2021 NFL Mock Draft: Bears trade into top 10, Washington Football Team goes offense
Offensive Tackle. Los Angeles Chargers. Rashawn Slater. 13. player. 13.
The is a dream scenario for the Chargers. The team is, once again, in need of some offensive line help, as the Trai Turner trade didn’t work out as they had hoped and they still don’t have a full-time answer at left tackle.
The Chargers added a couple of interior linemen in free agency. Corey Linsley will man the center spot while Matt Feiler will play either right or left guard. But they still could use an upgrade over Oday Aboushi for the other guard spot or for Trey Pipkins at tackle.
That’s why Rashawn Slater is such an ideal fit. Slater can play every position across the offensive front including center. He’s only 6-foot-4, 315 pounds, so he may not stick long-term at tackle, but that won’t stop the Chargers from trying him there.
The Chargers could draft Slater with the goal of him locking down the left side. If that doesn’t work, they can kick him inside and he should be a rock-solid player. Think of it like the Washington Football Team’s selection of Brandon Scherff in the 2015 NFL Draft.
Slater is a good prospect who had strong tape at Northwestern. He should have a chance to be a top outside starter and having him on board would go a long way toward helping Justin Herbert find success.
If the Chargers aren’t big on Slater, they could consider a similarly versatile prospect in Alijah Vera-Tucker or a tackle like Christian Darrisaw. They should be selecting an offensive lineman if the board falls like this.