With The First Pick
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49ers: 3 Options with 12th overall pick in 2021 NFL Draft

By Nicholas McGee

Feb 9, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch and San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan during a press conference at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 9, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch and San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan during a press conference at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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Rashawn Slater could land with 49ers. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern

A prospect who did not play a snap in 2020, Rashawn Slater opted out of this past college football season to focus on his preparations for the draft, though it does not appear to have hurt his stock.

Indeed, NFL Media’s Daniel Jeremiah had Slater as his top offensive lineman in the class ahead of Oregon’s Penei Sewell – the consensus top tackle in the draft – back in November.

There is plenty of evidence to suggest that assessment was correct, Slater having produced an extremely impressive performance for the Wildcats in 2019 against 2020 second overall pick and Defensive Rookie of the Year favorite Chase Young.

Tabbed by many as a better fit at guard because of his inferior arm length compared to the other tackles in the class, Slater possesses the versatility to play every position on the offensive line.

And his mobility and athleticism make him a natural fit for the zone-blocking scheme employed by the 49ers offense.

The Niners will have a need at left tackle if they fail to re-sign impending free agent Trent Williams. Even if they succeed in bringing Williams back, there potentially would be an opening for Slater on the interior of the line, with the Niners having struggled to find a solution at right guard and having been robbed of center Weston Richburg for all of the 2020 season.

Given the struggles of right tackle Mike McGlinchey in 2020, the versatility of Slater would make him a wise player in which to invest a premium pick. If the 49ers stick with Garoppolo, they could well look to pounce if Slater falls and provide him with better protection.