Media Roundup: On The Patriots' Draft, And Michael Felger's Constant Criticism Of It

It's popular sports talk radio fodder in Boston to say that the New England Patriots' NFL Draft record is "spotty." But how is Bill Belichick's overall record when actually taking players? Let's dig in.

NFL Draft 2011: BC's Mark Herzlich Disappointed, But Understanding

Mark Herzlich went through a lot during his time at Boston College, going from one of the nation's best collegiate linebackers to a cancer patient fighting a terrible disease.

Yet even though Herzlich was able to make a remarkable recovery and play in every game for the Boston College Eagles last season, it wasn't enough for him to be drafted over the weekend in the 2011 NFL Draft. What a shame.

Herzlich was naturally disappointed that he went undrafted, but he understood the reasoning behind the draft snub.

"When it happens, if it happens, they'll call me,'' said Herzlich yesterday morning before the business of selecting players began for the day. "I'm not confused by what happened [to his draft status]. I understand it completely. I know where I would have been picked if I were healthy. The big thing is for me to get to an NFL camp and prove myself. I would have to do that anyway. It doesn't matter.''

The call never came, and with the NFL lockout back on, Herzlich will have to wait for his chance to play at the next level.

"I am very disappointed,'' said Herzlich last night after a long day of waiting. "And got more frustrated as the day went on.'' (via Boston Globe)

For more on the New England Patriots and their draft, head over to Pats Pulpit. And for all things 2011 NFL Draft related, from the first pick to Mr. Irrelevant and everything in between, check out SB Nation's 2011 NFL Draft Hub and our NFL Draft blog, Mocking The Draft.

NFL Draft 2011: BC's Mark Herzlich Eager To Prove Critics Wrong

Mark Herzlich has quickly become one of my favorite football players of all time, and he's not even a pro (yet). Herzlich, who went undrafted in this weekend's 2011 NFL Draft, wasn't focused on his draft stock, instead choosing to focus on the tragedy caused by the violent tornadoes in Alabama.

In regards to going undrafted, Herzlich said on Twitter that he's been in a similar position before and has come out on top before.

Instead of letting the disappointed get the best of him, Herzlich held his head high and is determined to show all 32 NFL teams what they missed out on this weekend. I'll guarantee you this: Herzlich is going to do whatever it takes to become a superstar in the NFL one day, you can count on that.

NFL Draft 2011, New England Patriots: Ryan Mallett, Nate Solder Highlight Picks

New England capped off the 2011 NFL Draft in New York City on Saturday afternoon, making four picks in Rounds 4-7 as this year's draft came to a close.

In typical fashion, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick made some questionable decisions, including the decision to draft an offensive lineman at No. 17 overall and trade away the No. 28 overall pick.

The debate begins as to whether or not this year's Patriots draft class will be a successful one, but for now, all fans can do is sit back and analyze their team's newest players. With that in mind, here's a look at your newest Patriots.

2011 NFL Draft - New England Patriots Draft Picks

Round 1, No. 28: Nate Solder (OT - Colorado Buffaloes)
Round 2, No. 33: Ras-I Dowling (CB - Virginia Cavaliers)
Round 2, No. 56: Shane Vereen (RB - California Golden Bears)
Round 3, No. 73: Stevan Ridley (RB - LSU Tigers)
Round 3, No. 74: Ryan Mallett (QB - Arkansas Razorbacks)
Round 5, No. 138: Marcus Cannon (OT - TCU Horned Frogs)
Round 5, No. 159: Lee Smith (TE - Marshall Thundering Herd)
Round 6, No. 194: Markell Carter (LB - Central Arkansas Bears)
Round 7, No. 219: Malcolm Williams (CB - TCU Horned Frogs)

Mallett's name is the one that stands out in this group, but there are plenty of other story lines. Take Cannon, for example, who was diagnosed with cancer just a few days before the draft.

The definitive answer on whether or not this year's draft was successful will not be known for several years, so for now, we can only debate amongst ourselves.

2011 NFL Draft Results: New England Patriots Wrap Up Interesting Draft

The 2011 NFL Draft is officially in the books, and similar to previous years, the New England Patriots made some questionable picks. Sometime's they have turned out (see: Devin McCourty), and other times, they just haven't (see: Laurence Maroney). All we know for now is that the draft didn't turn out the way most Patriots fans had hoped.

Pats Pulpit, SB Nation's Patriots blog, takes a look at the New England Patriots' draft this year.

For the Patriots, I don't think the draft turned out exactly as most fans expected.  While the Patriots ultimately did select two offensive linemen with the choices of Colorado left tackle Nate Solder in the first round and TCU guard/tackle Marcus Cannon in the fifth, they failed to address the front seven of the defense until the 194th pick in the sixth round, when they took Central Arkansas DE/OLB Markell Carter. (via Pats Pulpit)

The draft wasn't a total loss, though, as New England was able to add some depth, according to Pats Pulpit.

Still, they added some quality depth to their running back corps with the additions of Shane Vereen of Cal and Stevan Ridley of LSU in the second and third round respectively.  They got the draft's best blocking tight end in Marshall's Lee Smith.

Head on over to Pats Pulpit to read even more reaction on the draft.

For more on the New England Patriots and their draft, head over to Pats Pulpit. And for all things 2011 NFL Draft related, from the first pick to Mr. Irrelevant and everything in between, check out SB Nation's 2011 NFL Draft Hub and our NFL Draft blog, Mocking The Draft.

2011 NFL Draft Results: BC's Mark Herzlich Goes Undrafted

Mark Herzlich, the senior linebacker from Boston College Eagles who overcame cancer, went undrafted in the 2011 NFL Draft on Saturday afternoon at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

In short, the NFL and every single team ought to be ashamed of themselves. To invite a player who overcame a horrific disease to the draft and let him sit through every single round and every single pick without giving him the honor of having his name called (that he absolutely deserves) is absolutely despicable.

Herzlich finished his four-year career at Boston College with 314 tackles, 11 interceptions, seven forced fumbles and three sacks. In 2010, Herzlich recorded 65 tackles (50 solo) and had four interceptions and two forced fumbles,.

In 2008-09, Herzlich was named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year, recording 110 tackles (81 solo), six interceptions, two sacks and two forced fumbles. Herzlich was widely considered the best collegiate linebacker after that season.

Then, Herzlich's life changed forever, when he was diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma, forcing him to miss the entire 2009 season. Remarkably, Herzlich recovered fully and served as an inspiration to the nation when he returned to the football field for his senior season last year.

Herzlich was awarded the Rudy Award and the ACC's Brian Piccolo Award in his senior season. In 2009, Herzlich was given several award, including Disney's Spirit Award, an honorary Lott Trophy and the ACC Commissioner's Cup.

For more on the New England Patriots and their draft, head over to Pats Pulpit. And for all things 2011 NFL Draft related, from the first pick to Mr. Irrelevant and everything in between, check out SB Nation's 2011 NFL Draft Hub and our NFL Draft blog, Mocking The Draft.

2011 NFL Draft Seventh Round Results: Pats Take Malcolm Williams, Mark Herzlich Goes Undrafted

The 2011 NFL Draft has officially come to a close, and what a draft it was. There will be plenty of reaction to picks and analysis in the days to come, but for now, let's take a look at the complete seventh round of this year's draft, including Mr. Irrelevant.

2011 NFL Draft - Seventh Round - Picks 1-51 (Nos. 204-254)

1. Denver Broncos - Virgil Green (TE - Nevada Wolf Pack)
2. Seattle Seahawks - Lazarius Levingston (DT - LSU Tigers)
3. Buffalo Bills - Justin Rogers (CB - Richmond Spiders)
4. Cincinnati Bengals - Korey Lindsey (CB - Southern Illinois Salukis)
5. New York Jets - Greg McElroy (QB - Alabama Crimson Tide)
6. Detroit Lions - Johnny Culbreath (OT - South Carolina St. Bulldogs)
7. Atlanta Falcons - Andrew Jackson (OL - Fresno State Bulldogs)
8. San Francisco 49ers - Bruce Miller (DE - Central Florida Knights)
9. Tennessee Titans - Zach Clayton (DT - Auburn Tigers)
10. Washington Redskins - Brandyn Thompson (CB - Boise St. Broncos)
11. Houston Texans - Derek Newton (OT - Arkansas St. Red Wolves)
12. Minnesota Vikings - D'Aundre Reed (DE - Arizona Wildcats)
13. St. Louis Rams - Mikail Baker (CB - Baylor Bears)
14. Washington Redskins - Maurice Hurt (OL - Florida Gators)
15. Green Bay Packers - Ryan Taylor (TE - North Carolina Tar Heels)
16. New England Patriots - Malcolm Williams (DB - TCU Horned Frogs)
17. Dallas Cowboys - Shaun Chapas (FB - Georgia Bulldogs)
18. New York Giants - Da'Rel Scott (RB - Maryland Terrapins)
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Anthony Gaitor (CB - Florida International Golden Panthers)
20. Kansas City Chiefs - Shane Bannon (RB - Yale Bulldogs)
21. Washington Redskins - Markus White (LB - Florida St. Seminoles)
22. Baltimore Ravens - Anthony Allen (RB - Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets)
23. New Orleans Saints - Greg Romeus (DE - Pittsburgh Panthers)
24. New York Jets - Scotty McKnight (WR - Colorado Buffaloes)
25. St. Louis Rams - Jabara Williams (LB - Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks)
26. St. Louis Rams - Jonathan Nelson (S - Oklahoma Sooners)
27. Atlanta Falcons - Cliff Matthews (DE - South Carolina Gamecocks)
28. Miami Dolphins - Frank Kearse (DT - Alabama A&M Bulldogs)
29. Pittsburgh Steelers - Baron Batch (RB - Texas Tech Red Raiders)
30. Green Bay Packers - Lawrence Guy (DT - Arizona St. Wildcats)
31. San Diego Chargers - Andrew Gachkar (LB - Missouri Tigers)
32. Miami Dolphins - James Wilson (CB - Montana Grizzlies)
33. Minnesota Vikings - Stephen Burton (WR - West Texas A&M Buffaloes)
34. Philadelphia Eagles - Greg Lloyd (LB - Connecticut Huskies)
35. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Daniel Hardy (TE - Idaho Vandals)
36. San Francisco 49ers - Mike Person (OL - Montana State Bobcats)
37. Philadelphia Eagles - Stanley Havili (FB - USC Trojans)
38. Oakland Raiders - David Ausberry (WR - USC Trojans)
39. Seattle Seahawks - Malcolm Smith (LB - USC Trojans)
40. New Orleans Saints - Nate Bussey (LB - Illinois Fighting Illini)
41. Carolina Panthers - Lee Ziemba (OT - Auburn Tigers)
42. Buffalo Bills - Michael Jasper (OG - Bethel (TN) Wildcats)
43. Cincinnati Bengals - Jay Finley (RB - Baylor Bears)
44. Denver Broncos - Jeremy Beal (DL - Oklahoma Sooners)
45. Cleveland Browns - Eric Hagg (CB - Nebraska Cornhuskers)
46. Arizona Cardinals - DeMarco Sampson (WR - San Diego St. Aztecs)
47. San Francisco 49ers - Curtis Holcomb (DB - Florida A&M Rattlers)
48. Tennessee Titans - Tommie Campbell (DB - California (PA) Vulcans)
49. Dallas Cowboys - Bill Nagy (C - Wisconsin Badgers)
50. Washington Redskins - Chris Neild (NT - West Virginia Mountaineers)
51. Houston Texans - Cheta Ozougwu (LB - Rice Owls): Congratulations, Mr. Irrelevant!

For more on the New England Patriots and their draft, head over to Pats Pulpit. And for all things 2011 NFL Draft related, from the first pick to Mr. Irrelevant and everything in between, check out SB Nation's 2011 NFL Draft Hub and our NFL Draft blog, Mocking The Draft.

2011 NFL Draft Results: Patriots Take Malcolm Williams At No. 219

Malcolm Williams, a 5'11", 200-pound cornerback from TCU, has been drafted by the New England Patriots with the No. 219 pick (16th pick in the seventh round) in the 2011 NFL Draft on Saturday afternoon at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

Williams, who was the second player from TCU the Patriots have drafted this year, ran a 4.47 40-yard dash and can also contribute on special teams.

