#1 – OT Nate Solder
The top two players on this list should come as no surprise. One is Big Blue’s highest draft selection in over three decades. The other is the league’s highest-paid left tackle, according to Over the Cap.
The Giants inked Solder to a four-year, $62 million contract in free agency. He was widely considered the top available offensive tackle on the market.
The two-time Super Bowl winner and former first-round pick has been Tom Brady’s blindside protector for seven seasons. He will now look to protect Eli Manning and open running lanes for Barkley.
Solder understands the expectations in the Big Apple due to his contract. He’s also used to being under the spotlight, as he explained on WFAN this past Friday.
"“There’s a tremendous amount of pressure and I’ve been under a tremendous amount of pressure for years now. You can only take it one bite at a time. You go one day better. It’s not going to be one person that is going to fix everything. It’s going to be a group effort. We got to win as a team.”"
Solder knows he can’t single-handedly turnaround Big Blue’s offensive line. But the Giants are counting on him to be the leader of the unit. The 6-foot-8, 325-pound offensive tackle leads by example and has already been helping Ereck Flowers in his transition to right tackle.
All the players on this list are expected to make an instant impact for the G-Men in 2018. However, Solder is the top acquisition, as he can help make everyone’s job easier on offense.
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Solder will give Manning more time in the pocket by keeping pass rushers at bay. He will open running lanes for Barkley on the ground. He will allow New York’s receivers more time to get open downfield. And he will serve as a mentor for New York’s developing offensive line.
The acquisition of Solder not only immediately improves New York’s chances of winning in 2018. It addresses one of the team’s biggest weaknesses while also filling one of the most important positions in football.