Here’s A Big Name To Watch At The NFL Trade Deadline
By Erik Lambert
The start of the regular season is still months away, but it’s never too early to start thinking about the NFL trade deadline this coming October.
Everybody knows by now that trades in the NFL tend to happen more during the offseason. The big ones taking place between the start of free agency and start of the draft. It’s not the NBA, NHL or MLB who often get big action at the deadline. However, every so often there is some considerable movement. Typically it either involves a player who has become disgruntled or a player who’s about to become a free agent.
One name to watch in the latter category has to be New England Patriots left tackle Nate Solder. No team has perfected the art of unloading quality players right before the downsides of their career quite like the Patriots. Solder is only 29-years old and remains a highly effective blind side protector. So why would the team trade him?
Money
As it often the case New England won’t pay big money to players they know will command it. Left tackles cost a pretty penny in the NFL. Unless Solder is willing to take a significant hometown discount, odds are his price will reach a plateau the Patriots aren’t willing to meet him at.
Replacements
Another development that will likely be overlooked within a few months is how craftily the team has prepared the depth chart behind Solder. They signed veteran tackle LaAdrian Waddle in free agency, then drafted Troy standout Antonio Garcia in the 3rd round. Don’t think for a second they fear the idea of shipping out Solder and moving forward with those two. People should know better after what happened with Jamie Collins and Chandler Jones.
Solder has two rings already in his career. Every instinct says he’s going to pursue the highest payday possible to secure his financial future for himself and his family. It’s not a bad business decision, but it sets up the scenario that New England will try to get something in return before he leaves next March for nothing.