Broncos rumors: Denver is favorite for Nate Solder
By Joe Romano
![FOXBOROUGH, MA - DECEMBER 24: New England Patriots tackle Nate Solder (77) during the National Football League game between the New England Patriots and the New York Jets on December 24, 2016, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA. The New England Patriots defeat the New York Jets 41-3. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) FOXBOROUGH, MA - DECEMBER 24: New England Patriots tackle Nate Solder (77) during the National Football League game between the New England Patriots and the New York Jets on December 24, 2016, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA. The New England Patriots defeat the New York Jets 41-3. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/d5c70e466b4fe470c51018ad866d377a18aa94e1f7f78a03c7caa36c4a788904.jpg)
NFL free agency is getting underway. The best left tackle on the market is getting interest from the Denver Broncos.
A rare commodity on the open market in the NFL is a starting caliber left tackle. It is one of the most important positions in the game. Teams do everything in their power to keep the starting caliber players in the building.
Even more rare is a starting caliber left tackle who spent his entire career protecting Tom Brady in New England. Nate Solder is expecting to garner a lot of interest around the league as his free agency kicks off. According to Broncos Wire, the Denver Broncos are the leaders to procure Solder’s services.
#Broncos appear to be among the frontrunners to sign offensive tackle Nate Solder, according to NBC Sports Boston. https://t.co/acDxenajr3
— Broncos Wire (@TheBroncosWire) March 12, 2018
There is still a chance that the Patriots and Solder work out a deal. It would be in the team’s best interest to keep their left tackle in town to protect Brady. If that does not happen, Denver and the Houston Texans will battle it out to sign Solder.
Denver spent big on an offensive lineman a year ago. Guard Ronald Leary came to Denver via free agency. The team then went out and drafted tackle Garrett Bolles in the first round of the 2017 NFL draft. A move for Solder would likely kick Bolles to the right side. The team is clearly looking to build a strong unit up front.
Both Houston and Denver need upgrades at the tackle spots. Houston currently has more money and should be more desperate to land Solder.
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Whoever gets the talented tackle is getting one of the game’s steadiest players. In his seven year career Solder has only surrendered 35.5 sacks including four a year ago. He would bring stability and a veteran presence for both teams in dire need of those qualities on their offensive line.