went into the day with four picks in the first two rounds and still came out of it that way, so we felt like the trade with New Orleans was a good value relative to the players that we had on the board and what those picks are going to be tomorrow. So that's why we made the trade. And Nate [Solder] was a player that we've been on for a long time. Of course we hired Moses [Cabrera] who was at Colorado last year, so he certainly gave us a little insight into him. Nate has been a solid player for Colorado, [a] left tackle and certainly there are a lot of things that he'll need to do to improve, but I feel like he's a good, talented guy, a hard-working kid, and if he can keep doing that, then I think he'll be able to contribute for us and we'll work him at left tackle. Overall, we're heading into tomorrow with the same number of picks, just located a little bit differently than they were when we started today. Hopefully we can continue to have good quality in the future years as well. So that's where we're at.
Peter King (SI) gives his thoughts on the Patriots selection of OT Nate Solder at 17.
New England: Repeat after me, Patriotland: In Bill We Trust. Nate Solder's not a strike-up-the-band pick, but he's a solid tackle prospect who should form a good long-term combination with Sebastian Vollmer. If you wanted to see the Pats take Mark Ingram instead of deal him for the 56th pick today and next year's one for the Saints, you're not alone. But this draft will have very good rushing prospects down the line between picks 50 and 125.
Cold Hard Football Facts (SI) Patriots first-round Draft analysis.
Nobody throws draft-day curveballs like Bill Belichick, and the Colorado tackle is yet another example. The Patriots fielded the best offensive line in football last year (according to our Offensive Hog Index) and one of the worst defensive fronts in football. The lack of a pass rush has haunted the Patriots for years, including in the 2010 playoff loss to the Jets. It's easily the No. 1 need. But the team must feel vulnerable protecting Tom Brady with OL stalwarts Logan Mankins and Matt Light big free agency question marks.
TEAM TALK
- Paul Perillo says that with a pair of moves in the first round of the draft Bill Belichick was able to fill two needs -- one on the field and the other his desire to make deals.
- Erik Scalavino recaps New England's action on Day 1 of the 2011 NFL Draft.
- Andy Hart notes the Patriots clearly addressed a major need with the pick of Nate Solder and lists additional needs the Patriots should consider with their 8 remaining picks.
- Andy Hart looks ahead to day 2 of the Draft with the second and third round coming up tonight.
- Patriots Today - Solder is a Patriot; Brian Lowe and PFW's Paul Perillo break it down. (3.24 min. video)
- Patriots Today - The moment Solder was selected. (1.03 min. video)
- Nate Solder holds a conference call with the media following last night's draft.
- Patriots.com offer a video clip of college highlights from Colorado offensive lineman Nate Solder. (5 min.)
- Mike Mayock has a pre-draft chat with Patriots head coach Bill Belichick (3.22 min. video).
LOCAL LINKS
- Shalise Manza Young examines the Patriots pick of OT Nick Solder at 17, when everyone else was convinced the Patriots would draft a DL.
- Greg A. Bedard analyzes first-round pick OT Nate Solder as an outstanding athlete with off-the-charts character.
- Greg A. Bedard and Shalise Manza Young discuss the Patriots' first round draft pick Nate Solder and more. (1.36 min. video) "Really solid pick."
- Tom E. Curran sees the Patriots selecting safe over sizzle last night.
- Karen Guregian reports the crowd at Vince Wilfork's fundraiser wanted a stud pass rusher over OL Nate Solder. Matt Light was there watching, but left without comment.
- Mike Reiss offers his initial reaction to the Patriots first-round selection of OT Nate Solder.
- Jim Donaldson notes that for the fourth consecutive year, 'Trader Bill' has made a trade involving a first-round draft pick.
- Ian Rapoport wonders if the Patriots just ended the Matt Light era in New England.
- Jim Donaldson suggests the Patriots drafting O-lineman Solder sends a message to Matt Light.
- Mark Farinella reports the Patriots began the task of rebuilding their offensive line last night and start day two with three 2nd-round picks.
