Cleveland Browns eyeing a trade for Giants left tackle Nate Solder?
By Dan Justik
The Cleveland Browns are looking to improve the left tackle position at the trade deadline, and they could have their eyes on Giants tackle Nate Solder.
With the trade deadline only days away, the Cleveland Browns have been heavily linked to Washington Redskins left tackle Trent Williams. But because Washington has no plans to trade Williams during the season, the Browns may have to pursue other options to improve their offensive line, which could include Nate Solder.
Solder signed a four-year, $62 million contract with the New York Giants last offseason. The Browns were one of the teams interested in signing Solder, but were ultimately out-priced by the Giants’ offer.
It was reported last week Washington has no intentions of trading Williams to the Browns this season, despite John Dorsey’s continued interest. If that remains the case until the trade deadline, Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reported the Browns could then turn their attention to Solder.
If the Browns are unable to pry Trent Williams out of Washington, the other LT I hear they are interested in is Nate Solder. They've already done a lot of business with the NYG, it's worth noting
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) October 23, 2019
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Despite being the highest-paid offensive linemen when he signed his deal in 2018, Solder has struggled in 2019. Solder has allowed five sacks and 26 total pressures this season, along with being called for four penalties, according to Pro Football Focus. Even though he is being paid like a top-tier offensive lineman, Solder has been an average lineman so far this season.
For most of his career, Solder has never performed as one of the best linemen in the NFL. Instead, he has been a consistent tackle who can keep most of the pressure off the quarterback, but will have his problems at times.
Because of his play this season, the Giants may be willing to offload his massive contract. The Browns, who are looking for offensive line help and have the cap space to absorb Solder’s contract, seem like a natural fit. And as La Canfora notes, Dorsey and Giants general manager Dave Gettleman are friends and have made a fair share of deals together, most notably the Odell Beckham Jr. trade in the offseason.
If the Browns decide to trade for Solder, he would most likely replace Greg Robinson as the starting left tackle. The Browns have experimented with their offensive line during practice before their Week 8 game, and that could lead Robinson to the bench. Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reported last week Robinson had either already been benched or is likely to be benched.
Replacing Robinson with Solder would be a questionable decision because Robinson has been a better pass blocker than Solder this season, which is the area the Browns are most likely trying to improve. But there must be something offensive line coach James Campen and the coaching staff see in Robinson’s performance that makes them believe he is one of the biggest problems on the offensive line.
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It is becoming abundantly clear the Browns are not satisfied with their offensive line and are willing to do whatever it takes to improve the group to ultimately help Baker Mayfield and the passing offense. And as they try to improve the group, one of the fixes they may pursue is trading for Nate Solder to protect Mayfield’s blindside.