Pearce Slater, OT, San Diego State: 2016 NFL Draft Scouting Report
Pearce Slater, a 2012 two-star recruit, Pearce Slater began his career at El Camino Community College before enrolling at Kansas prior to the 2013 season. After practicing for a week with the team, he transferred back to El Camino before winding up at San Diego State in 2014.
He started all 27 games at right tackle in his two seasons with the Aztecs. Very good height and weight with a bulky frame and marginal athletic ability. Played in this year’s NFLPA Bowl.
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Measureables
Height: 6’6” 3/4
Weight: 329 lbs.
Arm Length: 35.25 inches
Hand Size: 10 inches
Combine Results
40-Yard Dash: 5.42 seconds
10-Yard Split: 1.86 seconds
Bench Press: 17 reps
Vertical Jump: 23”
Broad Jump: 7’8”
Three Cone: 8.36 seconds
Short Shuttle: 5.12 seconds
Games Watched
2015: Air Force, California, Cincinnati, Nevada, Penn State
Strengths
As a run blocker, displays good athletic ability with a natural hip roll while maintaining good posture to come off the snap quickly and smoothly. Solid hand speed and long arms allow him to initiate contact and gain immediate leverage on the defender. Gets his hands inside defender’s shoulder pads and fuels blocks with his lower body to drive the defender off the line of scrimmage as a result of solid play strength.
That play strength is the key to his success on this play against California. The defender quickly recognizes the play is being run to the opposite side, but Slater is able to engage and drive the defender off the line of scrimmage. He never gives up his leverage on the play and eventually drives the defender to the ground four yards downfield.
Solid play speed to get to the second level of the defense.
In the passing game, Slater sets himself quickly after the snap. He displays solid mental processing skills with his understanding of where the QB is at all times and the patience to force the defender to make the first move.
Weaknesses
Marginal anchor as he plays with a narrow base, limiting his ability to maintain balance and leverage throughout his block. Struggles to find a defender to block when pulling or advancing to the second level of the defense as a result of poor vision. Large frame and adequate agility make it difficult for him to get free when in traffic.
As a pass blocker, does not display the same type of hand speed he does as a run blocker, allowing the defender to initiate contact. Shows a lack of flexibility and poor posture, playing too high and stiff as a result of marginal athletic ability. Does not stay on his toes as a pass blocker. Flat-footed, he lacks the lateral agility to prevent edge rushers from getting around the outside to the QB.
You can see Slater really laboring through his kick slide in the play below as he tries to slow down Penn State’s Carl Nassib. Against weaker competition, Slater’s sheer mass prevented defenders from getting to the QB in time, but edge rushers like Nassib (and those in the NFL) can dip their shoulders and bend around the edge before the QB releases the ball. Nassib gets the strip sack and Penn State takes it to the house for a score. This is a perfect example of why Slater’s best chance to succeed in the NFL will be inside at guard.
Overall
Overall, Pearce Slater is a developmental guard in a man blocking scheme who wins with his size and strength. Does not possess the lateral agility to block defenders off the edge from the tackle position. Slater’s frame and length are enough to get him selected in the draft, but it’s going to take some time before he can be counted on to play in the NFL.
Rather than simply getting in a defender’s way, he’s going to have to learn proper technique in order to keep his QB upright. Slater should be a late-round pick on day three of the NFL Draft.