nate solder

Most of the NFL draft grades are in, and as always the Patriots ran the gamut from A+ (Jamie Dukes/NFLN) all the way down to a C- (Adam Schein/FoxSports). Of course as anyone who reads this blog knows, I tend to side with Dukes, but allow me to explain why blind homerism isn’t just the reason why.

This is possibly the first draft in Bill Belichick’s run that’s he’s actually hit on every major need that the team had, they just might not have been in the exact order of what they needed most. But the fact is that value rarely ever matches up exactly with need so you have to take what the board gives you.

While outside linebacker was the biggest need in a lot of people’s minds the fact is that the offensive line is on the verge of a nearly complete transformation. Failure to restock a left tackle of the future, a guard to replace Stephen Neal, and eventually a center to take over for Koppen had to be the highest priority, especially when you consider Tom Brady is hitting the twilight of his career.

You are not beating anyone if your quarterback is not protected, and the Light-Mankins-Koppen-Neal-Kaczur group that won a lot of games from 2005-2010 (discounting injuries of course) should be almost completely overhauled by 2012.

Now with Nate Solder, Sebastian Vollmer, Dan Connolly, Marcus Cannon, as well as the slew of developmental guys like Ryan Wendell and Rich Ohrnberger, the Patriots look like they have some major pieces of the next O-line in place.

Another need that many were ignorant to was at the Free Safety position. Now while Mike Reiss said on our podcast that he thinks BB likes Brandon Meriweather more than the fans do, there’s no assurance that the Pats will be able to re-sign him after this season even if they want to.

While pass rush is of course a huge part of getting off the field on third down, you can’t discount the effect that a dominant ball hawking free safety could have as well.

While Ras-I Dowling will start off as a cornerback, I don’t think it’s outside the realm of possibility that he could be an eventual free safety candidate. Many draft publications thought that position might be his best fit, and we’ve seen a similar transition before with Eugene Wilson who moved from corner in college to a starting FS for the Pats in his rookie year.

Like the tight ends last year, this year’s draft class was extremely strong in running backs in the second-to-third round range, so the Patriots took advantage and snapped up two of them. Now the Patriots have one of the deepest, most diverse and formidable backfields in the NFL.

Better late than never the Pats finally added an outside linebacker prospect in the late rounds. While Markell Carter wasn’t one of the flashy names, his skill set and demeanor seem to match exactly what BB looks for. There will be a long road before we know if Carter is anything more than a special teams guy in the Pierre Woods mold, but if he’s getting time early on as a designated pass rusher his future could look very bright indeed.

While those five picks hit on the biggest needs, the other three were simply cases of too great of value to pass up, or the kind of unsung grinders that all teams need. Ryan Mallett, Lee Smith, and Malcolm Williams all could end up being significant contributors down the line, but if they’re not it won’t be a big deal. That’s the advantage of having a boatload of picks every year, you’re not beholden to your needs, you can take the best value where the talent is deepest in the draft.

Overall I’m having a hard time this year more than any other with draft grades like Schein’s C-. What needs were not hit on? The only possible one might be wide receiver, but even there they have three young players who deserve more time to improve and show what they’ve got.

Some might say defensive end as well, but there’s almost a surplus of players at that position when you count Ty Warren, Marcus Stroud, Brandon Deaderick, Ron Brace and Kade Weston among other guys who have been behind the scenes. Could they use a talent upgrade there? Probably. But it doesn’t appear they thought any of the available defensive ends in this draft were an actual upgrade.

I believe the one and only reason the pundits will criticize the Patriots 2011 draft class was that they did not address their perceived #1 need with their highest pick. Meanwhile I’m just shocked that they actually did address all their needs.