2011 NFL Draft: Fans Have Mixed Reactions to New England Patriots' Round 1

The New England Patriots had a buzzworthy first round yet again in the 2011 NFL draft.

They created quite a stir when they drafted Colorado offensive tackle Nate Solder and traded out of the 28th pick with the New Orleans Saints to get the 56th overall pick and the Saints' first-round pick in 2012.

I attended a draft party at Gillette Stadium during the first round, and the fan reaction was immediate. When the pick of Solder was announced, the room immediately began to buzz. I heard the name "Anthony Castonzo" at least a dozen times in a 60-second span following the pick.

I asked a few fans their thoughts on Solder at the conclusion of the event. Daniel Flaig said, "I thought it was a little bit of a surprise. They filled a need at tackle, it's just that [Anthony] Castonzo was the consensus if they went with a tackle, as far as I was concerned. I guess we've got to trust Belichick on that one."

Arjuna Ramgopal was also surprised, but for different reasons. "I thought they should definitely have gone with a defensive end at 17. Cameron Jordan was on the board, and he looks like a good fit. I think this definitely means the end of the road for Matt Light."

When the Patriots traded down from 28 to acquire the 56th pick this year and the New Orleans Saints' first-round pick in 2012, no one was surprised.

"It obviously didn't surprise me, but I thought there was enough talent there, especially in the front seven, for them to make a second pick," said Daniel. "When they made the trade, that tells me they think the value's in the second round."

Greg Bedard's post on boston.com would seem to confirm that. Bedard says that the Patriots don't seem to mind the drop-off from the front seven prospects at the end of the first round as opposed to the ones available in the second round.

Adding a first-round pick for 2012 is a move Eben Joslyn agrees with. "It was interesting to see them trade down with the Saints, just because New Orleans is perennially a decent team. So you know the first round pick next year probably isn't going to be that far away from when the Patriots pick.

As for what the Patriots could do with their 33rd pick in the second round, fans seemed to agree.

That pick would either be traded, or it had to be used on a prospect to boost the productivity in the front seven. Arjuna said, "You have Wilfork, you have Warren returning from injury. I think if you add a third guy in there, it would be like the days of old when the Patriots had a dominant defensive line."

With so many solid prospects available and three picks in the second round, the Patriots are bound to add a talented player to their team, regardless of what position he plays.