Browns Interested In Giants LT Nate Solder?

With their Trent Williams efforts looking likely to come up short, the Browns may be looking at another NFC East tackle. They are interested in Giants left tackle Nate Solder, Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports tweets.

While it would be a major salary to take on, Solder is a proven left tackle who would upgrade Cleveland’s offensive line. The Giants signed Solder to a four-year, $62MM deal, reshaping the tackle market in 2018. Solder, the centerpiece of Dave Gettleman‘s aggressive overhaul of Big Blue’s offensive front, has not lived up to this contract and is signed through 2021.

The Browns made two deals (though they were categorized as one) with the Giants this offseason, acquiring Odell Beckham Jr. and Olivier Vernon. Cleveland took New York’s second- and third-biggest contracts in doing so. Solder’s now sits second on the Giants’ payroll, in terms of AAV, behind only Eli Manning.

Cleveland’s line has struggled throughout 2019, even though Pro Football Focus tabs Greg Robinson as its No. 25 tackle (Solder sits 35th). But the Browns managed to release their starting left tackle in a preseason procedural move and were able to re-sign him quickly, indicating the rest of the league’s lack of interest in the former No. 2 overall pick. PFF grades right tackle Chris Hubbard, a 2018 Browns addition, as a bottom-tier tackle.

This has been the top Williams potential destination, but the Redskins have stonewalled the Browns. Interest in Solder’s massive contract would illustrate John Dorsey‘s desire to upgrade at tackle. This is Solder’s age-31 season. The former Patriot’s cap number spikes to a whopping $19.5MM in 2021. The Giants have not been mentioned among the seller contingent, but at 2-5, it would make sense for New York to consider it.

View Comments (15)