2021 NFL Draft: Chicago Bears trade up for QB in two-round mock draft

The Los Angeles Chargers are in a very similar situation to the Cincinnati Bengals. Both teams found their clear franchise quarterbacks last year and should be prioritizing protecting them in the 2021 NFL Draft.

With Sewell off the board, the Chargers go with another big mauler in Northwestern’s Rashawn Slater. Slater, like Sewell, is a force to be reckoned with in the run game. He has big, powerful hands to manhandle defenders and move them aside.

In pass protection, Slater is very, very smooth. He has quick feet and uses his powerful hands well to keep defenders out of his body. His pass set is very technically sound and has been effective against some of the best edge rushers in football in the Big Ten, including Chase Young.

Slater wouldn’t be a flashy pick and would likely be questioned if selected this high in the 2021 NFL Draft, but he is a very well-rounded player at a position of need for the Chargers. Los Angeles brought in free agent Bryan Bulaga last offseason and had him move from right tackle to left tackle for a period of time, but sliding in Slater at left tackle and keeping Bulaga where he is most comfortable at right tackle should be very beneficial for Justin Herbert.

Herbert has been outstanding as a rookie despite some lackluster offensive line play at times. A guy like Slater would help out the entire offense. Some view Slater as a guard at the next level, but I think he has what it takes to be a franchise left tackle in the NFL, protecting Justin Herbert for years to come.