There are still quite a few more picks left in the 2011 NFL Draft, but not for the Patriots, who wrapped up their draft when they selected Williams with their final selection.

New England drafted Nate Solder in the first round, Ras-I Dowling and Shane Vereen in the second round, Stevan Ridley and Ryan Mallett in the third round and Marcus Cannon, Lee Smith, Markell Carter and Williams on the draft's third and final day.

For more on the New England Patriots and their draft, head over to Pats Pulpit. And for all things 2011 NFL Draft related, from the first pick to Mr. Irrelevant and everything in between, check out SB Nation's 2011 NFL Draft Hub and our NFL Draft blog, Mocking The Draft.

2011 NFL Draft Sixth Round Results: Patriots Get Markell Carter, Mark Herzlich Still Undrafted

The 2011 NFL Draft is through six rounds, with just one more to go. The New England Patriots had one pick in the fifth round, and they used it to draft Central Arkansas outside linebacker Markell Carter.

In other draft news, Boston College linebacker Mark Herzlich, who overcome Ewing's Sarcoma and returned to the team for his senior season, is still undrafted entering the final round. Make a note, NFL teams: Herzlich is ready to work hard and is definitely worth your draft pick. Let's make it happen.

Anyways, here's a look at the complete fifth round of this year's draft.

2011 NFL Draft - Sixth Round - Picks 1-38 (Nos. 166-203)

1. Carolina Panthers - Lawrence Wilson (OLD - Connecticut Huskies)
2. Cincinnati Bengals - Ryan Whalen (WR - Stanford Cardinal)
3. Minnesota Vikings - DeMarcus Love (G - Arkansas Razorbacks)
4. Buffalo Bills - Chris White (ILB - Mississippi State Bulldogs)
5. Minnesota Vikings - Mistral Raymond (FS - South Florida Bulls)
6. Arizona Cardinals - Quan Sturdivant (ILB - North Carolina Tar Heels)
7. Minnesota Vikings - Brandon Fusco (C - Slippery Rock Rockets)
8. Seattle Seahawks - Byron Maxwell (CB - Clemson Tigers)
9. Miami Dolphins - Charles Clay (TE - Tulsa Golden Hurricane)
10. Tennessee Titans - Byron Stingily (T - Louisville Cardinals)
11. Dallas Cowboys - Dwayne Harris (WR - East Carolina Pirates)
12. Washington Redskins - Evan Royster (RB - Penn State Nittnay Lions)
13. Washington Redskins - Aldrick Robinson (WR - Southern Methodist Mustangs)
14. Green Bay Packers - Caleb Schlauderaff (G - Utah Utes)
15. Baltimore Ravens - Tyrod Taylor (QB - Virginia Tech Hokies)
16. Oakland Raiders - Richard Gordon (TE - Miami Hurricanes)
17. San Francisco 49ers - Ronald Johnson (WR - USC Trojans)
18. San Diego Chargers - Jordan Todman (RB - Connecticut Huskies)
19. Arizona Cardinals - David Carter (DT - UCLA Bruins)
20. New York Giants - Greg Jones (ILB - Michigan St. Spartans)
21. Green Bay Packers - D.J. Smith (OLB - Appalachian State Mountaineers)
22. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Allen Bradford (RB - USC Trojans)
23. Indianapolis Colts - Chris Rucker (CB - Michigan St. Spartans)
24. Denver Broncos - Mike Mohamed (ILB - California Golden Bears)
25. San Francisco 49ers - Colin Jones (SS - TCU Horned Frogs)
26. Philadelphia Eagles - Jason Kelce (C - Cincinnati Bearcats)
27. Atlanta Falcons - Matt Bosher (K - Miami Hurricanes)
28. Philadelphia Eagles - Brian Rolle (OLB - Ohio State Buckeyes)
29. New England Patriots - Markell Carter (Central Arkansas Bears)
30. Chicago Bears - J.T. Thomas (OLB - West Virginia Mountaineers)
31. Pittsburgh Steelers - Keith Williams (G - Nebraska Cornhuskers)
32. Green Bay Packers - Ricky Elmore (DE - Arizona Wildcats)
33. New York Giants - Tyler Sash (SS - Iowa Hawkeyes)
34. Kansas City Chiefs - Jerrell Powe (DT - Mississippi Rebels)
35. Minnesota Vikings - Ross Homan (OLB - Ohio State Buckeyes)
36. San Diego Chargers - Stephen Schilling (G - Michigan Wolverines)
37. New York Giants - Jacquian Williams (OLB - South Florida Bulls)
38. Carolina Panthers - Zack Williams (C - Washington State Cougars)

2011 NFL Draft Results: Chargers Draft UConn's Jordan Todman In Sixth Round

Jordan Todman, a 5'9", 190-pound running back and native of North Dartmouth, MA, was drafted with the 18th pick in the sixth round (No. 183 overall) by the San Diego Chargers in the 2011 NFL Draft on Saturday afternoon at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

Todman, who played three seasons at the University of Connecticut, racked up 3,179 career rushing yards and 31 touchdowns on 616 carries. In 2010, Todman rushed for 1,695 yards and 14 touchdowns on 334 carries.

In 13 games last season, Todman rushed for over 100 yards ten times and ran for more than 150 yards on five occasions. In the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, Todman rushed for 121 yards on 32 carries in UConn's 48-20 loss to Oklahoma.

For more on the New England Patriots and their draft, head over to Pats Pulpit. And for all things 2011 NFL Draft related, from the first pick to Mr. Irrelevant and everything in between, check out SB Nation's 2011 NFL Draft Hub and our NFL Draft blog, Mocking The Draft.

2011 NFL Draft Results: Patriots Draft Markell Carter At No. 194 Overall

With the 28th pick in the sixth round of the(No. 194 overall), the New England Patriots have selected Markell Carter, and outside linebacker from Central Arkansas. Carter, a 6'4", 248-pound senior, played four seasons at Central Arkansas.

Carter had 62 tackles (25 solo) and 5.5 sacks for 58 yards for the Bears in 2010. In addition, Carter had one pass break up and seven quarterback hurries to go along with three forced fumbles for Centreal Arkansas.

In drafting Carter, Bill Belichick and the Patriots passed over local standout Mark Herzlich, who remains undrafted deep into the sixth round of the 2011 NFL Draft. Herzlich totaled 314 tackles and 11 interceptions in his career at Boston College.

For more on the New England Patriots and their draft, head over to Pats Pulpit. And for all things 2011 NFL Draft related, from the first pick to Mr. Irrelevant and everything in between, check out SB Nation's 2011 NFL Draft Hub and our NFL Draft blog, Mocking The Draft.

NFL Draft Trade: Patriots, Eagles Swap Picks Late In Sixth Round

The tradition lives on, as the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles have made a draft-day trade once again.

New England traded the No. 193 overall pick to Philadelphia in exchange for the No. 194 overall pick. Seriously, that was it. The reason? The Pats and Eagles have made a draft-day trade every year since 2000.

Jon Bois of SB Nation reacts to the interesting trade below.

That's it. That's the entire trade. The Patriots voluntarily allowed the Eagles to cut in front of them for free. Now, I'm sure they only did so because they didn't think the Eagles had designs on the guy they were after, but this was just a trade for trade's sake.    

Don't ever let anyone tell you that Bill Belichick doesn't have a sense of humor.

For more on the New England Patriots and their draft, head over to Pats Pulpit. And for all things 2011 NFL Draft related, from the first pick to Mr. Irrelevant and everything in between, check out SB Nation's 2011 NFL Draft Hub and our NFL Draft blog, Mocking The Draft.

2011 NFL Draft Fifth Round Results: Patriots Come Away With Marcus Cannon, Lee Smith

Day three of the 2011 NFL Draft is underway, and the New England Patriots have already made two of their four picks. Here's a look at the Patriots' picks in the fifth round, as well as the rest of the team's draft picks.

2011 NFL Draft - Fifth Round - Picks 1-32 (Nos. 132-164)

1. Carolina Panthers - Kealoha Pilares (WR - Hawaii Warriors)
2. Buffalo Bills - Johnny White - (RB - North Carolina Tar Heels)
3. Cincinnati Bengals - Robert Sands (SS - West Virginia Mountaineers)
4. Kansas City Chiefs - Ricky Stanzi (QB - Iowa Hawkeyes)
5. Arizona Cardinals - Anthony Sherman (FB - Connecticut Huskies)
6. Cleveland Browns - Buster Skrine (CB - Tennessee-Chattanooga Moccasins)
7. New England Patriots - Marcus Cannon (T - TCU Horned Frogs)
8. Minnesota Vikings - Brandon Burton (CB - Utah Utes)
9. Kansas City Chiefs -  Gabe Miller (OLB - Oregon St. Beavers)
10. Green Bay Packers - D.J. Williams (RB - Arkansas Razorbacks)
11. Tennessee Titans - Karl Klug (DT - Iowa Hawkeyes)
12. Dallas Cowboys - Josh Thomas (CB - Buffalo Bulls)
13. Houston Texans - Shiloh Keo (SS - Idaho Vandals)
14. Atlanta Falcons - Jacquizz Rodgers - RB - Oregon St. Beavers)
15. Washington Redskins - Dejon Gomes (SS - Nebraska Cornhuskers)
16. Jacksonville Jaguars - Rod Isaac (CB - Middle Tennessee St. Blue Raiders)
17. Oakland Raiders - Denarius Moore (WR - Tennessee Volunteers)
18. Philadelphia Eagles - Dion Lewis (RB - Pittsburgh Panthers)
19. Cleveland Browns - Jason Pinkston (T - Pittsburgh Panthers)
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Ahmad Black (SS - Florida Gators)
21. Houston Texans - T.J. Yates (QB - North Carolina Tar Heels)
22. New York Jets - Jeremy Kerley (WR - TCU Horned Frogs)
23. Seattle Seahawks - Richard Sherman (CB - Stanford Cardinal)
24. Washington Redskins - Niles Paul (WR - Nebraska Cornhuskers)
25. Seattle Seahawks - Mark LeGree (FS - Appalachian State Mountaineers)
26. Detroit Lions - Doug Hogue (OLB - Syracuse Orange)
27. St. Louis Rams - Jermale Hines (SS - Ohio State Buckeyes)
28. New England Patriots - Lee Smith (TE - Marshall Thundering Herd)
29. Chicago Bears - Nathan Enderle (QB - Idaho Vandals)
30. Philadelphia Eagles - Julian Vandervelde (G - Iowa Hawkeyes)
31. Pittsburgh Steelers - Chris Carter (OLB - Fresno State Bulldogs)
32. San Francisco 49ers - Daniel Kilgore (G - Appalachian State Mountaineers)
33. Baltimore Ravens - Chykie Brown (CB - Texas Longhorns)
34. Baltimore Ravens - Pernell McPhee (DE - Mississippi State)

2011 NFL Draft Results: Patriots Take Lee Smith At No. 159 Overall

Lee Smith, a 6'6", 267-pound senior tight end from Marshall, was the New England Patriots selection with the No. 159 overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft on Saturday afternoon at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

Smith amassed 791 career receiving yards and three touchdowns on 75 catches in four seasons with the Thundering Herd. Smith has a career year in 2010, finishing with 358 receiving yards and three touchdowns on 38 catches.

In 2010, Smith recorded more than thirty receiving yards in five games. Smith's best game of the season came against UAB on November 6, making nine catches for 81 yards and two touchdowns in Marshall's 31-17 victory.

For more on the New England Patriots and their draft, head over to Pats Pulpit. And for all things 2011 NFL Draft related, from the first pick to Mr. Irrelevant and everything in between, check out SB Nation's 2011 NFL Draft Hub and our NFL Draft blog, Mocking The Draft.

2011 NFL Draft Results: ACC Has Strong Showing In First Three Rounds

The 2011 NFL Draft is taking place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City this weekend, and there has been no shortage of draft picks from the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Of the first 60 players drafted, 15 were from ACC schools, according to the ACC's website. The conference's first player drafted was Florida St. Seminoles quarterback Christian Ponder, who was taken No. 12 overall by the Minnesota Vikings.

