Los Angeles Chargers select Rashawn Slater in 2021 NFL Draft: Grading the pick
A season-ending four game winning streak couldn’t save Anthony Lynn’s job. Now Brandon Staley takes over as head coach of the Bolts.
Brandon Staley made quite a splash in his first and only season as the defensive coordinator of the Los Angeles Rams. The club allowed the fewest total yards and fewest points in the league. And such a performance by that unit garnered enough attention for him to be a head coaching candidate and eventually hired by the Los Angeles Chargers this offseason.
The Bolts have a budding star in 2020 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Justin Herbert and plenty of talent in defensive end Joey Bosa, wide receiver Keenan Allen and safety Derwin James. Now add 2021 first-round pick Rashawn Slater to the mix.
He was the second offensive tackle off the board on Thursday night behind Oregon’s Penei Sewell. And he’s the first offensive lineman selected in the first round by the organization since Alabama’s T.J. Fluker in 2013. And like Sewell, the former Northwestern standout also opted out in 2020 (via Pete Thamel of Yahoo! Sports).
Grading the Los Angeles Chargers pick of Rashawn Slater at No. 13 in the 2021 NFL Draft
T. player. A. 13. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Northwestern. Rashawn Slater
It’s safe to say that NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein has high praise for this Wildcat:
"Three-year starter with experience at both left and right tackle positions. His compact frame carries play strength that can be filed in the “grown man” category, as evidenced by his heads-up battles against 2020 No. 2 overall pick Chase Young in 2019. Slater operates with confidence and efficient movement that sees him in position to get his job done on most snaps. His lack of length will lead some teams to view him as a guard, but the footwork and talent outside might be worth allowing him to prove it at tackle first. His combination of strength, athletic ability and quick processing should make him one of the safer offensive line picks in this draft and an early starter."
Consistent offensive line play has eluded the Chargers in recent years and general manager Tom Telesco addressed this unit twice in free agency this year with the signings of center Corey Linsley (Packers) and versatile Matt Feiler (Steelers). Slater may be expected to be a Week 1 starter. And if he and the other newcomers can gel quickly, the Chargers could feature a much-improved set of blockers.