Nate

Solder

Solder in May restructured his contract after opting out of the 2020 season. Now 33, Solder could be a backup if he cracks the Giants’ final roster, Raanan reports. With Andrew Thomas, the fourth pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, functioning as New York’s blindside protector, Solder could conceivably be moved to the right side of the line.

One month shy of his 33rd birthday, Solder is presumably taking a mammoth pay cut after he opted out of the 2020 season. He had been due to count $16.5 million against the salary cap while making $9.9 million. That was never going to happen. 2020 No. 4 overall pick Andrew Thomas is the Giants’ new blindside protector, but right tackle remains a trouble spot. Solder can presumably slide in there, though he may need to win a cursory competition after sitting out. Last season’s right tackle, Cameron Fleming, is headed to free agency.

Solder reportedly hasn’t spoken with the Giants about his return. He opted out of the 2020 season because he was considered a high-risk COVID-19 case. Solder, a nine-year veteran, is scheduled to make $10 million in 2021 while costing $16.5 million against the salary cap. It’s no guarantee Solder returns to the Giants, who would save $6 million this season against the salary cap if Solder is released, and $10 million if they cut the veteran after June 1. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said the Giants will approach Solder about restructuring his contract. The Giants used their first round pick last year on left tackle Andrew Thomas, who corrected his early-season struggles and finished 2020 strong. Thomas was graded as Pro Football Focus’ No. 27 tackle in 2020.

Solder very reasonably opts out to protect himself and his young son, both of whom have a history with cancer. This is one of the biggest player opt outs to date, as Solder was expected to not only start at tackle but also help first-round pick Andrew Thomas adjust to his first league in the NFL. It’s a notable loss for Daniel Jones in particular, as he was already under pressure on 42% of his dropbacks last season. That was the second most in the NFL. Solder was PFF’s No. 46 graded offensive tackle among 98 qualifiers last season.

CB Janoris Jenkins and LT Nate Solder were also left off the final report, suggesting all three have cleared the concussion protocol. This will be Shepard’s first game action since Week 5. He was a target hog early in the year (nine targets in three of his four appearances), though much of his production came while Golden Tate was serving a four-game suspension. Even with Tate a threat to his workload, Shepard should still warrant WR3 consideration in most formats.

He’ll now have to clear the concussion protocol to play after the Week 11 bye. Solder hadn’t missed a snap since joining the Giants before the injury. With Jon Halapio and Mike Remmers already out, the Giants are down three starters on their offensive line.

The Browns have made it public that they are thinking of replacing current LT Greg Robinson who needs to play more consistent football per GM John Dorsey. Among the 55 offensive tackles with at least 300 snaps this season, Robinson ranks 23rd in PFF’s overall grade, while Solder ranks 32nd. With the Giants out of playoff contention, it wouldn’t be a terrible idea for New York to deal Solder before the trade deadline. The 31-year-old is in Year 2 of a four-year, $62 million contract ($34.8 million guaranteed).

Solder is “progressing really nicely” from his offseason ankle scope and should be recovered well in advance of training camp, which opens July 26 at the team’s facility in East Rutherford. The ex-Patriot was a disappointment in his debut season for the Giants, earning poor marks from ProFootballFocus despite netting the league’s second-highest salary among tackles. He’ll hope to do better in year two of his New York tenure.

“Am I 100 percent sure?” Solder asked rhetorically. “Are you 100 percent sure you’ll be there? It’s hard to say. I’m on a great path right now and I’m taking it day by day.” Solder had been previously slapped with a “ready for camp” timeline. His comments mostly seem out of an abundance of caution/humor. Even if he’s not ready for camp, Week 1 is not a concern.

The highest-paid left tackle in the sport last year -- only to be surpassed by Taylor Lewan -- Solder predictably didn’t live up to his pay grade after coming over from the Patriots. Pro Football Focus credited Solder with allowing seven sacks, ninth-most among 75 qualified tackles, and also gave him poor marks for both his run and pass blocking. 31-year-old Solder needs to be better.