The next ACC player off the board was North Carolina defensive end Robert Quinn, who was taken No. 14 overall by the St. Louis Rams. Boston College offensive lineman Anthony Castonzo was the ACC's next player drafted, taken No. 22 overall by the Indianapolis Colts.

In the second round, the ACC tied a conference record with 12 players from the conference drafted, the first of which was Virginia Cavaliers cornerback Ras-I Dowling, who went with the first pick of the second round to the New England Patriots. Here's a breakdown of the first three rounds from the ACC's website.

Of the first 60 players chosen for the Draft, 15 came from the ACC, 10 from the SEC; 9 each from the Big Ten and Big 12 and 8 from the Pac-10. In all, the SEC led all conferences with 20 total selections after the third round, including five of the first six in the first round--edging the ACC (19) by one selection 19. The Pac-12 was next with 13, followed by the Big Ten and the Big 12 with 12 players chosen each.

The complete list of ACC players drafted in the first three rounds can be viewed here.

For more on the New England Patriots and their draft, head over to Pats Pulpit. And for all things 2011 NFL Draft related, from the first pick to Mr. Irrelevant and everything in between, check out SB Nation's 2011 NFL Draft Hub and our NFL Draft blog, Mocking The Draft.

2011 NFL Draft Results: Patriots Select Marcus Cannon At No. 138 Overall

Marcus Cannon, an offensive guard from TCU, was the first selection of the New England Patriots on day three of the 2011 NFL Draft, as the Patriots drafted the 6'5", 350-pound lineman with the seventh pick in the fifth round (No. 138 overall).

Cannon was recently diagnosed with a treatable form of cancer, according to a report from Adam Schefter.

Schefter reports the 6-foot-6, 350-pound senior has non-Hodgkin lymphoma and will begin his treatments today. He will have three more treatments over the next three months. The only good news to come from all of this: Cannon faces a success rate for beating the cancer of better than 90 percent.

Here's a breakdown of Cannon's skill set from CBS Sports.

Cannon doesn't have the physique of a player TCU teammates would quickly identify as one of the best athletes on the team, but he can scoot once he gets moving. If draft grades were assigned based on weight-room numbers, Cannon would be first in line. He owns several program records for power lifts and his natural strength is evident when he gets his hands on defenders.     

For more on the New England Patriots and their draft, head over to Pats Pulpit. And for all things 2011 NFL Draft related, from the first pick to Mr. Irrelevant and everything in between, check out SB Nation's 2011 NFL Draft Hub and our NFL Draft blog, Mocking The Draft.

2011 NFL Draft Fourth Round Results: Panthers Draft Brandon Hogan, Eagles Take Kicker Alex Henery

The 2011 NFL Draft resumed on Saturday afternoon, and we're already through one round with three more to go. Here's a look at all of the picks in the fourth round of Saturday's draft at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

2011 NFL Draft - Fourth Round - Picks 1-34 (Nos. 98-131)

1. Carolina Panthers - Brandon Hogan (CB - West Virginia Mountaineers)

2. Seattle Seahawks - K.J. Wright - (OLB - Mississippi State Bulldogs)

3. Buffalo Bills - Da'Norris Searcy (SS - North Carolina Tar Heels)

4. Cincinnati Bengals - Clint Boling (G - Georgia Bulldogs)

5. Cleveland Browns - Jordan Cameron (TE - USC Trojans)

6. Arizona Cardinals - Sam Acho (DE - Texas Longhorns)

7. Tamp Bay Buccaneers - Luke Stocker (TE - Tennessee Volunteers)

8. Washington Redskins - Roy Helu (RB - Nebraska Cornhuskers)

9. Minnesota Vikings - Christian Ballard (DT - Iowa Hawkeyes)

10. Seattle Seahawks - Kris Durham (WR - Georgia Bulldogs)

11. Denver Broncos - Quinton Carter (SS - Oklahoma Sooners)

12. Tennessee Titans - Colin McCarthy (OLB - Miami Hurricanes)

13. Dallas Cowboys - David Arkin (G - Missouri State Bears)

14. Miami Dolphins - Edmond Gates (WR - Abilene Christian Wildcats)

15. St. Louis Rams - Greg Salas (WR - Hawaii Warriors)

16. Oakland Raiders - Chimdi Chekwa (CB - Ohio State Buckeyes)

17. Jacksonville Jaguars - Cecil Shorts (WR - Mount Union Raiders)

18. San Francisco 49ers - Kendall Hunter (RB - Oklahoma State Cowboys)

19. Philadelphia Eagles - Casey Matthews (ILB - Oregon Ducks)

20. New York Giants - James Brewer (T - Indiana Hoosiers)

21. Kansas City Chiefs - Jalil Brown (CB -Colorado Buffaloes)

22. Indianapolis Colts - Delone Carter - (RB - Syracuse Orange)

23. Philadelphia Eagles - Alex Henery (K - Nebraska Cornhuskers): First kicker taken in draft, ranked as the top place kicker by experts.

24. Jacksonville Jaguars - Chris Prosinski (FS - Wyoming Cowboys)

25. Buffalo Bills - Chris Hairston (T - Clemson Tigers)

26. Baltimore Ravens - Tandon Doss (WR - Indiana Hooisers)

27. Cleveland Browns - Owen Marecic (FB - Stanford Cardinal)

28. Oakland Raiders - Taiwan Jones (RB - Eastern Washington Eagles)

29. New York Jets - Bilal Powell (RB - Louisville Cardinals)

30. Houston Texans - Rashad Carmichael (RB - Virginia Tech Hokies)

31. Pittsburgh Steelers - Cortez Allen (CB - Citadel Bulldogs)

32. Denver Broncos - Julius Thomas (TE - Portland State Vikings)

33. Tennessee Titans - Jamie Harper (RB - Clemson Tigers)

34. Green Bay Packers - Davon House (CB - New Mexico St. Aggies)

For more on the New England Patriots and their draft, head over to Pats Pulpit. And for all things 2011 NFL Draft related, from the first pick to Mr. Irrelevant and everything in between, check out SB Nation's 2011 NFL Draft Hub and our NFL Draft blog, Mocking The Draft.

NFL Draft 2011 Results: Analyzing The Patriots' Picks With ESPN's Michael Smith

2011 NFL Draft Picks, New England Patriots: Ryan Mallett, Nate Solder Highlight Picks

With minutes left until the 2011 NFL Draft resumes with Rounds 4-7, let's take a minute to gather ourselves and take a look at the players that Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots have drafted so far on Thursday and Friday.

Round 1, No. 28 - Nate Solder (OT - Colorado Buffaloes)
Round 2, No. 33 - Ras-I Dowling (CB - Virginia Cavaliers)
Round 2, No. 56 - Shane Vereen (RB - California Golden Bears)
Round 3, No. 73 - Stevan Ridley (RB - LSU Tigers)
Round 3, No. 74 - Ryan Mallett (QB - Arkansas Razorbacks)

All in all, not a bad haul for the Patriots, but we won't know that for sure for several years. Mallett is certainly the biggest name that pops out on this list, yet he was the last one drafted. This draft class isn't particularly exciting so far, but by all means, it has the potential to be very effective.Remember, the Patriots care about one thing, and one thing only, when it comes to the NFL Draft: value.

New England has four picks in Rounds 4-7 on Saturday afternoon, with its first pick coming at No. 138 overall in the fifth round. Here's a look at the Pats' remaining draft picks.

Patriots Draft Picks:

Round 5, No. 138 (from Houston Texans)
Round 5, No. 159
Round 6, No. 193 (from New Orleans Saints)
Round 7, No. 219 (from Oakland Raiders)

For more on the New England Patriots and their draft, head over to Pats Pulpit. And for all things 2011 NFL Draft related, from the first pick to Mr. Irrelevant and everything in between, check out SB Nation's 2011 NFL Draft Hub and our NFL Draft blog, Mocking The Draft.

2011 NFL Draft Results: Ryan Mallet To Patriots Is 'A Dream Come True'

Ryan Mallett didn't know when he'd hear him name called in this weekend's NFL Draft, considering the fact that many had been questioning his character leading up to the draft. It ultimately took three rounds and 74 picks for Mallett to hear his name read at the podium, and it was the New England Patriots who saved him from the torture.

It was a long wait for Mallett, who was once considered one of the top quarterbacks in the draft, but in the end, he is just happy to have the opportunity to play in the NFL.

Mallett on falling to 3rd round: "Obviously it's frustrating, but for anybody to just to get a chance to play in the NFL is something that a lot of people don't get to do. It's a dream come true for me." (via Mike Reiss/ESPN Boston)

Not only does Mallett get to play on the world's biggest stage, but he gets to do so under head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady. Given the circumstances, that's a pretty good deal, no?

For more on the New England Patriots and their draft, head over to Pats Pulpit. And for all things 2011 NFL Draft related, from the first pick to Mr. Irrelevant and everything in between, check out SB Nation's 2011 NFL Draft Hub and our NFL Draft blog, Mocking The Draft.

NFL Draft 2011: Bill Belichick On Ryan Mallett: 'Definitely A Football Guy'

It's no secret that Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett, who the New England Patriots drafted with the tenth pick in the third round (No. 74 overall) in the 2011 NFL Draft on Friday night, has some character issues.

Nevertheless, that didn't stop Patriots head coach Bill Belichick from taking the Razorbacks' gunslinger, and it didn't stop him from praising him, either.

"He's definitely a football guy. He's a great kid to talk to. He's very into football. You can't wear him out - as long as you want to talk about it, he'll be there. However many hours it is, he's ready to go watch the next film or go talk about a new technique or read or whatever."

That tireless work ethic should serve both the Patriots and Mallett well over the next few years. Mallett threw for 8,388 yards and tossed 69 touchdowns in his three year career at Arkansas.

NFL Draft 2011, Rounds 4-7: Time, TV Schedule, Draft Order

The 2011 NFL Draft concludes on Saturday, with Rounds 4-7 taking place. The coverage of the final day of the draft will again take place on ESPN and NFL Network, with both networks bringing you every pick in the final rounds.

The New England Patriots have made five selections in this year's draft so far, taking Nate Solder (OT - Colorado Buffaloes), Ras-I Dowling (CB - Virginia Cavaliers), Shane Vereen (RB - California Golden Bears), Stevan Ridley (RB - LSU Tigers), and of course, Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback Ryan Mallett.

Here's a look at the complete updates schedule for the entire 2011 NFL Draft.

Patriots Draft Picks:

Round 5, No. 138 (from Houston Texans)
Round 5, No. 159
Round 6, No. 193 (from New Orleans Saints)
Round 7, No. 219 (From Oakland Raiders)

2011 NFL Draft Schedule:

Saturday, April 30, 2011 at 12:00 p.m. EDT - Rounds 4-7

Broadcast Information:

The final rounds of the 2011 NFL Draft will be aired on ESPN and the NFL Network.

The 2011 NFL Draft continues through the weekend and SB Nation has everything you need. Check it out at SB Nation's NFL Draft Hub and our NFL Draft blog Mocking the Draft.

NFL Draft Grades 2011: Patriots Earn B For Ras-I Dowling Pick

The second round of the 2011 NFL Draft began with a surprise Friday night, not so much with whom the New England Patriots selected, but that they kept the pick at all, as opposed to trading it away. With the No. 33 overall draft pick, the first pick of round two, the Pats opted to pass on a defensive end or wide receiver and instead took a cornerback, Ras-I Dowling, from Virginia. 

He only played five games in 2010, starting just two, because of injuries, but Pats Pulpit still likes the pick: 

If he can remain healthy, Dowling could be a great selection. At over 6'1" and 198 lbs, Dowling has great size for the cornerback position. In addition to that size he has long arms; he also surprised many by running a 4.4 flat 40 yard dash at the combine, and shows nice fluidity for a player of his size. He does not have the greatest ball skills or recovery speed, but his eight career interceptions shows he has some future potential as a ball hawk.  

But how's he grade? Pats Pulpit says he's a B, and so far, the readers agree, with 43 percent giving Dowling a B as well.

VIDEO: Patriots QB Ryan Mallett Featured On ESPN's Sport Science

2011 NFL Draft Third Round Results: Allen Bailey Selected By Chiefs, Falcons Take Akeem Dent

Day two of the 2011 NFL Draft is in the books, as the third round concluded late on Friday night. Here's a look at the final 13 picks of the third round of this year's draft.

