Nate Solder - What do we have?

[wutang112878]

I have a tough time evaluating Solder.  His measurables and athleticism are really astounding.  I'm not sure if its because my expectations were too high for him because of these, but I had hoped he would quickly develop into a 'this is my franchise LT for the next 10 years' type of guy. 
 
I do think he is good enough to be our starting LT and I'd like him to be here for a long time.  His contract doesnt run out until after next year, but because he is young and starter worthy he might be the type of guy that you want to sign to an extension now so that you get to spread the cap hit out. 
 
So thats why I ask the question of what do we have.  Where is he today and where does he project to be in terms of the top tackles in the league?  And based on that, what type of contract might it take to extend him.
 
Personally, I dont think he is a top 5 guy and I'm not sure if he will ever get there unless he starts taking some significant leaps forward.  The top 5 tackles (in terms of cap hit) are in the $10-12M range, the next 5 are $7.3M to $8.6M, and the next 5 are $5 to $6.6M   Next year Solder is on the books for $7.4M and it would be preferable to have that $7.4M be part of a long term deal. 
 
I think a William Beaty contract might get it done with Solder.  Beaty was 5yrs / $37.2M total / $12.5M signing bonus and Bushrod was 5yrs / $39.5M

 

[tims4wins]

The Pats hold a 5th year option on him, correct? Anyone have the dollar terms handy?

 

[JerBear]

Per NFL website
 

No. 17 pick Nate Solder, New England Patriots: ThePatriots locked up Tom Brady's blindside protector for 2015, Breer reported, according to a source informed of the move. Solder will earn $7.438 million.
 

 

[wutang112878]

The Pats hold a 5th year option on him, correct? Anyone have the dollar terms handy?

 
Thats the $7.4M he is on the books for in 2015

 

[( . ) ( . ) and (_!_)]

So that was interesting last night. If he was hurt then he wasn't hurt enough to not play a good amount of snaps but they really moved him around. Left tackle, right tackle, extra blocker in TE role. It's tough to evaluate from just watching the tv but I didnt see any egregious whiffs that led to negative plays. Don't want to read too much I to a preseason game so in going to guess that was more about seeing how versatile solder can be and what they have in cannon then it was about solder maybe losing his LT spot.

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

Thats the $7.4M he is on the books for in 2015

 
Solder's full contract info: http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/new-england-patriots/nate-solder/

 

[Mugsy's Walk-Off Bunt]

He is - so far anyway - Matt Light-plus. Needs to continue to improve if he wants elite dollars, but strikes me as a guy they'll lock up that I wish were more worth it - the way Mayo is and, soon, McCourty will be. Slightly overpaid but they make BB et al comfortable.

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

FA OL in 2015. It's an underwhelming list: http://www.kffl.com/static/nfl/features/freeagents/fa.php?option=OL&y=2015 
 
I see close to 0% chance that Pats do not elect to exercise his option nor pass on an extension in 2015.

 

[Kenny F'ing Powers]

He is - so far anyway - Matt Light-plus. Needs to continue to improve if he wants elite dollars, but strikes me as a guy they'll lock up that I wish were more worth it - the way Mayo is and, soon, McCourty will be. Slightly overpaid but they make BB et al comfortable.

 
 
I like Solder and think his issues have been slightly overblown, but what have you seen from him that makes him better than Matt Light? Light won't get into the HoF, but he's probably just a notch below that level of talent. He was one of the best tackles I've ever seen at moving his feet and getting out on screens. He was versatile enough where he could lock up the big run stuffing defensive ends, but quick enough to protect against the Dwight Freeney's of the world (his "struggles" against him were overblown). The only type of players that gave him trouble were the athletic freaks of the world (Jason Taylor), and they gave everybody trouble. He was - with the exception of an occasional off year - one of the most consistent linemen on the field, which is a harder trait to find then one would think. It's an under reported part of the 18-1 season, but if Light had played up to his usual standards, they probably walk away from that year 19-0. He was that important to the team.
 
Solder is playing fine, but there is a huge learning curve - both physically and mentally - at LT. Let's give him another year or two before we decide he's better then the second best LT in Patriots history (I'm partial to Bruce* myself).
 
* It really is crazy that, aside from injury, the Patriots had only fielded two left tackles from 1987 - 2011. Armstrong and Light combined for 9 pro-bowls and 4 all-pro teams. If Solder continues to play well, I would think this is an unparalleled level of success out of one position over 30+ years.