Nate Solder NFL Draft scouting report

by Dan Kadar on Jan 28, 2011 10:02 AM EST in 2011 NFL Draft

Nate Solder
6'8, 314 pounds | Offensive tackle | Colorado

Agility: As a former tight end, Solder has as much agility as you'd want in an offensive lineman. He has quick feet and can move around with ease. Displays good flexibility for the position.

Movement: Unlike most tackles, Solder is used on the move quite a bit. He's good pulling on the run and can effortlessly move to the far side of the line. Is good attacking on the second level. Has the footwork and straight-line speed to make blocks deep down the field.

Pass blocking: Likes to take a wide step to the outside to beat speed rushers to the corner. Uses his long arms to really drive pass rushers out of the play. Will struggle at times to turn to his right to block the inside rush after his kick slide. However, Solder is quick reset his feet in pass protection so this discrepancy should coachable. The other coaching point Solder will face is rising high out of his stance. When he does, Solder gets move around by linemen who are strong and quick.

Quickness: The first step Solder has is one of the better ones in this year's class. He's quick moving to the outside in pass protection. In the run game, Solder comes off the snap with good pace.

Run blocking: Most look at Solder's tall frame and consider him solely a pass blocker. Not so. If anything, Solder is a better run blocker than most give him credit for. He's strong in his arms and chest and uses that power to neutralize defenders.

Strength: Solder has deceptive strength despite possessing a frame that would make you think otherwise. Is especially strong in his upper body. You can tell Solder improved his strength between his junior and senior seasons. In 2009, Solder got pushed around, but he became more stout in 2010. Has a long frame that will support considerably more bulk.

Technique: This is the area where Solder needs to improve. He doesn't have good follow through technique in pass protection. That's to mean he gets good initial hand placement but doesn't maintain throughout the play. Solder isn't always fluid in his shuffle and tends to get sloppy in his footwork. Needs to come off the snap low to maintain leverage. The term sitting in chair as a blocker rarely applies to Solder.

Final word: A converted tight end, Solder remains a work in progress as a blocker. His technique is extremely raw and he'll need a lot of refinement. With that, it's surprising Solder has been as good as he's been. A first team AP All-American in 2010, Solder has more upside than any early round lineman in this year's draft.

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alot of people say he is not good enough for LT, thus he will be a RT...I can't disagree more!!

He is NOT a powerful run blocking RT, like Carimi, he is a light on your feet ( owns a reported 4.88 time in the 40 ) finesse type of LT.

Thats the SCAREY part, if he busts a LT, he can’t simply move to RT, or G.
But I think he will be a very good LT for a passing team (like the Colts, and thats where I have him)

side note :
Off the field Solder is the complete package…. graduated with a degree in Biology in May 2010, who is admired for his work ethic and character. (reportedly traveled to Guatemala and volunteered at an orphanage, and also went to Italy to help rebuild a town after an earthquake)

by durst on Jan 28, 2011 10:26 AM EST reply actions

Yep, but if you play him against smaller faster DEs like Freeney...

Freeney and those type of DEs are going to have field days with him. They’ll be putting on a clinic…

by jkp1516 on Jan 28, 2011 2:19 PM EST up reply actions

Agree

I watched Solder vs. California this season and he got beaten badly around the corner by the speed rush for two sacks. Was going against 5’ 11 213 Jarred Price – who looks even smaller on film.

by CalFanNY on Jan 28, 2011 3:18 PM EST up reply actions

Reminds me of Sebastian Vollmer, with a much higher ceiling.

He needs to stop coming out of his stance so high because that’s when the speed rusher blow by him.

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by Richard Hill on Jan 28, 2011 10:57 AM EST reply actions

good comparison

by Archie Barberio on Jan 28, 2011 12:05 PM EST up reply actions

Reminds me of Bruce Campbell with a little more experience...

Enormous OT, amazingly athletic, poor technique. Not saying he’ll last to the 4th round, but I think Solder will slide into the second.

by jkp1516 on Jan 28, 2011 2:20 PM EST up reply actions

best o tackle, him, carimi or costanzo ?

by FgallosJAGS on Jan 28, 2011 2:16 PM EST reply actions

Castonzo, IMO

Handled Robert Quinn with ease. Carimi has struggled at times, and Solder’s technique is crap

by jkp1516 on Jan 28, 2011 2:21 PM EST up reply actions

I disagree on Castonzo vs. Quinn

Just went back and watched the tape again. I counted just one sack by Quinn, made contact with the QB twice while throwing, got a few other pressures. Castonzo got help a few times. If anything, the tape shows Quinn’s great athleticism, but he definitely needs some more seasoning. Castonzo has great technique, he’s just going to have trouble with the fastest guys.

by ct17 on Jan 29, 2011 12:38 AM EST up reply actions

Sherrod

by durst on Jan 28, 2011 3:26 PM EST up reply actions

I'm going Carimi

Based solely on his sense of humor. Mayock called him a meatball and Carimi interpreted that as him being “round and delicious.”

