If the San Francisco 49ers are going to stick with Jimmy Garoppolo as their quarterback for the 2021 season, it is imperative they get him better protection and, in Daniel Jeremiah’s latest mock draft, he has them doing exactly that.
Jeremiah tabbed Northwestern offensive tackle Rashawn Slater to the 49ers with the 12th overall pick in the first round.
Using a first-round pick on the offensive line makes a great deal of sense for San Francisco. Garoppolo was sacked on seven percent of his drop backs in 2020, had he taken enough snaps to qualify, that would have been level with Kirk Cousins for the 12th highest percentage in the NFL.
An ankle injury for Garoppolo pressed Nick Mullens into service for most of the season. Mullens was pressured on 31.4 percent of drop backs, the most of any quarterback in the league. Not all pressures are equal and some will be attributed to the quarterbacks, but the Niners’ issues up front were clear. Right tackle Mike McGlinchey had a down year while San Francisco did not find a combination on the interior of the line to quell pressure from coming up the middle.
The 49ers have made re-signing left tackle Trent Williams a priority but, even if they are successful in doing so, Slater could still be on the table because of his versatility. He can play every spot on the line, meaning he could initially start his career on the interior while serving as a possible replacement for McGlinchey if the 2018 first-round pick endures further struggles.
Beyond that positional flexibility, what would Slater bring to San Francisco?
What Slater would bring to 49ers
A key trait that will surely appeal to the Niners is Slater’s athleticism. In the run game, he can get to the second level in a hurry, efficiently climbing to meet linebackers that he regularly dominates, showing a consistent desire to finish blocks with authority.
Slater’s mobility makes him an asset in the screen game, where he can get out in front of his receiver and clear a path into the open field.
When pass protecting, Slater’s athletic ability is most evident in his lateral movement. Slater is extremely quick into his pass set, with his foot quickness enabling him to stay square against opposing pass rushers.
Slater plays with impressive leverage and good pad level, he has strong, quick hands that allow him to combat pass-rush moves while he can absorb bull rushes and shut them down with his ability to anchor.
Furthering the idea that Slater could operate at center in the NFL is his awareness in looking for work and picking up new assignments, doing so with composure that belies his two years of experience at the college level.
Looking at Slater’s traits
While he has occasionally proven susceptible to edge rushers who have quickness to win to the inside, that minor weakness did not translate to much in the way of pressure on the quarterbacks he protected. Slater did not allow a single sack in 2019 and gave up only five pressures, per Pro Football Focus.
Athleticism, dependability, and flexibility are the traits that Slater would offer the 49ers. A leaky offensive line that was short of solutions on the interior and did not run block to its potential last year could use all three.
Irrespective of how free agency plays out and what position they envisage him playing, Slater should be close to the summit of San Francisco’s draft board as the Niners look to bounce back in 2021.
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