New England Patriots Urged To Draft This Nate Solder Copycat
By Erik Lambert
The New England Patriots are always thinking ahead but even they can be trapped in difficult situations from time to time.
It seems they’ve backed into one this 2018 off-season at the offensive tackle position. Both of their starters, Nate Solder and Cameron Fleming, from the 2017 run to the Super Bowl are now on different teams. This leaves LaAdrian Waddle and Marcus Cannon as the projected starters going into this year. Not the ideal pairing the team would want to protect the soon-to-be 41-year old Tom Brady. This leaves one to think they have plans on getting help early in the draft.
That is unless former 3rd round pick Antonio Garcia takes a step forward this year but at this point that looks unlikely. So what do they do? The offensive tackle class for 2018 is not exactly considered stellar. It’s top name, Mike McGlinchey of Notre Dame could fall out of the top 15 depending on how things go. This means the Patriots have to find the right guy otherwise they risk this problem lingering into the season when they can least afford it.
Luckily a former scout and longtime football alumni believes the perfect solution is right there for the plucking.
Gil Brandt sees Kolton Miller as the perfect Nate Solder replica
Few men have seen the growth of the NFL up close and personal for decades like Gil Brandt. He oversaw the rise of the Dallas Cowboys into a league power and has watched the Patriots become who they are from the beginning. He knows the types of players they covet and has an idea of one solution for their tackle problem. A young man who bears a strike resemblance to the departed Nate Solder.
"“So the Patriots, with their needs and their two first-round picks, should be able to get a tackle to replace Nate Solder. They need the tackle from UCLA, Kolton Miller. He’s Nate Solder, is what he is … 6’8”, 310 pounds, unbelievable 10-yard speed, which is what you need for a tackle. Needs development. But [offensive line coach] Dante Scarnecchia can develop a guy like that as well as anyone.”"
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Looking at the two in terms of their measurements and athletic ability? It’s uncanny how close Miller is to Solder. However, closer examination reveals the UCLA tackle isn’t quite at the level of his veteran counterpart coming into the draft. He has stiffness issues and doesn’t have as quick of feet as one might think despite his athletic potential. He’s also more susceptible to power than Solder was. Now some of these problems are correctable, but is Miller worth a 1st round pick? That’s what the Patriots need to consider carefully.