Round 1 trade down candidate - OT/OG Rashawn Slater

[jetstream23]

Quote

• Height: 6’4”
• Weight: 315 Lbs
• College: Northwestern
• Year: Senior
• Position: Offensive Line

Rashawn Slater is an underrated lineman in a deep offensive line class. He has the ability to be a foundational piece on any team’s offensive line.

Slater chose to forgo his senior year at Northwestern, to declare for the 2021 NFL Draft, after an exceptional 2019 season.

The lineman is from Sugar Land, Texas, where he attended Clements High School. At High School, Slater played guard and was a 3* recruit. Committing to Northwestern he was projected as the 32nd offensive guard by 247sports.

At Northwestern, Slater has proved versatile to the Wildcats. Over the years, Slater would go on to get 26 starts at right tackle before moving over to left tackle for the 2019 season, where he made 11 starts.

Slater has won academic honours every year he has been at Northwestern and has shown fantastic work ethic. He is smart and is always looking for ways to get better.

His versatility has made him an interesting evaluation. Teams will be considering where to utilise him as he has been so productive across all offensive line positions. 

Slater has been projected to move inside throughout the summer; but it may not be that simple. He is utterly underrated at the tackle position and he could forge a great career protecting the edge. Teams will be reassured that they can move him inside without any bother at all. 

Rashawn Slater is a clever, powerful, but shifty lineman who has great lateral mobility. He is an animal in every phase and has the ability to be dominant as a pro. 

 

Not a sexy pick and we wouldn't take him at #2 for sure, but in a trade down scenario where perhaps the Jets move into the 8-15 range I really like the idea of taking Slater.  He plays all over the line, starting at Left Tackle for Northwestern after starting two years at Right Tackle.  Can also play Guard and has even reportedly played some Center.  Very smart, great lateral movement, and he's in the sweet spot of size that makes him a fit across multiple OLine positions.

One of his claims to fame is locking down Chase Young in 2019, nullifying the Ohio State standout's potential impact on the game...

 

Good teams have a plan in mind for a player when they target him and Draft him.  The plan for Slater is almost perfect....

1. Plug him in immediately at either RG (replacing GVR) or RT (replacing Fant) in his rookie season

2. Give your OLine roster planning supreme flexibility and options in what you do next (draft/sign an OG or take advantage of a RT dropping in the Draft in a future year).  You can move Slater to accommodate how you construct your OLine with little/no drop-off.

3. You have an elite backup LT to Becton.  Becton needs to leave a game and you can slide Slater over to LT and put GVR, Fant into the vacant spot you took Slater from.

I think taking Slater unlocks the offense for Joe Douglas and lets the Jets get sexy with one of their next picks (Toney, Etienne, Bateman, etc.) on offense.

 

Okay fellas, throw the darts at this idea! 

 

@mrcoops

[mrcoops]

Nice thread!

I really like Slater, and I think JD will too.

The guy just seems to be rock solid, and extremely versatile into the bargain. Kind of like a Damien Woody, capable of playing any position on the OL and playing it very well.  Slater is not quite as large as Big Wood, but I think he can be just as good in the pros and might well be drafted higher than Damien was (17th overall).

If the Jets can trade down, add another premium pick this year or next, and still draft Slater then that would be a move I would be very happy with.

 

[nycdan]

I don't hate this at all.  Most mocks have him going in the 12 or 13 holes.  If we traded down to anywhere from 8-11, he should be in consideration, depending on who else is on the board.

[maury77]

I really like Slater. I don't think he will ever be dominant at the outside due to his length restrictions, but I think he has all pro ability on the inside. 

[kdels62]

Hate it... not because I hate Slater, he’s great but not taking a QB would be a disaster scenario.

[PepPep]

7 hours ago, jetstream23 said:

but in a trade down scenario where perhaps the Jets move into the 8-15 range I really like the idea of taking Slater.

I like Slater a lot as well and I don't think he's necessarily underrated. I actually think there are other OTs that are (albeit less versatile) much more underrated (Josh Ball for example).

The thing is a trade down scenario is a BIG IF. That would mean we don't take a top rookie QB, don't trade Darnold for additional draft capital, don't pull off a trade for Watson. All 3 of those would be disappoints for me. 

WITHOUT a trade down, Slater is just not in the cards for the Jets. He could slide to 23, but its highly unlikely. I really like Teven Jenkins out of Oklahoma State at 23 or early in Rd. 2 as a future RT/current backup OT  on either side. He may not be as versatile as Slater but he's long, athletic, and strong as a bull in the pass and run game. Otherwise, there's also Dillon Radunz who I also like a lot in that same range. More versatile and I think he could also play OG in the NFL, he's just such a great run blocker. But he has a lower ceiling (IMO) than a guy like T.Jenkins. 

However, I think the reality is (and Jets fans should be ready for this) that JD will take a QB (Fields/Wilson) at #2 and either trade down from #23 to add ore draft selections or take a Pass Rusher. I know not all Jet fans may like that but that's what I expect to happen. Rd. 2 we may see a WR and/or O-line...and of course we have those two third rounders.  

