New England Patriots: Early April 7-Round 2018 mock draft

The New England Patriots lost a handful of important players in free agency this offseason, with left tackle Nate Solder being the most important. Solder has been the Patriots’ starting left tackle since the 2012 season, proving to be a perfectly capable player at the position.

Solder is not an elite left tackle by any means, but he is an above average player at the position who protected Brady’s blindside well for many years. This offseason, the New York Giants signed Solder to a massive four-year, $62 million contract, making him the highest paid offensive lineman in NFL history. The Pats are going to miss Solder, but they were never going to pay him that kind of money.

As it stands now, LaAdrian Waddle will likely replace Solder as the Patriots’ starting left tackle in 2018. Waddle has some upside as a blindside pass protector, but he is far from a sure thing as a starting left tackle. If the Pats truly enter next season with Waddle as their starting left tackle, it is an obvious hole at one of the most important positions in this game.

In this mock draft, the New England Patriots look to solve their left tackle issue with the selection of Kolton Miller in the early second round. Miller is a fantastic athlete for an offensive lineman, showing incredible quickness and footwork on the outside. With great length, athletic ability and pass protection skills, Miller has a ton of upside as a left tackle at the next level.

He is a bit weak at the point of attack and is not exactly a technician as a pass protector, but Miller is an incredibly talented player who can be a true franchise left tackle. He may not be able to immediately fill the Patriots’ left tackle situation, but Miller has a chance to be a real long-term asset for New England.