- Tom E. Curran thinks it's curious that last night the Patriots passed over what Belichick called the best group of DL prospects he's ever seen.
- Mike McDermott posts a video of Nate Solder on ESPN's Sport Science. (2.40 min.) Solder is described as "one of the biggest and most impressive athletes we've ever tested."
- Karen Guregian profiled OT Nate Solder last Saturday before the Draft, where he admits that he'd "love to be a part of the Patriots organization." Good for him.
- Zuri Berry posts a draft preview video of Nate Solder and lists his college career stats.
- WEEI highlights Adam Schefter's guest appearance on the Dennis & Callahan show this morning.
- Mike Reiss highlights Bill Belichick's wrap-up of Day one.
- Greg A. Bedard observes Bill Belichick usually wins the second round of the Draft.
- Jim Donaldson looks at the possibility of the Patriots trading tonight's first pick in the second round.
- Tom E. Curran takes a look at how Day Two of the NFL Draft may unfold with the Patriots in the driver's seat.
- Mike Reiss previews Day 2 of the Draft from a Patriots perspective. (30 second clip)
- DJ Bean lists five names to keep an eye on at no. 33 tonight.
- Ian Rapoport Patriots Notebook: NFL teams were told to open their doors this morning for voluntary activities, including workouts, meetings with trainers and sessions with coaches to go over the playbook; The league will detail their plan on potential trades, transactions and the start of the league year; Pats traded their 28th pick to New Orleans for the 56th pick overall tonight and a first-round pick next year.
- Mike Reiss takes a closer look at what the rest of the AFC East teams did in the first round of the draft last night.
- Karen Guregian said Vince Wilfork's draft day fundraiser at Pinz Entertainment in Milford was a huge success, raising $150,000 to help cure diabetes.
- Karen Guregian reports Vince Wilfork planned to be at Gillette Stadium bright and early this morning.
- Ian Rapoport offers the five best and worst draft picks of Bill Belichick.
NATIONAL NEWS
- Todd McShay (ESPN) breaks down the Patriots picking OL Nate Solder at No. 17 in the draft. (1 minute video)
- Tim Graham (ESPN) Patriots stick at 17, add Solder to O-line.
- Cold Hard Football Facts (SI) First-Round Draft Analysis.
- Peter King (SI) The trade heard 'round the league; thoughts on all 32 first-round picks.
- Nate Davis (USA today) Complete first-round analysis of 2011 NFL draft.
- Nolan Nawrocki (Pro Football Weekly) Pick-by-pick analysis: Round one.
- Matt Bowen (Nat'l Football Post) First round breakdown.
- Gary D'Amato (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) First-round draft report: Winners, losers.
- Jason La Canfora (NFL.com) Bengals focused on Dalton, may trade up with New England.
- Wes Bunting (Nat'l Football Post) Updated big board: who are the best prospects at each position still remaining?
- Tim Graham (ESPN) Five to consider for Patriots and Bills.
- Kurt Warner, Jim Mora and Torry Holt (NFL.com) Players to target on Draft-day two. (1.53 min. video)
- Clifton Brown (Sporting News) 2011 NFL Draft first-round winners and losers.
- NFL Draft Tracker (NFL.com) Track the latest 2011 Draft round picks, and which graded players are still available to be picked.
- Sam Farmer (Los Angeles Times) Big run in NFL draft for quarterbacks, signaling the direction of the league.
- Alex Marvez (Fox Sports) Fans cry for football; seems they'll get it.
- Dan Wetzel (Yahoo! Sports) NFL draft carnival of boos, Faith Hill and poultry.
- Sean Leahy (USA Today) Fans heavily boo commissioner Roger Goodell at NFL draft.
- Brad Biggs (Nat'l Football Post) Ravens want 4th round pick from Bears in botched trade. NFL investigating matter.
- Jim Weber (Yahoo! Sports) Catching up with former No. 1 pick Drew Bledsoe.