Okay, okay. If we’re actually talking football and not meatballs, I’m between Carimi and Costanzo. I actually like Solder too but he’ll struggle against quicker defensive ends. I’m leaning more towards Carimi but we’ll see how he does in the Senior Bowl.

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by JRig on Jan 28, 2011 3:48 PM EST up reply actions

ahahah i love that post

by FgallosJAGS on Jan 28, 2011 6:36 PM EST up reply actions

lol...

round and delicious.

by The Dealio on Jan 29, 2011 3:01 PM EST up reply actions

His stock has risen since his workouts at the Senior Bowl

I’d like to see the Titans trade down to the bottom of the 1st round to get him….but they probably won’t.

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by titansfan4ever on Jan 28, 2011 3:58 PM EST reply actions

I Hope For The Bills

Would love to see the Buffalo Bills trade down with New England to get their two first round picks.
Then grab C.Carimi/ROT-Wisconsin and with a little luck get N.Solder/LOT-Colorado with the second pick. Early fourth round grab also J.Moffitt/ROG-Wisconsin

My Dream Buffalo Bills 2011 Offensive Line:
Solder/LOT……Levitre/LOG……Wood/OC……Moffitt/ROG……Carimi/ROT

Now we can run the ball with two stud running backs getting 1,000 yards. (Jackson/Spiller)

2012 Draft A.Luck and or M.Barkley

by Dziedzic on Jan 29, 2011 10:19 AM EST reply actions

I Hope For The Bills

Would love to see the Buffalo Bills trade down with New England to get their two first round picks.
Then grab C.Carimi/ROT-Wisconsin and with a little luck get N.Solder/LOT-Colorado with the second pick.
Early fourth round grab also J.Moffitt/ROG-Wisconsin

My Dream Buffalo Bills 2011 Offensive Line:
Solder/LOT……Levitre/LOG……Wood/OC……Moffitt/ROG……Carimi/ROT
Now we can run the ball with two stud running backs getting 1,000 yards. (Jackson/Spiller)
2012 Draft A.Luck and or M.Barkley

by Dziedzic on Jan 29, 2011 10:19 AM EST reply actions

Why not Sherrod?

First, let me say that yes, im a little bias because Im an SEC nut but that doesnt take away any facts as i present my case. I know everyone mostly talks about Solder, Carimi, Castanzo and most recently Tyron Smith as well but no one seems to consider Derek Sherrod as the top offensive tackle in this years draft. My question is, why not? I had to do some research because of the lack of articles on him compared to the others such as he’s not a former TE (Solder), he’s not the Outand trophy winner (Carimi) nor does he have any YouTube clips of his play (Smith and Castanzo) but the kid has a heck of a background and resume.

Credentials:
   34 Starts at LT in the SEC (the toughest conference in college football)
   Permanent Team Captain for the 2010 season
   4 Time SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week (Georgia, Houston, Kentucky, Ole Miss)
   1st Team All-SEC in Coaches and Press polls
   2nd Team AP All-American
   1st Team All-American in various other polls
   William V. Cambell trophy finalist along with Solder and Castanzo
   847 Snaps and 0 accredited sacks towards him *Only one that could be debatable is the final play in game vs Arkansas in which the center snapped the ball early on a 2 count)
    Had the longest wingspan and hand lengths at the Senior bowl (35 1/2 & 11)

I can say that all of the tackles in this years draft doesnt seem to be elite as in there arent any Jake Longs and Joe Thomas’ in this draft. With that being said, everyone has their flaws and inconsistencies. Everyone has upsides and downsides, but Sherrod has the least amount of risk in my opinion.

Solder:
If he’s the first tackle taken first then its purely on hype and potential. He has the size and accolades but he’s shown to get beat by speed. Everyone has seen his youtube video vs Cal but did you notice he gave up a SACK FUMBLE in the senior bowl to Sam Acho from Texas and another near sack to Brooks Reed from Arizona? He’s either a hit or a miss as far as future potential. Risky.

Smith:
Supposedly has superb athletic ability and tons of potential at LT. He’s currently undersized at 285 so he needs to add more weight and strength. He’s unproven at left tackle as he only played RT for 2 years. I never heard of him until after he declared for the draft cause he didnt make any All-American honors that Ive seen. IF so please let me know. Could you imagine the Colts or someone with a quality QB drafting smith, a unproven LT, to protect your pro bowl franchise QB? i doubt it. Very Risky

Carimi and Castanzo arent currently considered the top tackles so not a lot of convo hear. all I know is that Carimi is considered a RT in the NFL as a powerful run blocker without LT feet. I dont know why Castanzo isnt also in consideration as top tackle as well but it probably has to do with strength issues. He also gave up a sack in the senior bowl by a bull rush.

Sherrod: He doesnt have the mean streak scouts and GMs like to see. He’s not a mauler at run blocking but is effective. He could use better technique in pass protection but doesnt get beat by speed rushers. He could get stronger to handle bull rushes more efficiently so he does bend but doesnt break. His upside is that he pretty much just gets the job done as in he keeps the QB upright. As the main reason why LTs get paid the big bucks next to QBs, he simply keeps the QB off the ground.

by superbowlchamp on Feb 21, 2011 3:21 AM EST reply actions