Miami Dolphins free agency 2018: Top 6 targets
By Joe Romano
Nate Solder, T
Former team: New England Patriots
What is one way to stick it to a team that has dominated your division for a decade? Sign their left tackle out from under their nose. The Miami Dolphins can do that by signing New England Patriots’ tackle Nate Solder.
The 29-year-old left tackle was a former first-round pick out of Colorado in the 2011 draft. He has been a staple on the Patriots offensive line ever since his rookie season.
This move would allow the Dolphins to do one of two things. First they could put Solder at left tackle, swing Laremy Tunsil to the right tackle and release Ju’Wuan James to open up a big chunk of needed cap space. The other route would be to keep James and Solder at tackle and move Tunsil to guard where he played his rookie season and excelled. Either way this move can only help an offensive line that needs it.
Grabbing a player from New England could also aid coach Adam Gase in changing the culture in Miami. That mission that started with the Ajayi trade would be strengthened by an addition like Solder.
Given the lack of elite offensive tackles in the 2018 NFL Draft, this move would also open up the Dolphins draft board. Picking at number eleven, Miami could choose one of the draft’s best corners, middle linebacker or edge rushers that may fall in their lap.
The only concern with Solder is price. Tackles get paid big money once they hit free agency. Will Miami have enough to meet Solder’s demands?