Patriots Free Agency Tampering Rumors: Nate Solder Garnering Heavy Interest

The NFL’s legal tampering period, in which teams can begin reaching out to unrestricted free agents, opened at noon ET on Monday.

Multiple New England Patriots free agents already have drawn interest on the open market. Teams can’t actually sign players until Thursday at 4 p.m. ET. Here’s the latest:

Marquis Flowers, linebacker: Flowers recently said on Twitter he’d like to be back with the Patriots, but multiple teams have expressed serious interest in him, a source told NESN.com.

LaAdrian Waddle, offensive tackle: It’s unlikely a deal between Waddle and the Patriots will get done before Wednesday, so expect the offensive tackle to test the market, according to a source.

Nate Solder, offensive tackle: Solder has drawn interest from the Denver Broncos and Houston Texans, NBC Sports Boston’s Mike Giardi reported. The Cleveland Browns also might enter the Solder sweepstakes, sources told Cleveland.com.

UPDATE (March 13, 10:45 a.m.): The Browns are making a “big run” at Solder, according to The Boston Globe’s Ben Volin.

UPDATE (6 p.m.): The New York Giants are “in huge on Solder,” The Sports Hub’s Scott Zolak tweeted.

UPDATE (March 14, 9:23 a.m.): It’s reportedly looking less likely Solder will return to the Patriots.

Malcolm Butler, cornerback: Giardi also reported the Oakland Raiders, Detroit Lions and Houston Texans are in on Butler, who is drawing interest from the New Orleans Saints, as well, according to ESPN’s Dianna Russini.

UPDATE: (March 13, 6 p.m.): Butler reportedly will sign a five-year contract with the Tennessee Titans.

Dion Lewis, running back: The Indianapolis Colts reportedly are “in on” Lewis, Giardi reported. The Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, New York Giants, Tennessee Titans, Houston Texans and San Francisco 49ers, plus the Patriots, also have shown interest in Lewis, a source with knowledge of the situation told ProFootballTalk.

UPDATE (March 13, 9:20 p.m.): Lewis will sign a four-year deal with the Titans, joining Butler, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

James Harrison, outside linebacker: The Patriots have been in contact about potentially bringing Harrison back, a source told MassLive.com’s Kevin Duffy.

Matthew Slater, wide receiver: There’s optimism Slater will re-sign with the Patriots, according to the Boston Herald’s Jeff Howe.

Danny Amendola, wide receiver: The Miami Dolphins will sign Amendola, a source told NFL Media’s Dan Hellie.

Patrick Robinson, cornerback: The Patriots have shown interest in Robinson, according to the Providence Journal’s Mark Daniels.

Paul Worrilow, linebacker: Daniels also reports the Patriots are interested in Worrilow.

AJ McCarron, quarterback: The Patriots offered McCarron a contract, according to WEEI’s Kirk Minihane.