NFL Draft prospects NY Giants should target to replace Nate Solder
The NY Giants will likely turn to the 2022 NFL Draft to replace struggling, and high-priced, veteran offensive tackle Nate Solder
Nate Solder is entering his final weeks in an NY Giants uniform.
At age 33, Solder is in the midst of one of the worst seasons of his career, having surrendered over 30 pressures, over five sacks, and garnered an overall grade from Pro Football Focus of just 57.5.
Meanwhile, moving on from Solder would create upwards of $4 million in additional spending flexibility under the salary cap, for the cap-strapped Giants this offseason.
Fortunately for the NY Giants, who if the season ended today would own two of the top-10 picks in the 2022 NFL Draft, this is a class with several top tackles projected to go off the board in the first-round.
“This class is probably at least on the same level as the 2020 tackle group,” an AFC personnel executive tells FanSided.
In all likelihood, the NY Giants will turn to the NFL Draft next spring to mine a bookended to burgeoning former No. 4 overall draft pick, left tackle Andrew Thomas, to replace Solder in 2022 and beyond.
Given the state of the NY Giants’ offensive line, there’s a real possibility the organization uses both its first-round picks for help along the line.
Here are four NFL Draft prospects the NY Giants can target to replace Nate Solder:
Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
Neal has a chance to be the first offensive lineman off the board next spring.
At 6-foot-7 and 350 pounds, Neal has the size, explosivness, and athleticism to anchor an NFL offensive line for the next decade.
Neal’s combination of twitchy feet and his temperament as an aggressive hand-puncher make him a truly dominant pass-protector, which the NY Giants desperately need along the offensive line.
According to Pro Football Focus, Neal produced a 73.1 overall grade in 2020, and seems to be playing at an even higher level this season. If the NY Giants wind up selecting in the top-five picks, and Neal is available, there’s a good chance his name winds up on New York’s draft card.