Nate Solder rumors: 5 best fits in NFL free agency
By Joe Schiller
1. Cincinnati Bengals
Solder’s best fit might not be the most desirable location but the Cincinnati Bengals are in desperate need for offensive line help. Losing Andrew Whitworth and Kevin Zeitler last offseason proved to be costly up front. The Bengals did not find any viable replacements and suffered because of it. Now with close to $35 million in cap space come March, it’s clear what Mike Brown and his front office must do.
The Bengals have offensive weapons to work with. You can win with Andy Dalton under center if he has the time in the pocket. A.J. Green, Brandon LaFell, and Tyler Boyd are weapons at receiver and not to mention, rookie John Ross has yet to fully see the field. Rookie Joe Mixon also provides a dual threat as a runner and receiver out of the backfield. The Bengals now need the tools up front.
Cedric Ogbuehi was a complete disaster at left tackle. He’s a backup at best at this point in his career. Solder can be that replacement, which still allows the Bengals to target a tackle like Mike McGlinchey, Orlando Brown Jr. or Connor Williams with the 12th-overall pick. That sets the edge on the outside while Jake Fisher and Clint Boling can hold together the interior.
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The Bengals absolutely need a left tackle like Solder to stop Myles Garrett, T.J. Watt, Terrell Suggs and the other frightening pass rushers in the AFC North.