With rumors popping up that the Cleveland Browns are interested in trading for New York Giants left tackle, Nate Solder, it begs the question: Does it makes sense?
Solder carries a massive cap-hit into next season at $19.5 million, but Big Blue has an out in his contract after 2019 that would count $13 million dead cap. With a lack of trusted left tackles in the league, sending him on his way and taking that type of hit would be ludicrous, but trading him, however, is a great alternative.
With the Browns prickling their ears for offers, sending him for a mid-round pick would be a great idea, on one condition — the Giants have a capable replacement for him.
Currently, on the roster, there’s nothing that resembles a left tackle, not that Solder has looked any better than a turnstile this season. Getting anything from a monster deal like his would be positive, and getting his massive cap hit off the books would be a benefit. It would open up nearly $20 million in cap space and give general manager Dave Gettleman the green light to draft a top tackle in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Who could the New York Giants pursue at left tackle?
Trent Williams of the Washington Redskins seems to be the most glaring option, given his quality in the past and $14.75 million cap hit next season. He will also only cost $2 million in dead-cap if the Giants wanted to cut him for whatever reason.
Williams requested a trade from Washington months ago after concern surfaced over a medical clearance. He has since sat idly by while the team holds onto his contract and pays him to sit on the couch. It seems like a pretty sweet deal to me, but with the trade deadline closing in, the Skins could be using him as leverage to gain draft capital. If you’re the Giants, trading Solder and snagging Williams would be a fantastic turn of events.
In 2018, the last time Williams featured in the NFL, he earned a PFF grade of 74, compared to Solder’s 64 this season. It would be a massive upgrade for a lesser cost, but the capital that would be exchanged for the left tackle would likely make up the difference in play-quality, plus some.
This hypothetical looks fantastic on paper, but it would take a lot of luck for a double-deal like this to happen.