2011 NFL Draft - Third Round - Picks 21-33 (Nos. 85-97)

21. Baltimore Ravens - Jah Reid (OT - Central Florida Knights)

22. Kansas City Chiefs - Allen Bailey (DE - Miami Hurricanes)

23. Indianapolis Colts - Drake Nevis (DT - LSU Tigers)

24. New Orleans Saints - Johnny Patrick (CB - Louisville Cardinals)

25. San Diego Chargers - Shareece Wright (DB - USC Trojans)

26. Philadelphia Eagles - Curtis Marsh (DB - Utah State Aggies)

27. Atlanta Falcons - Akeem Dent (ILB - Georgia Bulldogs)

28. Oakland Raiders - Joe Barksdale (OT - LSU Tigers)

29. Chicago Bears - Christopher Conte (S - California Golden Bears)

30. New York Jets - Kenrick Ellis (DT - Hampton Pirates)

31. Pittsburgh Steelers - Curtis Brown (CB - Texas Longhorns)

32. Green Bay Packers - Alexander Green (RB - Hawaii Warriors)

33. Carolina Panthers - Sione Fua (DT - Stanford Cardinal)

For more on the New England Patriots and their draft, head over to Pats Pulpit. And for all things 2011 NFL Draft related, from the first pick to Mr. Irrelevant and everything in between, check out SB Nation's 2011 NFL Draft Hub and our NFL Draft blog, Mocking The Draft.

Ryan Mallett To Patriots In 2011 NFL Draft Shocks, Impresses

Every year there's a player who seems to just keep falling and falling and falling. This year, that player was quarterback Ryan Mallett out of Arkansas, who fell from being a possible first rounder all the way to the Patriots at pick no. 74. 

Initially, this must be a kick in the teeth to Mallett. He's not getting nearly as big a payday, and barring an injury, has little shot at starting for years--at least on the Patriots. But as Mocking the Draft's Jon Dove points out, this could be the best thing to happen to the quarterback:

This is the best landing spot for Ryan Mallettbecause he lands in a stable franchise. Mallett will have the time to mature and learn how to be a true pro. The Patriots have taken on character concerns with Randy Moss and that worked out well.

Richard Hill of Pats Pulpit concurs, adding that there's just not much downside to the pick:

Mallett is the greatest quarterback, with respect to football skills and measurables, in the entire draft- bar none. I like Ponder for his NFL readiness, but Mallett has all the tools. In my evaluation of quarterbacks, Mallett ranked low as a result of little experience and, with that experience, a need to better read defenses. With Mallett sitting on the bench behind Brady for a couple years, there is no way this is a bad deal.

1) If Brady deteriorates in a couple years, Mallett will be ready in the wings.

2) If Brady does not deteriorate, Mallett can be traded for a draft pick (he cost a third rounder, which the Patriots have no problem releasing for free).

3) If Brady ends gracefully, Mallett will have experience and be ready to step right on the field.

As for Bill Belichick, who has been rumored to have had Mallett leading the position on his draft board, it was an easy choice, as he explained to Mike Mayock on NFL Network Friday night:

We thought there was real good value on the board there with Ryan. He's had an excellent college career, both at Michigan and then at Arkansas ... Won a lot of games in high school, his father was a coach. He's a football guy, he comes from a football family, which I think I can relate to. He's a good football player -- he was great value for us based on what else was on the board a that point in time, so we felt comfortable taking him .

We'll let him compete with our other quarterbacks on the team and see where it all goes. We've all seen when you don't have depth at that position, it can be a very big problem for your team. Hopefully we have it now.

Right now, Mallett fills no holes for the team, and likely isn't even all that great of an NFL player. But those two "qualities" are what makes him a perfect choice for the Pats. As loathe as we may be to admit it, Tom Brady cannot last forever. One day he will be too old to really cut it anymore. When that day comes, the Patriots will need the kind of replacement that can only be found early in the first round, or with years of preparation. 

There's no better place for Mallett and his character issues to come than New England, with a locker room and coach that will hold him accountable. There aren't many quarterbacks better to learn from than Tom Brady. There's no better situation for him, in the long run, than on a team where he will be afforded a few years to sit, learn, and grow. 

It's kind of a perfect fit. First-round talent, and in a few years, first-class preparation.

2011 NFL Draft Third Round Results: John Moffitt To Seahawks, Rams Snag Austin Pettis

The third round of the 2011 NFL Draft is nearly over, and with that in mind, let's take a look at the middle picks in the round, specifically picks 11-20.

2011 NFL Draft - Third Round - Picks 11-20 (Nos. 75-84)

11. Seattle Seahawks - John Moffitt (OG - Wisconsin Badgers)

12. Jacksonville Jaguars - William Rackley (OG - Lehigh Mountain Hawks)

13. Tennessee Titans - Jurrell Casey (DT - USC Trojans)

14. St. Louis Rams - Austin Pettis (WR - Boise State Broncos)

15. Washington Redskins - Leonard Hankerson (WR - Miami Hurricanes)

16. San Francisco 49ers - Chris Culliver (DB - South Carolina Gamecocks)

17. Oakland Raiders - DeMarcus Van Dyke (DB - Miami Hurricanes)

18. San Diego Chargers - Vincent Brown (WR - San Diego State Aztecs)

19. New York Giants - Jerrel Jernigan (WR - Troy Trojans)

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Mason Foster (ILB - Washington Huskies)

For more on the New England Patriots and their draft, head over to Pats Pulpit. And for all things 2011 NFL Draft related, from the first pick to Mr. Irrelevant and everything in between, check out SB Nation's 2011 NFL Draft Hub and our NFL Draft blog, Mocking The Draft.

NFL Draft Trade: Patriots, Raiders Exchange Picks; New England Gets 2012 Second Rounder

Minutes after surprising everyone by drafting quarterback Ryan Mallet with the No. 73 overall pick, the New England Patriots made a trade in the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft. 

The Patriots send a third-round (No. 92 overall) and fourth-round (No. 125) pick to the Oakland Raiders in exchange for the Raiders' No. 219 pick this year, and their second-round pick in 2012. That gives the Patriots two first-round picks and two second-round picks next year. Again. The rich get richer.

The updated Patriots' 2011 NFL Draft picks now looks like this: 

Round 1, No. 17 -- Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
Round 2, No. 33 -- Ras-I Dowling, CD, Virginia
Round 2, No. 56 -- Shane Vereen, RB, California
Round 3, No. 73 -- Stevan Ridley, RB, LSU (pick acquired via Houston)
Round 3, No. 74 -- Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas
Round 5, No. 138 (pick acquired via Houston) 
Round 5, No. 159
Round 6, No. 193
Round 7, No. 219 (pick acquired via Oakland)

For more on the New England Patriots and their draft, head over to Pats Pulpit. And for all things 2011 NFL Draft related, from the first pick to Mr. Irrelevant and everything in between, check out SB Nation's 2011 NFL Draft Hub and our NFL Draft blog, Mocking The Draft.

2011 NFL Draft Third Round Results: Patriots Take Stevan Ridley, Ryan Mallet

The third round of the 2011 NFL Draft is underway, and the New England Patriots had two of the first ten picks in the round. Take a look at who the Patriots picked up, as well as the rest of the selections.

2011 NFL Draft - Third Round - Picks 1-10 (Nos. 65-74)

1. Carolina Panthers - Terrell McClain (DT - South Florida Bulls)

2. Cincinnati Bengals - Dontay Moch (OLB - Nevada Wolf Pack)

3. Denver Broncos - Nate Irving (ILB - N.C. State Wolfpack)

4. Buffalo Bills - Kelvin Sheppard (ILB -  LSU Tigers)

5. Arizona Cardinals - Robert Housler (TE - Florida Atlantic Owls)

6. Kansas City Chiefs - Justin Houston (DE - Georgia Bulldogs)

7. Dallas Cowboys - DeMarco Murray (RB - Oklahoma Sooners)

8. New Orleans Saints - Martez Wilson (OLB - Illionis Fighting Illini)

9. New England Patriots - Stevan Ridley (RB - LSU Tigers)

10. New England Patriots - Ryan Mallett (QB - Arkansas Razorbacks)

For more on the New England Patriots and their draft, head over to Pats Pulpit. And for all things 2011 NFL Draft related, from the first pick to Mr. Irrelevant and everything in between, check out SB Nation's 2011 NFL Draft Hub and our NFL Draft blog, Mocking The Draft.

2011 NFL Draft Results: Patriots Take Arkansas' Ryan Mallett At No. 74

Ryan Mallett, the Arkansas quarterback with questionable character, was drafted by the New England Patriots with the tenth pick of the third round (No. 74 overall) in the 2011 NFL Draft on Friday night at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

Mallett, who has one of the best arms of any quarterback in the draft, finished his three-year career with the Arkansas Razorbacks with 8,388 career passing yards, 69 touchdowns and 24 interceptions.

Last season, Mallett completed 266-of-411 passes (64.7 completion percentage) for 3,869 yards and 32 touchdowns, but did throw a career-worst 12 interceptions and was sacked 25 times.

The major question with Mallett is undoubtedly his character issues, but Bill Belichick apparently believes that consuming Mallett in the 'Patriot Way' will cure those problems. Oh, and playing under Tom Brady isn't bad, either.

For more on the New England Patriots and their draft, head over to Pats Pulpit. And for all things 2011 NFL Draft related, from the first pick to Mr. Irrelevant and everything in between, check out SB Nation's 2011 NFL Draft Hub and our NFL Draft blog, Mocking The Draft.

2011 NFL Draft Results: Patriots Draft Stevan Ridley At No. 73 Overall

Stevan Ridley, a running back from LSU, has been been drafted with the ninth pick in the third round (No. 73 overall) in the 2011 NFL Draft on Friday night at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

Ridley racked up 1,147 rushing yards and 15 rushing touchdowns on 249 carries for the LSU Tigers in 2010. In his three-year career at LSU, Ridley finished with 1,419 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns on 306 attempts.

New England has now drafted two running backs in the 2011 NFL Draft, with the other being Cal's Shane Vereen, who was selected by the Patriots at No. 56 overall back in the second round.

For more on the New England Patriots and their draft, head over to Pats Pulpit. And for all things 2011 NFL Draft related, from the first pick to Mr. Irrelevant and everything in between, check out SB Nation's 2011 NFL Draft Hub and our NFL Draft blog, Mocking The Draft.

2011 NFL Draft Results: Patriots Selection Shane Vareen Good, But Unnecessary?

Shane Vareen is not a bad player. As Pats Pulpit points out, he fulfills many of the criteria of a solid running back selection:

When we look at the criteria of successful running backs from the draft, we find out that Vereen does very well- but just barely.

A player must have at least one 1000+ yard season while in college. Yes, his final season.

A player should accomplish the 1000+ yard season at a 5.0+ yards/carry pace. Yes, his final season.

A player should run a sub 4.55s 40 Yard Dash if they're an above average player. Yes.

A player should run a sub 4.5s 40 Yard Dash if they're an elite player. Yes, 4.49s.

A player should jump at least a 9-8 Broad Jump to succeed. No, but he jumped 9-7.

So that's nice. Vereen has a good shot at being a quality NFL running back.

Why did the Patriots need that again?

The idea that the Pats would go looking for an RB has been floating around for a while now, with many linking them to Mark Ingram. But why? The Patriots were a top-10 team in rushing yards last year, and according to some evaluations, BenJarvus Green-Ellis was one of the top running backs in the entire league, with change-of-pace back Danny Woodhead being tops amongst backs with fewer than 100 rushes. 

Vereen makes sense for a team that needed a running back, but using a second round pick on a position where the Patriots already have a dynamic 1-2 punch makes no sense with the glaring need at pass rush.

NFL Draft 2011, Round Three: Patriots Have Three Picks In Friday's Final Round

2011 NFL Draft Second Round Results: Patriots Select Shane Vereen, Trade No. 60 Overall Pick

Two rounds down, five to go in the 2011 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Here's a look at the final 12 picks of the second round.

