Cowboys 2021 draft positional rankings: Offensive Tackle

1 – Rashawn Slater

At six foot three and 305-pounds, this lineman is the smallest of all the top prospects but he is certainly the best when the tape comes on. The undersized Northwestern product plays the part but falls short of the preferred measurables.

Either way, Slater is the best left tackle in this draft and will more than likely become the top instant plug-and-play candidate this year. His projected ability to play every position but center is also appealing to teams that have players they aren’t comfortable with within their current position.

Slater has good footwork and a smooth kick slide that looks effortless but ready. His fist packs a punch but also knows when and how to attack his opponent. If you asked me who I thought would become the best tackle in this draft and my answer would have no hesitation.

His passing setup has just about everything you would hope in a prospect. His run game blocking does leave a bit of meat on the bone as he doesn’t have the overpowering strength.

Slater has an attitude about him when he pass blocks but could use more of that confidence in the run game. His functional strength is fine but he doesn’t have the finishing power like Sewell before.

He would be able to hold up through the season strength wise but a regular NFL offseason with proper strength and training program could allow Slater to become the punishing player some might envision when projecting his ceiling.

Slater to me is the offensive line version of Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald. An undersized player whose smaller stature and athletic ability could allow him to instantly win the leverage battle in most matchups.

Slater with the Dallas Cowboys would probably have the same path as Sewell before him. An instant starter at left guard whose future at the position is tied to the playing status of Tyron Smith.

The NFL draft is loaded with offensive tackles which makes me believe a few teams could pass on the top ones and still get a good one in round two. Names like Alex Leatherwood from Alabama and Oklahoma State’s Tevin Jenkins are also prospects to watch as the second wave of tackles is very undecided.

Samuel Cosmi from Texas, USC’s Alijah Vera-Tucker, and Walker Little from Stanford are all players that multiple teams would probably be thrilled to draft. If the Dallas Cowboys bite on one of the top two in this draft I certainly wouldn’t be disappointed but I would understand if they do pass on the position as this year’s tackle class is loaded.