Solder a Solid Pick

Who remembers Bill Belichick’s first draft selection? He was offensive tackle Adrian Klemm, a second round pick out of Hawaii. Klemm was a bust as he spent five of his six years with the Patriots and had only 10 starts.

Give the Patriots credit, though. They learned quickly from their mistake. The selection of OT Nate Solder surprised many because Boston College’s Anthony Castonzo was still available. NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock spent 45 seconds pointing out Solder’s flaws on video after the Pats’ selection. But New England knows what they like and they pay no attention to outside opinions and evaluations.

They heard the same criticism when they drafted OT Sebastian Vollmer in 2009. Many analysts didn’t consider Vollmer worthy of a second round pick. But when an injury sidelined starting left tackle Matt Light later that season, Vollmer was able to step in for Light as a rookie. Vollmer was so good, in fact, people thought Vollmer should replace Light and move the veteran to right tackle. Vollmer started 16 games last year at right tackle.

Belichick likes to develop O-linemen. They spend late round selections on them to bring along slowly under the expert tutelage of assistant head coach/offensive line Dante Scarnecchia. New England drafted eleven offensive linemen between rounds four through seven since 2000. In some instances, these low selections become good players for the Patriots, with center Dan Koppen (2003, fifth round) and OT Ryan O’Callahan (2006, sixth round) as examples.

But when it comes to the top half of the draft, the Patriots don’t miss on offensive linemen. Since 2001, New England has been outstanding at drafting O-linemen:

2001 – Rd 2 48^th overall: OT Matt Light

           3 Pro Bowl selections

           1 All-Pro selection

2005 – Rd 1 32^nd overall: G Logan Mankins

           3 Pro Bowl selections

           1 All-Pro selection

2005 – Rd 3 100^th overall: OT Nick Kaczur

           6 seasons, 62 starts

2009 – Rd 2 58^th overall: OT Sebastian Vollmer

           2 seasons, 24 starts

Solder makes five offensive linemen drafted in the first three rounds since ’01. Some people don’t like the pick with some of players still available at the time. Others think Solder was selected a little earlier than he should had been.

It’s tired to repeat In Bill We Trust because the Patriots failed in their last three playoff appearances. Well in the last three playoff games, QB Tom Brady was sacked 13 times. The Solder selection addresses that problem. Based on Belichick and Scarneccia’s track record with early offensive line selections, they should be trusted.

A snapshot at the other selections:

CB Ras-I Dowling, Virginia 6’1” 198

Last year the Patriots had to deal with Miami’s Brandon Marshall and New York Jets’ Braylon Edwards. They are scheduled to see San Diego’s Vincent Jackson, Dallas’ Miles Austin, Kansas City’s Dwayne Bowe, Denver’s Demaryius Thomas, and rookie receiver Leonard Hankerson of Washington. Now the Patriots have a tall, physical corner to handle the big receivers throughout the league.

RB Shane Vereen, California 5’10” 210

This selection probably spells the end of Kevin Faulk’s 12-year tenure with the Patriots. Vereen is a versatile change-of-pace back with speed, solid inside running ability and great hands out of the backfield.

RB Stevan Ridley, Louisiana State 5’11” 225

Say good-bye to Sammy Morris and Fred Taylor. Ridley is the new hard-nosed north-south runner to work in tandem with BenJarvus Green-Ellis. Ridley is a powerful runner that breaks tackles and punishes tacklers. It’s a brand new backfield in New England.

QB Ryan Mallett, Arkansas 6’7” 253

Belichick likes value picks and value doesn’t get much better than Mallett in the third round. Mallett is the most NFL-ready quarterback in this year’s draft but major character flags caused Mallett to plummet. Mallett is in an ideal environment to mature if he learns how to be a professional from Brady and Belichick. Mallett is the franchise QB-in-waiting if he doesn’t screw up this opportunity.

OT Marcus Cannon, TCU 6’5” 358

Cannon is one of several players who had a medical condition that dropped him in the draft. Last week Cannon learned he had a treatable form of non-Hodgkins lymphoma, according to ESPN. If Cannon can make a full recovery, the Patriots will be rewarded with a player rated as a possible first round pick. Cannon is expected to slide inside to guard at the pro level.

TE Lee Smith, Marshall 6’6” 266

Every veteran knows there is always someone younger right behind them aiming to take his job. Alge Crumpler has reason to look over his shoulder. Smith is a projected blocking tight end. Smith put up decent receiving numbers (38 receptions, 358 yards, 3 touchdowns) so he may have more flexibility than the slowing Crumpler. Smith likely is destined for the practice squad at best as he would have to be one heck of a blocker to unseat Crumpler.

OLB Markell Carter, Central Arkansas 6’4” 252

Mystery Man number one. NFL.com doesn’t even have a scouting report on Carter. SidelineScouting.com has the details on the former Bear. The collegiate DE is projected as an OLB at the pro level. His sack numbers in his senior year aren’t impressive (5.5), but the 19 tackles for a loss drew the Patriots’ attention. Click this link for his full scouting report. Carter has no highlights on YouTube.

DB Malcolm Williams, TCU 5’11” 204

Another near-unknown in the eyes of NFL.com. The web site doesn’t know how tall Williams is. Malcolm played safety for the Horned Frogs in 2009 but is listed as a corner. That versatility appeals to New England, but in the Patriots’ talented secondary, Williams will have a hard time cracking the roster. Williams has no highlights on YouTube.