[bitonti]

Are we sure he's 6'4? Arm measurements please 

[Greenseed4]

This is Daniel Jeremiah’s #1 rated OL, as was Becton last year.  I really think our #1 non-QB target will be Kyle Pitts in the 6-8 range because he’s so unique. But I would think Slater is the top backup plan because of his versatility and movement skills. 

 

[Chrebetfan80]

I think most fans are going to be disappointed with the draft day direction in general.  

If we trade down, some will be disappointed we didn't trade Darnold or draft a QB,  others will be disappointed in the direction we go.  Just get ready to not be happy. 

If we trade down I think it unlikely we go OL with the first pick.  Just my feeling, but there are other needs on this team more pressing, and its a decently deep OL class so I can see us pushing that off until later on (especially if the jets sign Linsley in FA).  I think realistically in a trade down scenario assuming it is in the top 10 you are probably looking at two possibilities Kyle Pitts, and Jamar Chase. If both are gone, don't rule out the Jets trading back again in order to further bolster their capital. 

The second 1st round pick is where things could get interesting.  While i believe that Edge is primarily where the team will go with that selection, if they go Kyle pitts then that spot becomes attractive for a WR as well.  There is an outside chance here that they could go OL but as bad as everyone wants to create that DOMINANT unit, I do not see JD selecting that position in the first round this year with Becton Mcgovern and potentially linsley all on the team and Fant having a solid year and this new scheme fitting him well.  If we dont sign linsley then that all could change. 

 

[Columbia Jet Fan]

Love Slater. Seems like he is going to go somewhere between 7-14, so agree a trade back is most likely. I could also see us moving up from 23 to get him, especially in a scenario like the Brugler trade where we package Sam + 23 and move up with SF. 

Slater and Vera-Tucker are the two lineman I'd be OK with using pick #23 with or (more likely) packaging pick 23 and more assets to move up. I hate the idea of moving up giving how many holes we have, however both of these guys have upside of being a top G in the league, and also have the potential to replace Fant. For 2021 they can play G while Fant plays RT, replace Fant at T and save $10mm of cap space, or step in for Fant if he gets hurt. That versatility, high floor (I think both will be good guards), and potential upside (future RT), would make me ecstatic if we ended up with either. 

 

[nycdan]

I'd rather wait on Vera-Tucker, who might make it to #23.  If we're talking about using a 5th to trade up 2 or 3 spots to get him, fine, but otherwise, there are enough other players who would be available there that would be upgrades, that I don't see it as necessary to go get either of them. 

Especially if we are able to reel in Thuney.

 

[jetsons]

14 hours ago, Greenseed4 said:

This is Daniel Jeremiah’s #1 rated OL, as was Becton last year.  I really think our #1 non-QB target will be Kyle Pitts in the 6-8 range because he’s so unique. But I would think Slater is the top backup plan because of his versatility and movement skills. 

 

JD will not be drafting a TE as his 1st pick in the 2021 draft. 

[Greenseed4]

56 minutes ago, jetsons said:

JD will not be drafting a TE as his 1st pick in the 2021 draft. 

Maybe, maybe not. It would depend on how far we can trade down, and how well he tests.  If he times in the 4.5s he might be considered that rare WR/TE hybrid that can line up outside. If that’s the case, you’re looking at a Chase Claypool with better hands.  A nightmare matchup. 

I’d check out his article on PFF that says he has graded higher than ANY TE EVER. 

https://www.google.com/amp/s/247sports.com/college/florida/Article/Kyle-Pitts-best-tight-end-college-football-Florida-Gators-NFL-Draft-Heisman--157130006/Amp/

[jetstream23]

9 hours ago, nycdan said:

I'd rather wait on Vera-Tucker, who might make it to #23.  If we're talking about using a 5th to trade up 2 or 3 spots to get him, fine, but otherwise, there are enough other players who would be available there that would be upgrades, that I don't see it as necessary to go get either of them. 

Especially if we are able to reel in Thuney.

 

That's the thing.  I'd want to get either Slater or Vera-Tucker but I think #2 is too early for both and #23 might be too late and they could both be gone.

There likely needs to be some maneuvering to make this happen if the Jets really want to target one of these guys.

[nycdan]

9 minutes ago, jetstream23 said:

That's the thing.  I'd want to get either Slater or Vera-Tucker but I think #2 is too early for both and #23 might be too late and they could both be gone.

There likely needs to be some maneuvering to make this happen if the Jets really want to target one of these guys.

Then maybe an Edge or CB at #23 and go OL at #34?  We really do have a lot of opportunities to improve the roster (such a nice way to say it!).  Again, I think if we land Thuney (or Scherff) it takes a lot of pressure of going OL that early.  But I'm still not opposed to it if the draft falls that way.

[Greenseed4]

14 minutes ago, jetstream23 said:

That's the thing.  I'd want to get either Slater or Vera-Tucker but I think #2 is too early for both and #23 might be too late and they could both be gone.

There likely needs to be some maneuvering to make this happen if the Jets really want to target one of these guys.

We still have flexibility depending on how free agency shakes out. 

If we land Thuney we can target a Center in round 2/3, move McGovern to RG. 

If we sign Lindsley, we can target a OG in round 2/3 (Dillon Radunz, Wyatt Davis, Trey Smith), and move McGovern accordingly. 

[Philc1]

Cool. Now draft Sewell at 2