2011 NFL Mock Draft: Peter King Says Nate Solder to Colts

2011 NFL Mock Draft Should Thrill Colts

Peter King's Pick: Nate Solder, OT, Colorado

Who King Thinks They Should Take: Nate Solder, OT, Colorado

King's Explanation:

The long-armed, 6-8 Solder should make up for the miscall on Tony Ugoh four drafts ago. Frankly, the Colts have been scotch-taping the O-line together for the past couple of years, and they should have chosen tackle Rodger Saffold instead of pass rusher Jerry Hughes in 2010. Whether it's Solder or Anthony Castonzo, the pick has a good shot to start early and then protect Peyton Manning's blind side for the last few years of his career.

This is another case of King being dead on right....assuming his first 21 picks play out as he sees it.

 

READ MORE: Worst First-Round Pick in Every Team's History

 

I'm not sure Solder will last this long, especially since the Detroit Lions should really take a look at him since. Solder is the premier pass blocker in this draft and he'd be a perfect protector for Matthew Stafford for the next decade.

But in the event that he does fall to 22, Solder would be the perfect protector for Manning. Maybe Castonzo would be a better overall pick because he's more complete, but as long as Manning is their quarterback (at least another four years) they won't be switching out of that shotgun 600-pass-attempts offense anytime soon.

Grade: A-

For More Draft Coverage, Check Out Our 2011 NFL Draft Page

1. Carolina Panthers: Cam Newton, QB 2. Denver Broncos: Marcell Dareus, DT 3. Buffalo Bills: Von Miller, DE/OLB 4. Cincinnati Bengals: Blaine Gabbert, QB	17. New England Patriots: Mike Pouncey, OG 18. San Diego Chagers: Cameron Jordan, DE 19. New York Giants: Anthony Castonzo, OT 20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Aldon Smith, OLB
5. Arizona Cardinals: A.J. Green, WR 6. Cleveland Browns: Julio Jones, WR 7. Houston Texans: Patrick Peterson, CB* 8. Tennessee Titans: Nick Fairley, DT	21. Kansans City Chiefs:  Gabe Carimi, OT 22. Indianapolis Colts: Nate Solder, OT 23. Philadelphia Eagles: Danny Watkins, OG 24. New Orleans Saints: Adrian Clayborn, DE
9. Dallas Cowboys: Tyron Smith, OT 10. Washington Redskins: Robert Quinn, DE/OLB 11. San Francisco 49ers: Prince Amukamara, CB 12. Minnesota Vikings: Jake Locker, QB	25. Seattle Seahawks: Marvin Austin, DT 26. Baltimore Ravens: Jimmy Smith, CB 27. Atlanta Falcons: J.J. Watt, DE 28. Tennessee Titans**: Christian Ponder, QB**
13. Detroit Lions: Da'Quan Bowers, DE 14. St. Louis Rams: Corey Luiget, DT 15. Miami Dolphins: Andy Dalton, QB 16. Jacksonville Jaguars: Ryan Kerrigan, DE	29. Chicago Bears: Derek Sherrod, OT 30. New York Jets: Muhammad  Wilkerson, DT/DE 31. Pittsburgh Steelers: Brandon Harris, CB 32. Green Bay Packers: Cameron Heyward, DE
* King predicts trade between 49ers and Texans	** King predicts trade between Patriots and Titans

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