2011 NFL Draft - Second Round - Picks 21-32 (Nos. 53-64)

21. Chicago Bears - Stephen Paea (DT - Oregon State Beavers)

22. Philadelphia Eagles - Jaiquawn Jarrett (S - Temple Owls)

23. Kansas City Chiefs - Rodney Hudson (C - Florida State Seminoles)

24. New England Patriots - Shane Vereen (RB - California Golden Bears)

25. Detroit Lions - Mikel Leshoure (RB - Illinois Fighting Illini)

26. Baltimore Ravens - Torrey Smith (WR - Maryland Terrapins)

27. Cleveland Browns - Greg Little - (WR - North Carolina Tar Heels)

28. Houston Texans - Brandon Harris (DB - Miami Hurricanes): This was the Patriots' third and final pick of the second round, that is, until they traded it away to Houston.

29. San Diego Chargers - Jonas Mouton - (OLB - Michigan Wolverines)

30. Miami Dolphins - Daniel Thomas (RB - Kansas State Wildcats)

31. Pittsburgh Steelers - Marcus Gilbert (OT - Florida Gators)

32. Green Bay Packers - Randall Cobb (WR - Kentucky Wildcats)

For more on the New England Patriots and their draft, head over to Pats Pulpit. And for all things 2011 NFL Draft related, from the first pick to Mr. Irrelevant and everything in between, check out SB Nation's 2011 NFL Draft Hub and our NFL Draft blog, Mocking The Draft.

NFL Draft Trade: Patriots Trade No. 60 Overall Pick To Texans

The New England Patriots have traded the 28th pick in the second round (No. 60 overall) to the Houston Texans in exchange for the No. 73 overall pick in the third round and the No. 138 overall pick. 

Houston used the 60th pick to draft Miami Hurricanes cornerback Brandon Harris, who amassed 129 career tackles, four interceptions and three forced fumbles in three seasons in South Beach.

New England drafted Virginia Cavailers cornerback Ras-I Dowling with the first pick of the second round (No. 33 overall) and California Golden Bears running back Shane Vereen with the 24th pick of the second round (No. 56 overall).

For more on the New England Patriots and their draft, head over to Pats Pulpit. And for all things 2011 NFL Draft related, from the first pick to Mr. Irrelevant and everything in between, check out SB Nation's 2011 NFL Draft Hub and our NFL Draft blog, Mocking The Draft.

2011 NFL Draft Results: Patriots Take Shane Vereen At No. 56 Overall

Shane Vereen, a 5'10" running back from Cal, is the latest player to be drafted by the New England Patriots, who drafted him with the 24th pick in the second round (No. 56 overall) in the 2011 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

Vereen racked up 2,834 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns in three seasons with the Golden Bears. Last season, Vereen amassed 1,167 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns on 231 carries for California.

In 12 games in 2010, Vereen rushed for more than 100 yards six times and scored at least one touchdown in seven games (he scored two or more touchdowns in a game five times last season).

For more on the New England Patriots and their draft, head over to Pats Pulpit. And for all things 2011 NFL Draft related, from the first pick to Mr. Irrelevant and everything in between, check out SB Nation's 2011 NFL Draft Hub and our NFL Draft blog, Mocking The Draft.

2011 NFL Draft Second Round Results: Da'Quan Bowers Falls To Buccaneers At No. 51 Overall

We're almost through the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Here's a look at the middle picks of the round, selections No. 43 overall through No. 52 overall. Take a look.

2011 NFL Draft - Second Round - Picks 11-20 (Nos. 43-52)

11. Minnesota Vikings - Kyle Rudolph (TE - Notre Dame Fighting Irish): I suppose the Vikings forgot that they needed a quarterback. Ryan Mallet was still available, yet the Vikings chose to pass over him. We'll see how that plays out.

12. Detroit Lions - Titus Young (WR - Boise State Broncos): Young was the first wide receiver drafted in the second round, and will join forces with Calvin Johnson in Detroit. Lions are starting to look good (ok, well, better).

13. Denver Broncos - Rahim Moore (S - UCLA Bruins)

14. Denver Broncos - Orlando Franklin (OG - Miami Hurricanes)

15. St. Louis Rams - Lance Kendricks (TE - Wisconsin Badgers)

16. Oakland Raiders - Stefen Wisniewski (C - Penn State Nittany Lions)

17. Indianapolis Colts - Benjamin Ijalana (OT - Villanova Wildcats)

18. San Diego Chargers - Marcus Gilchrist (DB - Clemson Tigers)

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Da'Quan Bowers (DE - Clemson Tigers): The second straight Clemson product to be drafted, and the Bowers saga is finally over. The once-projected top pick slipped to the No. 51 overall pick.

20. New York Giants - Marvin Austin (DT - North Carolina Tar Heels)

For more on the New England Patriots and their draft, head over to Pats Pulpit. And for all things 2011 NFL Draft related, from the first pick to Mr. Irrelevant and everything in between, check out SB Nation's 2011 NFL Draft Hub and our NFL Draft blog, Mocking The Draft.

2011 NFL Draft Results: Patriots Choice Of Ras-I Dowling Receives Mixed Reactions

While many speculated that the Patriots were interested in dealing the first pick in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft, they chose instead to go out and get their man: cornerback Ras-I Dowling out of Virginia. The question is, was he the right man?

Pats Pulpit's Richard Hill certainly seems to think so, calling Dowling the "best fit corner" for the Patriots:

The Patriots did not have a workout with the 6-1, 200 lbs Dowling. He was a first round prospect entering his final season, but was hampered by injuries and dropped out of the first round. He was a team captain and, prior to his senior year, was a very healthy player. He's the best zone corner in the draft, which plays well with the Patriots' style of defense and he's a strong tackler. 

...

Overall, I'm sure some people are disappointed that the Patriots couldn't move #33, but Dowling is the best fit corner for the Patriots defense in the entire draft and would not have been available if the Patriots traded down.

Dan Kadar of Mocking The Draft is not nearly so convinced, however, citing Dowling's difficulty staying on the field as the main knock against him:

Dowling is the latest cornerback for the Patriots to take. The team took Devin McCourty last season, and he looks like a promising player. The Patriots now may have themselves a pair of starters at cornerback for years. That is, if Dowling can stay healthy.

Following the 2010 season, Dowling looked like a solid first-round pick. He was more regarded than Vikings second-round pick Chris Cook and budding Cavaliers star Chase Minniefield. Other than his injury history, Dowling has the look of a top-level cornerback. Staying healthy, though, has been such an issue that it's hard to think too highly of him.

2011 NFL Draft Second Round Results: Patriots Take Ras-I Dowling, Andy Dalton To Bengals

The second round of the 2011 NFL Draft is underway at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, and the first ten picks of the round are in the books. Here's a look at the selections.

2011 NFL Draft - Second Round- Picks 1-10 (Nos. 33-42 Overall)

1. New England Patriots - Ras-I Dowling (CB - Virginia Cavaliers)

2. Buffalo Bills - Aaron Williams (CB - Texas Longhorns)

3. Cincinnati Bengals - Andy Dalton (QB - TCU Horned Frogs)

4. San Francisco 49ers - Colin Kaepernick (QB - Nevada Wolf Pack)

5. Cleveland Browns - Jabaal Sheard (DE - Pittsburgh Panthers)

6. Arizona Cardinals - Ryan Williams (RB - Virginia Tech Hokies)

7. Tennessee Titans - Akeem Ayers (OLB - UCLA Bruins)

8. Dallas Cowboys - Bruce Carter (OLB - North Carolina Tar Heels)

9. Washington Redskins - Jarvis Jenkins (DT - Clemson Tigers)

10. Houston Texans - Brooks Reed (DE - Arizona Wildcats)

For more on the New England Patriots and their draft, head over to Pats Pulpit. And for all things 2011 NFL Draft related, from the first pick to Mr. Irrelevant and everything in between, check out SB Nation's 2011 NFL Draft Hub and our NFL Draft blog, Mocking The Draft.

2011 NFL Draft Results: Patriots Select Ras-I Dowling At No. 33 Overall

Ras-I Dowling has been drafted by the New England Patriots with the first pick in the second round (No. 33 overall) in the 2011 NFL Draft on Friday afternoon at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

Dowling, a cornerback from the University of Virginia, totaled 159 tackles, eight interceptions and three forced fumbles in four seasons with the Cavaliers. In 2010, Dowling totaled just 15 tackles (12 solo).

The 6'2", 200-pound defensive back missed the majority of his senior season due to a knee injury, but it apparently wasn't that big of a deal for Patriots head coach Bill Belichick.

For more on the New England Patriots and their draft, head over to Pats Pulpit. And for all things 2011 NFL Draft related, from the first pick to Mr. Irrelevant and everything in between, check out SB Nation's 2011 NFL Draft Hub and our NFL Draft blog, Mocking The Draft.

WEEI.com: Five Names To Keep An Eye On At No. 33

NFL Draft 2011, Second Round: Time, TV Schedule Draft Order

NFL Draft 2011: Where Will BC's Mark Herzlich Be Drafted?

The simple answer to the question in the headline is, well, no one knows for sure. Mark Herzlich, a senior linebacker at Boston College, has overcome so much in the past few years at Boston College, and by all accounts should transition into a quality linebacker at the next level.

Naturally, teams and scouts are worried that Herzlich's bout with Ewing's Sarcoma took some of his speed, and based on his 40 times, that's a valid concern. However, having been around Herzlich for the past year, it's clear that he is willing to put in as much work as he possibly can to become a standout linebacker.

Yet, we again return to the question: where will Herzlich be drafted? We know it won't be the first round, considering that it's over and done with, and some experts speculate that Herzlich could be drafted as high as the second round.

BC Soaring to Glory, a Boston College sports blog, examines the case of Herzlich, bringing in some outside perspective.

NESN writer Jeff Howe believes Herzlich to be the top sleeper in the draft this season. Perhaps this is a little bit of home cooking, or perhaps it isn't, but whatever team selects Herzlich is going to get a hard-nosed player. We know, his 2010 football form wasn't the same as the Herzlich of old, but it was still good enough to warrant him serious looks from NFL teams. The Chicago Tribune is also high on Herzlich, saying that he could be quite the "mid-to-late-round steal" if he is able to improve upon his senior season at BC and turn back the clock. (via BC Soaring)

Of course, given the local connection, there's always the possibility that Herzlich could land with the Patriots.

So, where might this fine young man land? We'll take a further look at the mock drafts next week, of course, but for those of you in the Patriots fan circle, you may be able to root for Herzlich even longer. WEEI maintains that Mark is high on the list of late-round possibilities. After all, who doesn't want to root for the hometown hero?

Yet in the end, even BC Soaring couldn't give a definitive answer exactly when Herzlich will go. With that being the case, keep your eyes and ears out for Herzlich at this weekend's draft.

NFL Draft 2011: Best Available In Round 2

The first round of the 2011 NFL Draft is in the books, but that doesn't mean there still isn't talent to be found. Pats Pulpit, SB Nation's New England Patriots blog, takes a look at the best available players entering Round 2 on Friday night.

Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson Tigers

Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA Bruins

Aaron Williams, CB, Texas Longhorns

Kyle Rudolph, TE, Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Andy Dalton, QB, TCU Horned Frogs

Mikel Leshoure, RB, Illinois Fighting Illini

Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas Razorbacks

Making matters more interesting, the Patriots will have their pick at any and all of these talented players. Or, none of them at all, as Pats Pulpit predicts that head coach Bill Belichick will trade away the first pick in the second round (No. 33 overall).

With the Bills picking at #34 and the Bengals drafted at #35, teams will have to move up to grab a quarterback. The Patriots should profit from a serious bidding war and I wouldn't be surprised if they receiver similar value, if not more, at #33 than they received at #28. I don't expect the Patriots to pick again until the middle of the second round. By that point, the draft board should be more clear.

For more the New England Patriots and their draft, head over to Pats Pulpit. And for all things 2011 NFL Draft related, from the first pick to Mr. Irrelevant and everything in between, check out SB Nation's 2011 NFL Draft Hub and our NFL Draft blog, Mocking The Draft.

Nate Solder Will Play Left Tackle For Patriots, Says Bill Belichick

NFL Draft, Second Round: Patriots Own Three Picks Friday Night

The 2011 NFL Draft continues Friday, with both the second and third rounds. Round two of the NFL Draft is set to begin at 6 p.m. ET, with the round three to follow. Once again, all the picks will air live on ESPN and NFL Network. The time between picks is shortened from 10 minutes to seven minutes for the second round, and then just five minutes from the third round on.

