The Giants are getting a hog molly lineman at a holy moly cost.
They will sign free-agent left tackle Nate Solder away from the Patriots later on Wednesday, a source confirmed, giving them an established left tackle for the first time since David Diehl. The NFL Network was the first to report the agreement. The price tag for that cornerstone of the offensive line is a four-year contract reportedly worth between $60 and $62 million, making Solder the highest-paid offensive lineman in the NFL.
It also makes 2015 first-round pick Ereck Flowers, their starting left tackle the past three seasons, expendable. The Giants may decide to keep Flowers, in the fourth year of his rookie contract, and try to move him to guard or right tackle. Or they can try to trade him or release him.
The Giants had opportunities to invest in the left tackle position in recent years, including last year when Andrew Whitworth was on the market. Instead they stuck with Flowers, whom they believed would blossom in his third NFL season. He did improve, but not nearly enough for the Giants and their new regime to entertain the idea of heading into 2018 with him as their starter at the position.
The Giants missed out on guard Andrew Norwell, who will sign with the Jaguars, in the opening day of free agent negotiations. Solder was their backup plan to rebuild the offensive line. They may still add more pieces to that construction project in free agency, although the draft is expected to provide a number of starting-caliber guards in the first and second rounds.
Solder played seven seasons for the Patriots and protected Tom Brady's blind side. He was the starting left tackle for the Patriots when the Giants beat them in Super Bowl XLVI.
