New England Patriots Free Agency: What’s Next?
By Hal Bent
T Cameron Fleming, T LaAdrian Waddle and T Austin Howard
With Nate Solder cashing in and now a New York Giant and the highest paid offensive tackle (per season annual average) in NFL history, there is little help available in free agency. Most teams do not allow good tackles to get to market and New England gambled they could bring back Solder and lost the gamble. A solid tackle, he is no way worth the money he got from New York and the Patriots made the right move bowing out of the bidding after $12 million per season.
The market is flooded with older tackles who are nothing more than journeymen (Sam Young, Chris Clark, Marshall Newhouse, Ben Ijalana and Byron Bell), past their prime (Eric Winston, Khalif Barnes and Will Beatty), or members of underachievers anonymous (Greg Robinson, Kevin Pamphile, Darrell Williams, Cyrus Kouandjio, Emmett Cleary and Michael Ola). Fortunately for the Patriots, they have had a close-up view of two of the top three remaining tackles.
Fleming and Waddle both played well filling in at right tackle last year after Marcus Cannon went on injured reserve. Waddle was the first choice, but injuries have slowed him down in his two-and-a-half years in New England. Fleming’s Super Bowl performance may have catapulted his value and price tag. He should be the Patriots’ first choice to sign due to his age (26-years old) and strong play.
The Patriots have been linked to Austin Howard. Howard got his chance with the Jets in 2012 and was solid in two seasons there. He played well in Oakland for three years and did well at right tackle last season for the Ravens. At 31-years old, he should have a few years left in the tank. He only plays on the right side so if he signs in New England Marcus Cannon will have to move to left tackle.