2021 NFL Draft: Rashawn Slater has real shot at OT1
By Hunter Neel
Competition for 2021 NFL Draft OT1
As mentioned before Slater currently edges out Sewell as my top offensive tackles in the class, but outside of those two are there any other potential players to sneak into the conversation late? The short answer – no? Am I positive saying that – also no.
Hear me out first though, the NFL draft process still has a long way to go and ultimately has just now begun as prospects are still declaring as the days go by. Because of this we could see some late movement for a player like Virginia Tech offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw to be an early round one guy. Will that mean he is taken before Slater or Sewell, no, but he is likely the only outside chance there is if you think it’s possible.
Now, back to the OT1 competition. We have already seen some of the biggest names in NFL Draft media announce that Slater has a chance to be OT1. This includes the likes of NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah, who talks to many league officials and has Slater as the top lineman back in late November. We have Lance Zierlein, an NFL Draft analyst for NFL.com, who agreed with Jeremiah stating that Slater is better. And finally we have Matt Miller, formerly of Bleacher Report and who is very well connected, stating that multiple area scouts and scouting directors he has spoken to believe Slater is the best tackle in the class.
It might seem crazy now, but give it a few months and there is a good chance we start to see Slater being the top lineman taken in mock drafts.