After a promising 2020 Draft, several NY Giants on the roster have seen their roster status change, and players’ stocks have either increased or decreased.
The NY Giants made several steps in the right direction this past weekend to change the culture and direction of the team’s future. After selecting the promising Andrew Thomas, the left tackle of the Georgia Bulldogs, Dave Gettleman promised the fans to finally fortify the offensive line “Once and for all”.
With 10 total picks in this draft and 15 more undrafted players signed, several players on both sides of the ball saw their position groups look vastly different from before Draft weekend.
The NY Giants heavily focused and invested in taking linemen early, shoring up the secondary, and adding depth to the linebacker position.
As a result of these picks, many veterans and young guys on the roster now will have to fight for roster spots and starting jobs throughout training camp.
With a delayed offseason already underway, the rookies will have to learn and move at a quicker speed than ever to see the field this season. Who are some NY Giants who’s spot on the roster has completely changed?
Let’s take a look.
Stock down: OT Nate Solder
Nate Solder is coming off the toughest season of his football career. He allowed 11 sacks and had five penalties which killed the momentum of several promising drives. Nate endured a personal battle as well, as his young son’s cancer reappeared and it was a fight the entire Solder family struggled with.
According to Spotrac, Solder has the team’s highest cap hit at $19.5 million this season. Simply put, the NY Giants cannot afford for Solder to play at such a low-level as he stooped to in 2019.
Big Blue can either look to move Solder out to right tackle, a position he has not played since his rookie year with the Patriots in 2011, or they can let him compete with Andrew Thomas at left tackle.
With his egregious contract, it seems highly unlikely Solder returns to New York in any capacity in 2021. The Giants are best suited at letting Solder compete with Cam Fleming, Nick Gates, and rookie Matt Peart from UCONN to start at right tackle.
The last thing any team wants to see is their highest-paid player ride the bench or have to cut him and take on a hefty dead cap. Solder is facing adversity larger than ever right now and his roster spot is very much in question.