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Versatile blocker could be Arizona Cardinals top draft pick

By Jim Koch

LINCOLN, NE - NOVEMBER 04: Offensive lineman Rashawn Slater #70 of the Northwestern Wildcats blocks linebacker Ben Stille #95 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on November 4, 2017 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
LINCOLN, NE - NOVEMBER 04: Offensive lineman Rashawn Slater #70 of the Northwestern Wildcats blocks linebacker Ben Stille #95 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on November 4, 2017 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images) /
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The 2021 NFL Draft is shaping up to be an intriguing one for the Arizona Cardinals. An 8-8 finish during the 2020 regular-season has set the organization up with the 16th-overall selection. The Cards have needs have several different positions, so there are an array of prospects who are qualified to be the club’s number-one pick.

One area where Arizona could improve at, not surprisingly, is the offensive line. One particular blocker who’ll be entering the league this year could pique the interest of general manager Steve Keim. A versatile lineman out of Northwestern University who could potentially help the team at multiple spots.

Rashawn Slater is projected to be a starting tackle at the professional level. There’s talk, however, that the 6’3, 315 pounder could find success at either guard or center as well. Where would Slater be best utilized by the Cardinals if Keim and his cohorts elected to bring him aboard?

At the moment, it appears that only two of the Cards five offensive line jobs are set for the 2021 campaign. Left tackle D.J. Humphries, who was signed to a three-year extension last year, is coming off of the best season of his pro career. Left guard Justin Pugh is entering the fourth year of a five-year deal he agreed to back in 2018.

That leaves three spots on the Arizona line where Slater could conceivably be a starter at. Center Mason Cole was mediocre at best last fall, and could be replaced. Right guard J.R. Sweezy and right tackle Kelvin Beachum will be entering free agency, and both could be playing elsewhere next season.

Slater was named third-team All-Big Ten following his sophomore campaign with the Wildcats in 2018. The Texas native opted out of his senior season last year, and announced that he’d be entering the ’21 NFL Draft. Slater is the son of Reggie Slater, a former power forward in the NBA.

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The Cardinals will have quite a few options when the draft’s opening round takes place this coming April. Slater could certainly be on their radar if management decides that an offensive lineman would help them the most.

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