Thanks to their trade with the New Orleans Saints Thursday night that saw the Pats give up their No. 28 overall pick, New England will be busy Friday night, with a total of five picks.

Round 2, No. 33
Round 2., No. 56 (via New Orleans)
Round 2, No. 60
Round 3, No. 74
Round 3, No. 92

Assuming the Patriots keep the No. 33 pick (the first of the second round) -- a lot of projections have them trading it away to the highest bidder -- some round two mock drafts have New England taking Clemson DE Da'Quan Bowers (who surprisingly is still available) and North Carolina WR Greg Little. 

For more the New England Patriots and their draft, head over to Pats Pulpit. And for all things 2011 NFL Draft related, from the first pick to Mr. Irrelevant and everything in between, check out SB Nation's 2011 NFL Draft Hub and our NFL Draft blog, Mocking The Draft.

Patriots Draft Picks 2011: Who Is Nate Solder?

The New England Patriots had a pair of first-round picks entering the the 2011 NFL Draft Thursday, but a late trade sent their No. 28 overall selection to the New Orleans Saints, leaving the Pats with just the No. 17 pick in Round 1. Bill Belichick and company used that to take Nate Solder, an offensive lineman from Colorado. So, just what are the Patriots getting in Solder? 

In short: Solder has "Great potential with a monstrous frame," writes Pats Pulpit.

Solder -- 6'8, 319 lbs -- is a massive offensive tackle who was a four-year starter with the Buffaloes. Although he was considered by many to be the third-best OT on the board, behind Gabe Camiri and Anthony Castonzo, he was the first taken, which surprised many, including Pats Pulpit. But that doesn't mean he won't be a good addition to the Patriots; offensive line: 

He is a former tight end and is one of the most athletic tackles in the draft. He allowed just five sacks over three season at Colorado, and is already pretty polished as a pass blocker. He needs to add some strength, and needs some work as a run blocker. Overall, however, Solder has one of the highest ceilings of any left tackle in this draft. 

Perhaps most important though is what Tom Brady thinks, since Solder will be protecting him for (hopefully) years to come: "Picking an offensive lineman always makes a QB happy."

For more the New England Patriots and their draft, head over to Pats Pulpit. And for all things 2011 NFL Draft related, from the first pick to Mr. Irrelevant and everything in between, check out SB Nation's 2011 NFL Draft Hub and our NFL Draft blog, Mocking The Draft.

NFL Draft 2011 Grades: Patriots Earn A- For Nate Solder Pick At SB Nation

2011 NFL Draft Picks, New England Patriots: Nate Solder And A Trade For Bill Belichick

After plenty of rumors and speculation surrounding a potential trade to get into the top-10 of the 2011 NFL Draft, the New England Patriots held pat (get it??), and used the No. 17 overall pick to take Nate Solder, an offensive lineman out of Colorado. 

The Patriots also had the No. 28 overall pick Thursday night, but that one they opted to trade away, sending it to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for their second round pick this year (No. 56 overall) and the Saints' first-round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft; New Orleans used the pick to take Alabama RB Mark Ingram. 

In all, the Pats left the first day of the 2011 NFL Draft with a left tackle for the future, plus a couple more picks. But why Solder, especially when both Gabe Carimi and BC's Anthony Castonzo were both still available? Turns out Bill Belichick had some inside information (via Pats Pulpit): 

When Strength and Conditioning coach Mike Woicik left at the end of the season, the Patriots hired Moses Cabrera to be the new assistant to the promoted Harold Nash. Cabrera was the strength and conditioning coach at Fresno State from 2004-09 and he actually spent the entire 2010 season as the strength and conditioning coach for Colorado. It turns out that the Patriots were able to learn about Solder without revealing their interest to the other teams.

The Patriots didn't meet with Solder until this past Monday, when offensive line coach Dante Scarneccia ran him through some basic drills. It seems that Cabrera's information helped the Patriots make this extremely important draft pick.

For more the New England Patriots and their draft, head over to Pats Pulpit. And for all things 2011 NFL Draft related, from the first pick to Mr. Irrelevant and everything in between, check out SB Nation's 2011 NFL Draft Hub and our NFL Draft blog, Mocking The Draft.

2011 NFL Draft Results: Surprises Abound In First Round Thursday Night

The first round of the 2011 NFL Draft is in the books, and as was expected, Cam Newton was the No. 1 overall pick. The Carolina Panthers took him with their selection, getting what they hope is their quarterback of the future. But many of the NFL Draft results were not as status quo. 

The Atlanta Falcons traded up to get WR Julio Jones. The Tennessee Titans took Jake Locker, QB from Washington, in perhaps the first round's biggest surprise. Auburn's Nick Fairley fell to No. 13 (Detroit Lions), and Clemson defensive end Da'Quan Bowers fell so far that he's still available, expected to be one of the first second-round picks taken. 

The New England Patriots used their No. 17 pick on Colorado OG Nate Solder, and then opted to trade their No. 28 pick to New Orleans in exchange for the Saints second rounder (No. 56 overall) and their first-round pick in 2012. 

In the AFC East, the Buffalo Bills took Alabama DL Marcell Dareus (No. 2 overall), the Miami Dolphins grabbed Florida's Mike Pouncey (No. 15) and the New York Jets drafted Muhammad Wilkerson, a DT out of Temple.

Round two picks up Friday at 6 pm ET. Here's the complete list of round one picks:

2011 NFL Draft, Second Round: Patriots Have Five Picks In Rounds 2 & 3 On Friday

NFL Draft Trade: Patriots 'Cannot Lose' In Deal With Saints

Bill Belichick has done it again, trading the no. 28 overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft to the Saints for their second round pick (no. 56) and their first round selection in 2012.

In a way, it wouldn't be draft day without the Patriots trading down out of the first and stockpiling future picks. And, as is the case with many trades involving future picks, Richard Hill of Pats Pulpit doesn't see how the Patriots can end up as losers:

Coach Bill Belichick had been talking about the value of drafting a first round running back before the draft, so he clearly was not interested in drafting RB Mark Ingram. However, the New Orleans Saints were definitely interested. In exchange for the Patriots' 28th overall pick, the Saints gave their current 2nd round pick (#56) and their 2012 1st round pick. Looking at the draft chart, the Patriots have made a deal where they cannot lose in value (assuming that the future pick is worth the middle of the next round from this year).

One thing worth consideration is that, the four picks left between the pick they traded and their next selection at no. 33 were all offensive and defensive lineman, which are clearly the positions of need for the Patriots.

2011 NFL Draft Results: Mark Ingram Goes To New Orleans As Saints Trade For Patriots' Pick

The first round of the 2011 NFL Draft has come to a close, with the Patriots trading their first round pick to the New Orleans Saints for their second round pick (no. 56 overall) and their first round selection in 2012.

2011 NFL Draft - First Round Picks - Picks 21-32

21. Cleveland (from Kansas City) - Phil Taylor (DT - Baylor)

22. Indianapolis - Anthony Castonzo (OT - Boston College)

23. Philadelphia - Danny Watkins (OG - Baylor)

24. New Orleans - Cameron Jordan (DE - California)

25. Seattle - James Carpenter (OG - Alabama)

26. Kansas City* - Jon Baldwin (WR - Pittsburgh)

27. Baltimore - Jimmy Smith (CB - Colorado)

28. New Orleans - Mark Ingram (RB - Alabama)

29. Chicago - Gabe Carimi (OT - Wisconsin)

30. New York Jets - Muhammad Wilkerson (DE - Temple)

31. Pittsburgh - Cameron Heyward (DE - Ohio State)

32. Green Bay - Derek Sherrod (OT - Mississippi State)

*A curious thing occurred when the Ravens were scheduled to make their pick: the clock hit zero, and Baltimore...passed. Apparently, a trade was in the works, leading the Ravens to look for more time and allow the Kansas City Chiefs to 

For more the New England Patriots and their draft, head over to Pats Pulpit. And for all things 2011 NFL Draft related, from the first pick to Mr. Irrelevant and everything in between, check out SB Nation's 2011 NFL Draft Hub and our NFL Draft blog, Mocking The Draft.

NFL Draft Trade: Patriots Trade No. 28 Overall Pick To New Orleans Saints

After drafting Nate Solder with the No. 17 overall pick, the New England Patriots decided they had all they needed in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft.

New England, which also owned the No. 28 overall pick in the first round, traded the selection to the New Orleans Saints, who used it to draft Alabama running back Mark Ingram. Here are the terms of the deal (via SB Nation).

Ingram rushed for 875 yards and 13 touchdowns on 158 carries in 2010. In three seasons at Alabama, Ingram rushed for 3,261 yards and 42 touchdowns on 572 carries.

2011 NFL Draft Results: Nate Solder A Solid If Suprising Pick For Patriots

As per usual, Bill Belichick has made his first round draft pick a surprise, selecting offensive lineman Nate Solder out of Colorado.

And, as per usual, Patriots fans aren't entirely sure how to respond. First there's the confusion, then the surprise, and finally that feeling that Bill Belichick just didn't quite get all of that one. If the feeling is familiar, it's because it was the same one inspired by the Devin McCourty selection inspired in 2010.

Greg Knopping of Pats Pulpit knows that feeling, and wonders what the implications are for Matt Light. Still, he recognizes that Solder is, if not the most exciting pick, a strong one:

While Solder was my third ranked tackle on the board, I am honestly surprised to see him go at the 17th overall spot to the Patriots, especially with Gabe Carimi and Anthony Castonzo still on the board at the position.

I also wonder what this pick means for Matt Light. Solder is considered somewhat of a pure left tackle without the versatility of an Anthony Castonzo or Gabe Carimi.

...

He needs to add some strength, and needs some work as a run blocker. Overall, however, Solder has one of the highest ceilings of any left tackle in this draft.  

Meanwhile, Christopher Price over at WEEI notes that, combined with Sebastian Vollmer, Solder creates a big anchor for an offensive line that's undergoing a lot of changes:

New England offensive line has undergone pretty big changes this offseason - the uncertainty around the future of tackles Light and Nick Kaczur, and the retirement of guard Stephen Neal - and Solder certainly has a chance to step in and contribute immediately. The 6-foot-8, 314-pound Solder and the 6-foot-8, 314-pound Sebastian Vollmer give the Patriots a pair of massive tackles.

For more on the New England Patriots and their draft, head over to Pats Pulpit. And for all things 2011 NFL Draft related, from the first pick to Mr. Irrelevant and everything in between, check out SB Nation's 2011 NFL Draft Hub and our NFL Draft blog, Mocking The Draft.

2011 NFL Draft Results: Anthony Castonzo Drafted No. 22 Overall By Indianapolis Colts

Boston College offensive lineman Anthony Castonzo was drafted No. 22 overall pick by the Indianapolis Colts on Thursday night in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

Castonzo, a 6'7", 308-pound offensive tackle from Hawthorn Woods, Illinois, set the school record for most career starts with 54 at Boston College. He was named to the Associated Press All-American Third Team and was named an All-ACC first team honoree in his senior season.

In 2010, Castonzo started all 13 games at left tackle for the Eagles and blocked for standout junior running back Montel Harris, who earned All-ACC First Team honors and rushed for a conference-best 1,243 yards and eight touchdowns.

Castonzo not only excelled on the field, but also in the classroom, earning a nomination for the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship. In 2006, Castonzo played at the Fork Union Military Academy in Virginia, under head coach John Shuman.

For more on the New England Patriots and their draft, head over to Pats Pulpit. And for all things 2011 NFL Draft related, from the first pick to Mr. Irrelevant and everything in between, check out SB Nation's 2011 NFL Draft Hub and our NFL Draft blog, Mocking The Draft.

2011 NFL Draft Results: Nate Solder To Patriots, Prince Amukamara To Giants

The first round of the 2011 NFL Draft is almost in the books, and as usual, there have been many shocking picks along the way. Here's a look at picks No. 11 through No. 20 of the first round.

