The BUST-O-METER is back again to break down our top 15 draft bust risks. The series of articles will look at two prospects per week breaking down why I feel they have a high potential for busting. Many factors played into my ranking including potential draft position. The draft position is very important because if they are selected high than what their production warrants it puts them at a higher likely hood of busting. These articles always bring a ton of feedback and are highly controversial which is what makes them so fun.
NFL Draft BUST-O-METER: #2 Nate Solder
For a reference, I like to classify a bust as someone that doesn’t live up to their draft position. This means that if a player is selected #1 overall I expect him to be a dominate player in the league. I also take into consideration what position the player is projected to play in the NFL. For example, if someone is selected in the top 10 and is projected as a rush 3-4 linebacker I expect to see a high sack total. Of course, there are many other factors that are specific for each player so check out the rest of the article after the JUMP.
Also don’t forget to stop by our Scouting Reports page to get an in-depth look at each prospect.
Player: Nate Solder
BUST-O-METER: 9 out of 10
Projected Draft Range: #9 overall to late 1st round
Thoughts: Solder is the most athletically gifted offensive tackle in the 2011 draft class. At 6-8 319 lbs, Solder possesses great size but also has exceptional athletic ability. He blew scouts away with his workout numbers and the fluidity of his movements. Solder is gaining a ton of attention as many teams are looking for a long term solution at the left tackle position.
While Solder has good measurables, he doesn’t always play up to his athletic ability. For example, Solder possesses long arms but plays short armed. This allows defenders to get into his body and impacting his ability anchor after contact. Another issue I noticed is that immediately after the snap Solder stands straight up limiting his balanced and ability to change direction. His high pad level also impacts his ability to anchor after contact. He routinely struggled with adjusting to counter moves and was vulnerable to inside rush moves. Solder possesses quick feet but doesn’t completely understand how to properly use angles which hinders his ability to protect the edge.
Overall, Solder has a ton of potential but has several question marks surrounding his game. The fact that he has good size and athletic ability will likely mean an early selection. Solder will be selected based on his upside but he needs time and work in order to live up to that potential
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