Leading up to the 2021 NFL Draft starting on April 29th, we will be releasing several draft profiles of prospects who could potentially see themselves on the Pittsburgh Steelers. Next up…
Rashawn Slater (Offensive Tackle), Northwestern, Senior
OVERVIEW:
Everyone knows the Steelers need help on the offensive line. So much so, the bulk of mock drafts that have been compiled have the Steelers filling this need in the first round (not to mention in later rounds as well). With that being said, it is safe to say the Steelers should be looking hard at Rashawn Slater.
PROS:
Standing at 6’3″ and weighing 304 pounds, Slater is a bit undersized compared to most linemen (i.e. David DeCastro, 6’5” 316 lbs; Matt Feiler, 6’6” 330 lbs; Kevin Dotson, 6’4” 321 lbs). However what he lacks in size, he makes up for in mobility, physicality, and the ability to plug into any position on the offensive line. At the Northwestern Pro Day on March 9th, Slater put up very impressive numbers:
- 4.88 second 40-yard dash
- 33 bench reps (225 lbs)
- 7.48 second three-cone drill
At Northwestern, Slater helped rejuvenate a monotonous offense (sound familiar?) and helped propel the Northwestern football program back into recognition. Needless to say, a lot of NFL scouts are drawn to Slater.
CONS:
Size. Yes, I know I just said that he makes up for it, but size is still one thing NFL coaches value in linemen. His arm length (33 inches) is one measurable that is shorter than average, and this may hinder his vision along the line. In a competitive division with Calais Campbell, Myles Garrett, Matthew Judon, and Yannick Ngakoue, this may be a hindrance for the Steelers. In addition, Slater elected to opt out of the 2020 collegiate season, amidst COVID concerns and to solidify his availability for the 2021 NFL Draft. By Slater sitting out an entire season, teams may be a bit cautious of how his skill set will translate to the NFL.
VERDICT:
There is no denying Slater is one of the best prospects at the offensive tackle position in this year’s draft. Slater’s draft stock has grown substantially as we draw closer to the draft and more and more NFL teams are adding him to their radars. There is no doubt Slater will be hearing his name called on Thursday, April 29th, and I hope it is the Steelers who call him.
Where do you think Rashawn Slater will land in April? Comment below!
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