2021 NFL Mock Draft: Washington Football Team goes offense in Round 1
Offensive Tackle. Dallas Cowboys. Rashawn Slater. 10. player. 123.
The once-vaunted offensive line of the Dallas Cowboys has gone from a strength to a weakness over the past couple of seasons.
Travis Frederick has retired. Tyron Smith has dealt with injuries that have caused him to wear down and regress. And last season, Zack Martin and La’El Collins were injured as well. While Martin and Collins should be healthy next year, it’s hard to rely on Smith, and that makes the left side of the line a weakness.
As such, the Cowboys are going to have to look for a left tackle of the future and someone that can fill in if Smith retires or has to miss time. Luckily for them, this is a great draft class in which to land tackle help, and they have options here.
Slater and Alijah Vera-Tucker were the two best players left on the board, but Slater ended up being the pick here largely for one reason. His versatility.
Slater can play every position along the offensive front. From left tackle to center to right guard, Slater can do it all. The Cowboys really need a player like him, as he could potential replace Smith if he retires or he could start in place of Joe Looney and Tyler Biadasz if the team isn’t happy with what they have at center. And if no starting job is open, Slater can be a versatile swing-man off the bat.
Standing at 6-foot-4, 315 pounds, Slater was well coached by Pat Fitzgerald at Northwestern. He has three years of starting experience at Northwestern and made 26 starts at right tackle and 11 on the left side. He’s a mauler in the run game, which is always important at Northwestern, but he was a great pass blocker too. Despite having to face the likes of Nick Bosa, Chase Young, and A.J. Epenesa, Slater usually managed to hold his own.
Slater would fill a big need for Dallas and improve Dak Prescott’s protection. That will prove important with Prescott coming off an ankle injury. The team could look at some defensive help, but at this juncture, the offensive linemen are better values and also fill a massive need, so they make the most sense.