While former Colorado Buffaloes offensive tackle Nate Solder continues to be SB Nation's projection for the New England Patriots in their latest 2011 NFL Mock Draft, over at CBSSports.com Solder and teammate Jimmy Smith find their way to other teams.
Rob Rang projects Solder to go to the Indianapolis Colts with the 22nd overall pick. That's quite a move for Solder, protecting star quarterback Peyton Manning from the opposing pass rush. He's the third tackle off the board behind USC's Tyron Smith and Boston College's Anthony Castonzo, but Solder could be the top offensive tackle from this draft in a few years. Cornerback Jimmy Smith finds himself with the Seattle Seahawks at the 25th pick. If the Seahawks want to win the NFC West and have an above .500 record, upgrading the secondary will be necessary.
In Chad Reuter's mock draft, Solder goes to the Colts for the same reasons Rang has him there. Smith, though, falls one spot, to the Baltimore Ravens at No. 26, being the best player available that GM Ozzie Newsome would not want to miss out on. The Seahawks, in this mock, select quarterback Jake Locker at No. 25, which could definitely happen. Matt Hasselbeck and Charlie Whitehurst aren't long-term solutions at the position.
As for the Denver Broncos, Rang and Reuter are in agreement once again with other mock drafts by having Marcell Dareus at the No. 2 pick.