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New England Patriots: 5 Players entering their final season in NE

By Marcus Stanois

Jan 22, 2017; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler (21) reacts after a play in the first half against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2017 AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 22, 2017; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler (21) reacts after a play in the first half against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2017 AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 4, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots tackle Nate Solder (77) blocks for New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots tackle Nate Solder (77) blocks for New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /

Nate Solder, OT, age 29

The Patriots drafted Nate Solder with their first round selection in the 2011 draft. As a rookie, Solder started thirteen games at right tackle for New England. In 2012, the Patriots moved him to left tackle as the successor to three-time Pro Bowler, Matt Light.

Solder started in 47 games for New England between 2012 and 2014, missing only one contest in three seasons. He started at left tackle in Super Bowl XLIX, playing every offensive snap and forfeiting one sack. In 2015, Solder started four games for the Patriots until a torn bicep in his right arm cut his season short.

A hamstring injury kept Solder out of the Patriots 2016 season debut against Arizona, although he started the every game through the remainder of the season. In the 2014 AFC Championship against Indianapolis, he caught his first touchdown.

New England addressed the offensive tackle position twice in this year’s draft, taking Troy’s Tony Garcia and UCLA’s Conor McDermott. Solder has one year remaining on his contract and is expected to hit free agency next March. The Patriots will develop Garcia over the 2017 season, grooming him into Solder’s successor.

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