After five games to start another disastrous season, New York Giants fans are ready to see Matt Peart start at right tackle for the rest of the year. Up to this point, 2018 free-agent acquisition Nate Solder has played on the right side. He made a temporary switch to left tackle due to the leg injury to Andrew Thomas.
Despite reportedly out-dueling Matt Peart in training camp, Nate Solder’s time as a starter should be done. He took a year off of football for personal reasons. However, he looks out of shape, thinner than two years ago, and totally lost at the tackle spot, not helping the offensive line’s progression; progression bad enough the Giants have dealt with season-ending injuries to two starting guards.
Matt Peart Needs to Replace Nate Solder
The Giants are 1-4 and with their season effectively over, it is time to start Matt Peart. The coaching staff needs to see what they have in their former 3rd-round pick since Solder will likely not be in a Giants uniform next year.
Overview
2020
The New York Giants drafted UConn offensive tackle Matt Peart with the 99th pick of the 2020 NFL Draft. Mixed in with Cameron Fleming at right tackle, Peart appeared in 11 games and started one for the Giants in 2020. Despite coming out as a raw prospect, Peart exceeded expectations. In 150 total snaps, Peart only allowed two sacks and nine pressures.
2021
The Giants did not draft an offensive lineman in the 2021 NFL Draft, which sent the message that the coaching staff was ready to move forward with the young crew they had. Despite this message being sent, the Giants brought back Nate Solder and lowered his cap hit to $9.5M.
During joint practices and regular padded practices, Peart noticeably struggled. One of Peart’s worst pre-season moments was when he allowed a sack to Bryce Huff on the first drive of the first preseason game against the New York Jets. However, he did get better as the game went on.
Peart did not play in Week 2 of the preseason but struggled against 2nd string edge rushers of the Cleveland Browns. His production was mixed the next week as he played with the second squad against the New England Patriots.
After a rough pre-season, Joe Judge named Nate Solder the starting right tackle and Peart the rotational swing tackle. Peart played 19 snaps in Week 1 and did not play another offensive snap until Week 5. In Week 5, Peart only allowed one pressure against the Dallas Cowboys front seven.
As for Nate Solder, the results have been subpar. Solder has started all of the games so far, playing 95% of the offensive snaps to this point. He gave up eight pressures against the Cowboys in Week 5. Comparatively, Andrew Thomas, who has only allowed six pressures in four games. Thus far, Solder has committed three penalties and two sacks.
Outlook
Though Peart did not play in Weeks 2-4, he looked like the better tackle by many margins against the Cowboys. Compared to himself from two years ago, Solder looks lethargic, out of shape, and is constantly being pushed in the backfield.
The Giants are 1-4 and it is likely they will replace the coaching staff, general manager, and the head coach at the conclusion of the year. In that case, the team should be evaluating anything they have that can be useful in the future.
Matt Peart is no Andrew Thomas, but he is miles better than Nate Solder at this point. The Giants invested a 3rd-round pick on Peart, while the team lowered Solder’s cap hit for this year. With that being the case, it is unlikely Solder is with the team next year.
With that being said, evaluate Matt Peart and start him at right tackle for the rest of the 2021 season.
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