Steelers Gab 2011 NFL Draft Prospect Scouting Report – OT Nate Solder

By Jeremy Fuchs

NATE SOLDER, OT, COLORADO

Triangle Numbers: 6-9,315, 4.92

Scouting Reports:

Draft Countdown:

Strengths:
• Great size w/ huge frame, long arms and large hands
• Athletic and a natural knee bender with nimble feet
• Extremely quick and agile with outstanding balance
• Moves well laterally and is able to slide and mirror
• Excels in pass protection and can protect the edge
• Shows the ability to adjust and recover when beat
• Understands positioning / angles and seals off defenders
• Can sustain blocks and control defender once locked on
• Mobile w/ range to get out in space and to second level
• Intelligent with good instincts and overall awareness
• Durable with a great work ethic and is also a leader
• Lots of experience but still has considerable upside

Weaknesses:
• Is not very strong or powerful and has a narrow base
• May be too tall and has trouble with leverage at times
• Not stout at point of attack and struggles to anchor
• Isn’t a dominant run blocker and won’t get a big push
• Average hand use and lacks a violent initial punch
• Not really a finisher and could be more aggressive
• Still raw and will have to refine / polish technique
• Must continue to add weight and develop physically

Sideline Scouting:

Positives: Extremely athletic… Intelligent, heady… Reasonably good agility… Good length and long arms… Excellent speed, quick feet… Good pass blocker… Flashes the ability to play with good knee bend… Good lateral movement and slide… Does a reasonably nice job staying in front of defender… Good run blocker… Very solid drive blocker… Carries his pads well… Solid strength… Can coil up and generate reasonably good power… Does a good job staying on his blocks… Uses his hands well… Can get to the second level… Good flexibility… Breaks down well and does a nice job blocking on the move… More of a wall-off blocker than a mover down field… Hard worker, flashes a mean streak… Can play LT but fits best at Right Tackle in ZBS.

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