SB Nation Writers Mock Draft: Round 2, Pick #47

So, why on earth would NE take an offensive tackle when there's so many other needs? First, all of the quality OLBs have been scooped up in this draft. Second, even though Mike Vrabel has left, we're not super thin at the OLB position: Pierre Woods and Adalius Thomas are likely starters with Shawn Crable and Vince Redd as backups.

My reasoning for picking an offensive lineman, especially a tackle, is that Matt Light and Nick Kaczur have had a very long run without a lot of rest and the pig pile can do a lot of damage to these big men. I believe it's time to pull in a quality lineman who can learn from these two vets and groom him to take on a more active role in the future. It's a position we need more depth in and I believe this is the right time to pull in a 300 pounder.

MTD thoughts: To me, not picking an outside linebacker puts the onus on Crable to step it up and be a bigger factor in 2009. Still, I would be shocked to see the Patriots without a pass rusher after four picks in the first two rounds. I do like Loadholt more than just about anyone and he's a great value pick here.