2011 NFL Draft - First Round - Picks 11-20

11. Houston Texans - J.J. Watt (DE - Wisconsin Badgers)

12. Minnesota Vikings - Christian Ponder (QB - Florida State Seminoles)

13. Detroit Lions - Nick Fairley (DT - Auburn Tigers)

14. St. Louis Rams - Robert Quinn (DE - North Carolina Tar Heels)

15. Miami Dolphins - Mike Pouncey (C - Florida Gators)

16. Washington Redskins - Ryan Kerrigan (DE - Purdue Boilermakers)

17. New England Patriots - Nate Solder (OT - Colorado Buffaloes)

18. San Diego Chargers - Corey Liuget (DT - Illinois Fighting Illini)

19. New York Giants - Prince Amukamara (DB - Nebraska Cornhuskers)

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Adrian Clayborn (DE - Iowa Hawkeyes)

For more on the New England Patriots and their draft, head over to Pats Pulpit. And for all things 2011 NFL Draft related, from the first pick to Mr. Irrelevant and everything in between, check out SB Nation's 2011 NFL Draft Hub and our NFL Draft blog, Mocking The Draft.

2011 NFL Draft Results: Nate Solder Drafted No. 17 Overall By New England Patriots

Nate Solder has been drafted with the No. 17 overall pick by the New England Patriots on Thursday night in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

Solder, a 6'8", 319-pound offensive tackle from Colorado, is a big body who should definitely help the Pats up front. He has an arm length of 35.4" and a hand size of 9.699".

In addition, Solder was the first offensive tackle at Colorado to receive All-American honors since Stan Brock back in 1979. Solder is a workhorse, playing 2,540 of 2,542 possible downs from his sophomore season to his senior year.

In three seasons with the Buffaloes, Solder allowed a mere five sacks and allowed 21 total pressures. During Solder's senior season, he played in all 12 of Colorado's games and played a grand total of 847 snaps. 

For more on the New England Patriots and their draft, head over to Pats Pulpit. And for all things 2011 NFL Draft related, from the first pick to Mr. Irrelevant and everything in between, check out SB Nation's 2011 NFL Draft Hub and our NFL Draft blog, Mocking The Draft.

2011 NFL Draft Results: Julio Jones To Atlanta In Trade, Titans Reach For Jake Locker

Picks five through ten of the 2011 NFL Draft are in.

With the No. 5 pick, the Arizona Cardinals selected cornerback Patrick Peterson out of LSU. A Thorpe Award winner, Peterson has what it takes to be a shutdown defender in the NFL wherever he winds up in the secondary, relying on great instincts to make up for anything he might be lacking physically.

The No. 6 overall pick of the draft was Alabama wide receiver Julio Jones, but his destination will not be Cleveland. Instead, Jones is headed to the Atlanta Falcons, who pulled off the first trade of the year by sending five picks to the Browns. Cleveland will receive the Falcons' first, second, and fourth round picks this year (Nos. 27, 59, and 124 overall) as well as their first and fourth round picks in 2012. After experiencing a sophomore slump in his 2009 season, Jones proved he wasn't one to be kept down, racking up over 1,100 yards and scoring seven touchdowns in his Junior year.

At No. 7 overall, the San Francisco 49ers selected Missouri defensive end Aldon Smith, who made 108 tackles and picked up 17 sacks over his two years playing with the Tigers.

The No. 8 overall pick was the first real shocker of the draft, as the Titans reached for Jake Locker earlier than anyone expected. With Vince Young out in Tennessee, the Titans needed a replacement under center. The question is how well, how quickly, and ultimately if Locker will adapt to the NFL.

Seeing offensive tackle Tyron Smith out of USC go at No. 9 was also surprising, but for different reasons. The Jerry Jones era in Dallas has lasted 22 years, and in that time the franchise has never once used a first round pick on an offensive lineman. An amazing athlete, at 6'5" and 307 lbs. Smith seems to have been the specimen convincing enough to change his mind.

The No. 10 pick was the subject of the second trade of the year, with Washington trading down and Jacksonville trading up to select quarterback Blaine Gabbert out of Missouri. A strong arm with good accuracy, Gabbert's biggest question marks come in both the mental aspects of the game, and his difficulty combining his two strengths for accurate downfield passes. Gabbert will have time to develop all of that, however, while backing up current Jacksonville quarterback David Garrard.

For more on the New England Patriots and their draft, head over to Pats Pulpit. And for all things 2011 NFL Draft related, from the first pick to Mr. Irrelevant and everything in between, check out SB Nation's 2011 NFL Draft Hub and our NFL Draft blog, Mocking The Draft.

2011 NFL Draft Results: Von Miller To Broncos, Marcell Dareus To Bills

Cam Newton was the first of many to have his name called by Roger Goodell in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft on Thursday night at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. As expected, Newton's name was called first, as he was drafted with the top pick by the Carolina Panthers.

Von Miller, a linebacker from Texas A&M, was drafted No. 2 overall by the Denver Broncos. Miller played four seasons with the Aggies, totaling 178 tackles, 33 sacks and one interception.

With the No. 3 overall pick, Marcell Dareus was selected by the Buffalo Bills. Dareus, a junior defensive tackle from Alabama, had 66 tackles, 11 sacks and one interception in two seasons with the Crimson Tide.

Coming in at No. 4 overall, the Cincinnati Bengals drafted Georgia wide receiver A.J. Green. Green racked up 848 receiving yards and nine touchdowns on 57 catches in 2010, and finished his three-year career with 2,619 receiving yards and 23 touchdowns.

For more on the New England Patriots and their draft, head over to Pats Pulpit. And for all things 2011 NFL Draft related, from the first pick to Mr. Irrelevant and everything in between, check out SB Nation's 2011 NFL Draft Hub and our NFL Draft blog, Mocking The Draft.

2011 NFL Draft Results: Cam Newton Drafted No. 1 Overall By Carolina Panthers

Cam Newton has been drafted No. 1 overall by the Carolina Panthers in the 2011 NFL Draft on Thursday night at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

Newton, a 6'6", 250-pound quarterback who was the unanimous top choice entering the draft, is coming off a stellar year with the Auburn Tigers, winning the Heisman Trophy and leading the Tigers to a BCS National Championship.

In 13 games last season, Newton completed 185-of-280 passes (66.1 completion percentage) and threw for 2,854 yards and 30 touchdowns while throwing just seven interceptions. In the championship game against Oregon, Newton was 20-for-34 for 265 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in Auburn's 22-19 victory.

Not only did Newton excel under center, but also on the ground, rushing for 1,473 yards and 20 touchdowns on 264 carries last season. Newton, who played with the Florida Gators in 2007 and 2008, finished his collegiate career with 2,908 passing yards and 30 touchdowns, as well as 1,586 rushing yards and 24 rushing touchdowns.

Newton has been described as a project pick, considering that he is not fully developed in the pocket. However, most experts agree that Newton has a boatload of potential that could ultimately turn him into a star quarterback in the NFL.

For more on the New England Patriots and their draft, head over to Pats Pulpit. And for all things 2011 NFL Draft related, from the first pick to Mr. Irrelevant and everything in between, check out SB Nation's 2011 NFL Draft Hub and our NFL Draft blog, Mocking The Draft.

2011 NFL Draft: Patriots Reportedly Talking With Cowboys About Moving Up To Take Cameron Jordan

The New England Patriots have been tabbed to draft Cameron Jordan (DE, California) in a handful of 2011 NFL Mock Drafts (most recently, in Mike Mayock's and Rick Gosselin's projections). And the experts must be on to something because according to ESPN's Chris Mortensen, the Pats are in talks with the Dallas Cowboys to trade-up to the No. 9 overall selection where they would take Jordan. 

Jordan, 6-4 and 287 pounds, is the type of pass-rushing specialist the Pats are eyeing in the 2011 NFL Draft. There's no word on what New England would give up in return, but it's fair to assume one of their first-rounders would be sent to Dallas, if not both. 

Pats Pulpit profiled Jordan earlier this month, caling him "almost everything the Patriots want in a DE": 

I like Jordan a lot. I feel like his skill set matches the Patriots and he has a chance to be a stud at the next level. He won't rack up the sacks, but I feel like his pass rushing potential is greater than all the other DEs, other than Watt. On the run defense, I like Jordan a lot more than Watt, and I feel like Jordan has more upside that Heyward. When it comes to pure athleticism and upside, I like Jordan more than Wilkerson. Jordan needs to put on weight, but that's something that can be done. I was a fan of Tyson Alualu last year and he went on to be a solid success for the Jaguars; I feel like Jordan can be even better. I like Jordan's fit with the Patriots.

The first round of the 2011 NFL Draft starts at 8 p.m. (ET) on Thursday, April 28th and SB Nation has everything you need to prepare for it - NFL mock drafts, draft projections, scouting reports, the full NFL draft schedule and more. Check it all out at SB Nation's 2011 NFL Draft Hub and our NFL Draft blog Mocking the Draft. 

2011 NFL Draft: Predictions For Thursday's First Round

NFL Draft 2011: Start Time, TV Schedule, Draft Order And More

2011 NFL Draft: Patriots Reportedly In Talks With Browns About No. 6 Pick

According to the Boston Globe's Greg Bedard, the New England Patriots have been in talks with the Cleveland Browns about their No. 6 overall pick in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft, which begins Thursday night at 8 p.m. ET. 

Bill Belichick and company could package a couple of picks -- they have six of the first 92 picks, after all -- perhaps their two first round selections, Nos. 17 and 28 overall, to move up, with the target being Robert Quinn, a DE/OLB from North Carolina -- and a pass-rushing specialist. 

Some aren't convinced that Quinn, who had surgery to remove a benign brain tumor in high school, can stand up full-time in the 3-4. The Patriots make those kind of conversion judgments every year, and went through it with Cunningham, who has the look of a solid player but is lacking as a pass rusher at this point.

Besides that, Quinn fits the Patriots' profile at the position at 6 feet 4 inches, 264 pounds, with 4.64 speed. In two seasons, he had 25 1/2 tackles for a loss and 13 sacks.

Quinn did not play in 2010 -- he was suspended by the NCAA for accepting benefits from an agent. 

Besides Quinn though, the Patriots could also have their eyes on Patrick Peterson (CB, LSU) and Julio Jones (WR, Alabama). 

In the latest SB Nation 2011 NFL Mock Draft, they have Quinn going to the Browns at No. 6, saying he "barely trumps [Auburn's DT] Nick Fairley."

The first round of the 2011 NFL Draft starts at 8 p.m. (ET) on Thursday, April 28th and SB Nation has everything you need to prepare for it - NFL mock drafts, draft projections, scouting reports, the full NFL draft order and more. Check it all out at SB Nation's NFL Draft Hub and our NFL Draft blog Mocking the Draft.

2011 NFL Draft Order For Thursday Night's First Round

The biggest non-sports day in sports is here. Thursday night, the 2011 NFL Draft begins. The first round is set to begin at 8 p.m. ET, on ESPN and the NFL Network, and at 8:04, the Carolina Panthers will officially be on the clock.

For the first round, teams will have 10 minutes to make their selection. In the second round, time allotted drops to seven minutes between each choice, and beginning with Round 3, teams have just five minutes in between picks.

Here's the complete 2011 NFL Draft order, determined by last year's records:

1. Carolina Panthers
2. Denver Broncos
3. Buffalo Bills
4. Cincinnati Bengals
5. Arizona Cardinals
6. Cleveland Browns
7. San Francisco 49ers
8. Tennessee Titans
9. Dallas Cowboys
10. Washington Redskins
11. Houston Texans
12. Minnesota Vikings
13. Detroit Lions
14. St. Louis Rams
15. Miami Dolphins
16. Jacksonville Jaguars
17. New England Patriots (from Oakland Raiders)
18. San Diego Chargers
19. New York Giants
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
21. Kansas City Chiefs
22. Indianapolis Colts
23. Philadelphia Eagles
24. New Orleans Saints
25. Seattle Seahawks
26. Baltimore Ravens
28. New England Patriots
29. Chicago Bears
30. New York Jets
31. Pittsburgh Steelers
32. Green Bay Packers

The first round of the 2011 NFL Draft starts at 8 p.m. (ET) on Thursday, April 28th and SB Nation has everything you need to prepare for it - NFL mock drafts, draft projections, scouting reports, the full NFL draft order and more. Check it all out at SB Nation's NFL Draft Hub and our NFL Draft blog Mocking the Draft.

