NFL Free Agency 2018: One move each team should make

New England Patriots: Re-Sign OT Nate Solder

As long as Tom Brady is their quarterback and Bill Belichick is their head coach, the New England Patriots are going to be Super Bowl contenders. That being said, with Brady turning 41-years-old before the beginning of next season, their incredible run of dominance could end at any time. The Patriots are in an immediate window to win now and need to do everything that they can to improve this team while they still have Brady.

New England is not exactly loaded with cap space this offseason. I would not expect to see any big-time additions from outside the organization in NFL free agency, but the Patriots have shown the ability to be creative many times in the past. Expect them to be active.

If nothing else, the Patriots simply must find a way to get left tackle Nate Solder back into the fold this offseason. Solder hits free agency this offseason after spending the first seven years of his career in New England. Solder is not an elite NFL left tackle, but he is an extremely dependable player who has done an adequate job of protecting Brady and opening up holes in the run game throughout his career.

Solder is joined on the open market by both Cameron Fleming and LaAdrian Waddle, the Pats’ two primary backup tackles last season. If the Patriots lose Solder, they risk having Antonio Garcia as their starting left tackle next season. Garcia has never played a snap in the NFL. That is not the best way to take advantage of one of Brady’s remaining years. There is no doubt about it, Nate Solder needs to be offseason priority number one for the New England Patriots.