Top 25 NFL free agents for 2018

17. Nate Solder, OT, New England Patriots

Solder has been a reliable left tackle for the New England Patriots since being drafted 17th overall in 2011, starting at least 13 games in six of his seven seasons. But Pro Football Focus graded him out as merely average this year, which doesn’t make him the kind of player Bill Belichick will want to keep at the price it will take to do it as Solder hits free agency.

The contract Riley Reiff got from the Minnesota Vikings last offseason (five years, $58.75 million-$26.3 million guaranteed) looks like a good comp for the deal Solder could get in March. They are the same age right now (29, though Solder will turn 30 in April), with similar standing among offensive tackles based on advanced metrics heading into free agency. It’s worth noting Reiff shifted to right tackle in 2016, his final season with the Detroit Lions, but the parallel to Solder is otherwise solid.

The premium placed on capable, reliable left tackles to keep the quarterback upright sets Solder up to cash in nicely this offseason. So if the Patriots make no real effort to retain him, with the franchise tag or an offer of a long-term deal, he’ll just have to find the right all-around fit for himself and his family.