NFL Draft 2011: Patriots Heavily In Involved In Draft-Day Trade Rumors

The 2011 NFL Draft begins Thursday night, with the first round airing in primetime. The New England Patriots have two picks in the opening round, three of the first 33 selections and six picks overall in the first three rounds. But, as Bill Belichick and company are known to do, there is already talk that their picks will be involved in some draft-day dealings. 

SB Nation's 2011 NFL Mock Draft has already detailed the Pats trading up to No. 13 to land Alabama's Julio Jones, and now ESPN's Adam Schefter has identified the Patriots (as well as the Eagles) as a couple of potential teams that will try to improve their draft position. NFL.com's Mike Lombardi thinks it will be New England's later picks -- Nos. 28 and 33 overall -- that will draw the most attention. 

My second prediction is that the New England Patriots will have many teams vying for their first pick in the second round (No. 33 overall), but their most coveted pick will be the 28th pick overall. In fact, there will be so many teams that want to acquire that 28th overall pick that the value of the pick will far exceed the old chart value. The 28th pick will be the auction pick, because many teams won't want to leave Radio City on Thursday night without the player it deems the key to its draft.

2011 NFL Draft: Bill Parcells' Draft Board

2011 NFL Draft: Anthony Castonzo, New York Giants A Good Fit

It's no secret that there are many ties between Tom Coughlin's New York Giants and the Boston College football team, especially considering that there are two former Eagles on the Giants roster and several coaches, Coughlin included, have ties to Chestnut Hill.

Thus, it should not come as a surprise that Boston College senior lineman Anthony Castonzo's name has been thrown around as the Giants' potential top pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, which begins on Thursday night.

Now, just because a player went to a school that an NFL coach has strong ties with doesn't mean they will instantly be a good fit, but that is the case with Castonzo and the Giants, according to New York Post.

Castonzo said he can definitely see himself fitting in with the Giants, who are known for tough, close-knit offensive lines. He has had contact with Jack Bicknell Jr., the Giants assistant offensive line coach who previously worked with Castonzo at Boston College. At the BC Pro Day, Giants offensive line coach Pat Flaherty ran the drills.

While the Castonzo-Giants relationship would be a good one, the question is whether or not he will still be available for New York to draft with the No. 19 overall pick, their first of the 2011 NFL Draft. BC Interruption examines...

The question is will Castonzo still be on the board when the Giants make their first round selection with the 19th pick of the Draft. While offensive tackle isn't a glaring hole on the Giants roster, a top tackle may be too good to pass up. Whether Castonzo falls to the Giants also seems to depend on whether Florida center/guard Mike Pouncey is still on the board.    

NFL Draft 2011: Patriots Have Two First-Round Picks, Six Selections In First Three Rounds

With the NFL labor negotiations, subsequent lockout and, most recently (as in, Monday night), Judge Susan Nelson ruling in favor of the players and lifting said lockout, you may have have forgotten how many picks the New England Patriots have in the 2011 NFL Draft, or when it is (the first round begins Thursday night), or when Bill Belichick and company are drafting. Consider this your quick refresher. 

The 2011 NFL Draft begins Thursday night, with Round 1, at 8 p.m. ET. Friday night has Rounds 2-3, beginning at 6 p.m., and Rounds 4-7 begin Saturday, at 12 p.m. All seven rounds will air on ESPN and NFL Network. 

The Patriots, as usual, have a stockpile of pick: two in the first round, three of the first 33 selections, and six in the first three rounds. Here's a rundown of all their picks (via Patriots.com): 

The first round of the 2011 NFL Draft starts at 8 p.m. (ET) on Thursday, April 28th and SB Nation has everything you need to prepare for it - NFL mock drafts, draft projections, scouting reports, the full NFL draft schedule and more. Check it all out at SB Nation's 2011 NFL Draft Hub and our NFL Draft blog Mocking the Draft. 

2011 NFL Draft: Talking Patriots' Picks, Trade Options, Cam Newton And More With WEEI.com And SB Nation

2011 NFL Draft: Pats Pulpit's Patriot Draft Board

Andre Tippett To Announce Patriots' Second Round Picks At 2011 NFL Draft

NFL Draft 2011: Mark Herzlich Among Record 25 Players In Attendance

At one point there were reports that the former players association would host a special draft event and encourage college to players to attend, skipping the actual draft in the process. But now? Now, the league has announced there will be a record 25 players in attendance at the 2011 NFL Draft.

Those players are: Prince Amukamara, Akeem Ayers, Adrian Clayborn, Randall Cobb, Marcell Dareus, Nick Fairley, Blaine Gabbert, A.J. Green, Mark Ingram, Julio Jones, Cameron Jordan, Von Miller, Rahim Moore, Cam Newton, Patrick Peterson, Mike Pouncey, Aldon Smith, Tyron Smith, Phil Taylor, Danny Watkins, J.J. Watt, Corey Liuget, Ryan Kerrigan, Ryan Williams and Boston College's Mark Herzlich.

Herzlich and company will participate in a youth football clinic, a photo opportunity atop Radio City Music Hall and end Wednesday by ringing the closing bell at the Stock Exchange. 

The first round of the 2011 NFL Draft starts at 8 p.m. (ET) on Thursday, April 28. The draft continues at 6:00 PM Friday with rounds 2-3, followed by rounds 4-7 on Saturday, starting at noon. 

The first round of the 2011 NFL Draft starts at 8 p.m. (ET) on Thursday, April 28th and SB Nation has everything you need to prepare for it - NFL mock drafts, draft projections, scouting reports, the full NFL draft schedule and more. Check it all out at SB Nation's 2011 NFL Draft Hub and our NFL Draft blog Mocking the Draft. 

2011 NFL Draft: Bill Belichick Says Patriots Have Received 'A Couple Of Offers' For Picks

The New England Patriots have three of the first 33 picks in the 2011 NFL Draft, including two in the first round: picks No. 17 (via the Oakland Raiders) and No. 28, their own selection. But Bill Belichick and company are well-known for packing their picks to trade for positions lower in the draft, and 2011 may be no exception. 

After winning the AP NFL Coach of the Year award, Belichick was talking with NFL Network's Mike Lombardi and indicated that already New England is receiving trade offers from other teams. 

"We've already had a couple offers on them. We'll see what happens. We'll do whatever we can to improve the team, whether that's move up, move down, or stay where we are, and just try to add more players and more depth to our roster."

Pats Pulpit is most interested to see what happens with pick No. 33, the first pick of the second round. 

The pick that interests me most in terms of trades is #33. Last year, Bill Belichick spoke about the day between rounds one and two, and the trade dynamics that could be in play at the top of round two. With the Patriots having the 1st overall pick of the "second first round," there certainly should be trade options available. The offers could get especially intriguing should a top quarterback, such as Washington's Jake Locker, slip to that second round. A quarterback needy team may give up a lot of ammo for that 33rd pick to ensure that they get Locker or another quarterback in the fold.

2011 NFL Draft: Cameron Heyward Talks Surgery And The Patriots

Ohio State defensive end and potential Patriots draftee Cameron Heyward is present at the Senior Bowl, but not participating after undergoing Tommy John Surgery earlier in the month.

Heyward has emerged as one of the top defensive linemen available in this year’s draft, and so figures to be a potential first round target for the New England Patriots.

Ian Rapoport of the Boston Herald caught up to Heyward on Tuesday and asked about his surgery, and the possibility of playing for the Pats:

“I’m rehabbing,” Heyward told me. “I had surgery on my elbow after the Bowl game, Tommy John surgery, basically. But I’m not a pitcher, so I should be back a little sooner."

“I’m happy to go wherever. The Patriots obviously want a five-technique, I feel like I could help them. I’m a very versatile guy that can play any position and hopefully I can contribute to any team possible.”

While Heyward expects to be able to participate some in the draft combine, the injury could set him back in his rookie year—especially important for a DE who will be expected to add weight to fit in the Patriots’ 3-4 scheme.

2011 NFL Draft: Patriots Own Six Selections In First Three Rounds

The complete collection of New England Patriots picks in the 2011 NFL Draft is now known.

Previously, it was unclear or simply not revealed which picks the Patriots received in some of their trades that involved draft selections, but now they are all out in the open. 

The final piece came when it was confirmed that the Patriots traded their higher fourth-round draft choice to Seattle -- the one acquired from Denver in the Laurence Maroney trade -- for receiver Deion Branch. That information was initially reported by Danny O'Neill of the Seattle Times.

The Broncos' pick in the fourth round is the second slot of that round, while the Patriots' pick is 28th, accounting for a 26-point difference.

The Patriots' draft projections now looks like this: 

Updated draft selections
1a. From Oakland (17th)
1b. Original pick (28th)
2a. From Carolina (33rd)
2b. Original pick (60th)
3a. From Minnesota (74th)
3b. Original pick (92nd)
4. Original pick
5. Original pick
6. Original pick

Not a whole lot new, and still three of the first 33 picks, which is the most important part. Assuming the Patriots decide to keep all their picks, of course. Which is a lofty assumption. 

2011 NFL Draft Prospects: Patriots Reportedly Scouting LSU's Joseph Barksdale At East-West Shrine Game

For the four remaining teams in the NFL Playoffs, the season continues, but for 28 teams -- including the Patriots, unfortunately -- the offseason has already begun, with the first steps involving preparation for the 2011 NFL Draft. Scouting the draft prospects is already underway in Orlando, at the East-West Shrine game, a post-season all-star contest. 

It's a chance for players like Delaware's Patrick Devlin, Navy's Ricky Dobbs and Virginia Tech's Tyrod Taylor to showcase their skills in one last game in front of NFL scouts (you can view the complete rosters here).

Via our own Jaguars blog, Big Cat Country, who is at the practices, this is who the Patriots had their eyes on (via Pats Pulpit): 

Joseph Barksdale, OT, LSU
David Carter, DE, UCLA
Cheta Ozougwu, DE/OLB, Rice
Caleb Schlauderaff, OG, Utah
Alex Green, HB, Hawaii
Justin Taplin-Ross, FS, Utah

Contain your excitement. Not much there, but, it at least gives an idea of what Bill Belichick and company may be targeting come April. From that short list, Barksdale is the big name.

At 6'5" and over 315 lbs, Barksdale has great size, having been a stalwart on the right side of LSU. Barksdale has shown good short area speed for a man of his size, and is a pretty solid run blocker, although he is still raw as a pass blocker. He certainly has potential, and could go as high as the second round with a good pre-draft season (although the 3rd to 4th round looks more likely).

Head over to Pats Pulpit for more analysis and reaction the players the Pats are reportedly scouting.

2011 NFL Draft: New England Patriots Own No. 17, No. 28 Overall Picks

The 2011 NFL Draft is set for April 28-30, which means we are exactly 100 days away from one of the more interesting and appealing non-sports sporting events of the year. The Carolina Panthers have the No. 1 overall pick, and since Stanford's Andrew Luck is returning to Stanford, could be shifting their attention to Auburn's Nick Fairley, a defensive tackle slated to be the top pick according to SB Nation's most recent 2011 NFL Mock Draft. 

The New England Patriots have a pair of first-round picks: their own selection, which is No. 28 after their early departure from the playoffs, and the No. 17 overall pick, acquired from the Oakland Raiders in the Richard Seymour trade. 

Bill Belichick and company also have the first pick in the second round (No. 33 overall, via the Carolina Panthers). 

The complete list of New England's 2011 NFL Draft picks (via Mike Reiss at ESPN Boston): 

1a. From Oakland (17th)
1b. Original pick (28th)
2a. From Carolina (33rd)
2b. Original pick (60th)
3a. From Minnesota
3b. Original pick
4. Original pick/From Denver*
5. Original pick
6. Original pick/From Saints**

* The Patriots traded a fourth-round draft choice to Seattle for Deion Branch. They owned two fourth-rounders -- their own and one from Denver in the Laurence Maroney trade -- and the team has not confirmed which pick it traded to Seattle.

** The Patriots traded Laurence Maroney and a sixth-round pick to Denver for a fourth-round pick. The team has not confirmed which sixth-round pick it traded -- its own, or one acquired from New Orleans for David Thomas.

So the Patriots have three of the first 33 picks, and nine overall. But knowing them, chances are they won't actually use all those picks, and will likely instead package some for more picks in later rounds and years to come.