Patriots and OL drafting

kennyb said:

If someone would give a mid first for solder I'd do it in a heartbeat. Replacing high cap hits with lower ones equals big win.

Who would trade for him?

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I can't see anyone doing it, though you never know. But I wouldn't do it for less, assuming that Gooch's evaluation is correct.

kennyb said:

If someone would give a mid first for solder I'd do it in a heartbeat. Replacing high cap hits with lower ones equals big win.

Who would trade for him?

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I do not see anyone giving up a first for solder.

mayoclinic said:

I'd strongly consider trading him for roughly a mid-1st.

Seriously, Gooch thinks he's one of the 2 best LTs in the NFL along with Tyron Smith, and rates him ahead of Ryan Clady and Joe Thomas.

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I have to assume this is just him talking up his guy because it is completely ridiculous to rate him (or any OT really) above Joe Thomas. Thomas is by far the best offensive lineman of this generation and an absolute lock for the hall of fame. Having said that it doesn't really diminish Solder at all, its more how good Joe Thomas is.

Ochmed Jones said:

I do not see anyone giving up a first for solder.

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I have to agree, a first rounder this year is highly unlikely. I wouldn't completely rule out a 1st next year though. More likely would be a high 2nd from a team like Jacksonville or Oakland that has a need at Tackle. I think Jacksonville in particular makes a lot of sense because they have a need at OT, Solder could move Joeckel back to RT which would upgrade two positions and they have the cap space to re-sign him long term.

Now would I trade Solder for #36? I don't know. That would probably be a deal that would come together after round 1 if the Pats could get a lineman they like at 32. I probably would do it for a 2016 1st from Jacksonville though (or Oakland).

Here's a crazy thought for a potential landing spot - our friends at Tampa Bay for their 2016 1st rounder. Idea would be they want a solid line for Winston/Mariota to grow behind and not get David Carr-ed; any left tackle they pick at 34 would likely be a high-upside project. But the Patriots could afford to take the same project at 32 this year with Vollmer/Cannon/Flemming as the immediate depth chart. Tampa knows that the Solder/Mankins combo works well together, they have the cap room, and as bad as they were last year they know the NFC South is there for the taking - with the right free agent moves and a good 2015 draft, they could turn things around quickly and compete in that division next year.

I never really thought of it but the higher round OL picks are reminiscent of the DL picks from years past.

Mankins, Solder, Vollmer and even Matt Light - All long time starters, similar to Seymour, Warren and Wilfork.

I think someone said "It starts in the trenches..", OL looks to be in play for pick 32.

Chicago could trade for Solder,
As could Oakland's second?
Atlanta?
I would much rather keep Mccourty over Solder if this is the question being asked.
I would use the mid first or early second for a wide out or d end.
I think Cannon and Flemming could be a huge part of our plans in the near future.

ChrisR2223 said:

I think Cannon and Flemming could be a huge part of our plans in the near future.

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I know Solder didn't have a great year but would you seriously consider having either Cannon or Fleming play LT? Against the best pass rushers in the NFL, I don't like the sounds of that.

I believe they could be coached up with the offensive minds of McDaniels, Brady, Belichick I believe we could play to their strengths and limit their weakness.
I'm suggesting attacking the middle rounds for talented yet inexperienced lineman who just need world class coaching and direction to reach their full potential.

Wilfork#75 said:

I probably would do it for a 2016 1st from Jacksonville though (or Oakland).

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Trade Nate "Universal" Solder (back?) to the Raiders for a Deferred 1st Rounder???



It's Like Deja Vu, all over again!!

ChrisR2223 said:

I'm suggesting attacking the middle rounds for talented yet inexperienced lineman who just need world class coaching and direction to reach their full potential.

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My problem with this approach is that draft picks are overrated (and I love the draft). Both Vollmer and Solder are both at least average or better starting NFL lineman. Most draft picks are 50/50 to even make the team, past round 2 it is likely around 15% ever become starters.

Our coaching staff has proven we can find guys later.
Steven Neal, Dan Donnelly, Dan Koppen.
Belichick is great at finding offensive lineman from under rocks if need be.

Off The Grid said:

Trade Nate "Universal" Solder (back?) to the Raiders for a Deferred 1st Rounder???

It's Like Deja Vu, all over again!!

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Al Davis' corpse would make that trade, if BB can find a way to get in touch with him. Ouiji board? Seance?

I wouldn't trade solder unless its for a teams first rounder. We just won the Super Bowl with the line we have. I don't think trading starters then trying to find a replacement is a good idea.

cstjohn17 said:

I know Solder didn't have a great year but would you seriously consider having either Cannon or Fleming play LT? Against the best pass rushers in the NFL, I don't like the sounds of that.

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I think that the team believe that Cannon and/or Flemming will be important parts of our OL. I don't think Cannon would have been extended for that amount if they didn't. But if any of them start at tackle I would have to believe that we would move Vollmer to LT, and have Cannon or Flemming at RT.

With Belichick shocking us last year with Mankins, I wouldn't be surprised if he traded Solder or Vollmer this year. Particularly if the pickings at the top of the draft as as slim as people are making it out to be. And with the pickings being slim, a 1st rounder could be in play..

Solder's contract is fully guaranteed unless he is cut before march 10th. Trading him saves us zero dollars, so I would be very surprised if that was the path they chose.

Trading Vollmer has been a thought thats been bounced around, but more likely after the draft in June, when the cap hit can be split.

How does trading solder save zero dollars? If another team picks up the guarantee or signs him to a long term deal then the pats have cap relief don't they?

kennyb said:

How does trading solder save zero dollars? If another team picks up the guarantee or signs him to a long term deal then the pats have cap relief don't they?

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You are correct. Guaranteed money simply means that the player is guaranteed to receive it, but it doesn't guarantee the source. If he's traded, the acquiring team is responsible. If he's cut, the Patriots are responsible. For salary cap purposes, with few exceptions (veterans's minimum, etc) all the cash a team pays a player must be eventually accounted for; don't have to account for any cash they don't pay.

Vollmer might be the best RT in football. WhY on earth would you want to move him? Solder is easily in the 5-10 area for left tackles. Why would you want to move him too? You cut non-producers to save money. Not a pro-bowl RT and a near pro-bowl LT.

There is not one LT in this draft you can expect to be better than Solder. Come on guys.

patsfaninpa said:

Vollmer might be the best RT in football. WhY on earth would you want to move him? Solder is easily in the 5-10 area for left tackles. Why would you want to move him too? You cut non-producers to save money. Not a pro-bowl RT and a near pro-bowl LT.

There is not one LT in this draft you can expect to be better than Solder. Come on guys.

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I agree with you. The only reason you would trade Solder is (1) if you think his cost will put you in a bad long-term cap situation, and (2) you can get very good value for him. If you can afford him, you keep him. If you can't get good value for him, you keep him. But if it's going to come down to keeping him long term vs. keeping another all-pro caliber player (such as Jones or Hightower), then you have to consider the relative value and replacement cost.