With the 10th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft the Dallas Cowboys should be able to come away with a blue-chip prospect from this year’s draft class. One such player could be the former Northwestern Offensive Tackle Rashawn Slater, who’s been receiving Zack Martin comparisons here lately.
Depending how things go with the first nine draft picks and whether or not the Dallas Cowboys want to invest more into their OL, Rashawn Slater should definitely be a consideration for them with the 10th overall pick. That’s especially true if they believe he’s another perennial All-Pro like Zach Martin, but is he?
Pre-draft Measurable’s
Rashawn Slater | Zack Martin | |
| Height | 6’4” | 6’ 4 ¼” |
| Weight | 304 lbs. | 308 lbs. |
| Arm length | 33” | 32 7/8” |
| Hand size | 10 ½” | 9 ½” |
| 40 yrd dash | 4.88 | 5.22 |
| Vertical | 33” | 28” |
| Bench | 33 | 29 |
| 3-cone | 7.48 | 7.65 |
From a measurable standpoint both Rashawn Slater and Zack Martin are very similar. The similarities don’t end there though. Not only did they both wear No. 70 in college, but also played left tackle as well. And, both were considered blue-chip players entering the NFL.
I don’t know about you, but it’s starting to seem as if Rashawn Slater could very well be the next Zack Martin. The similarities are certainly there, however, Slater has a long ways to go before he can achieve the same kind of accolades Martin has since entering the league.
After being selected by the Dallas Cowboys with the 16th overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft Zack Martin was kicked inside from left tackle to right guard, where he’s made six consecutive Pro Bowl appearances until last year when injuries caught up to him. It’s the same kind of position switch many are predicting would be best for Rashawn Slater, hence the comparison.
If true, history could be repeating itself for the Dallas Cowboys. Like Zack Martin coming out of Notre Dame, Rashawn Slater is viewed as a versatile offensive line prospect capable of starting at nearly every position. While Zack found his home at RG early on with the Cowboys it’s still unclear where Slater fits best long-term.
What makes this interesting is Slater’s position flex. On paper the Dallas Cowboys already have their starting five in Tyron Smith, Connor Williams, Tyler Biadasz, Zack Martin, and La’el Collins which doesn’t necessarily warrant the need for another first-round lineman. However, that shouldn’t necessarily prevent them from trying to upgrade the position either.
When you factor in Tyron Smith’s long-term health concerns and the lack of depth behind him, and the fact Connor Williams is entering a contract year Rashawn Slater certainly makes much more sense. He could step in Day 1 and be an upgrade at LG and potentially be the eventual replacement or emergency fill-in for Tyron Smith. Sounds like a win-win.
Blue-chip player with position flex, Tyron Smith’s eventual replacement, and the next Zack Martin? You can bet your bottom dollar he’s somebody the Dallas Cowboys could be interested in. He may not be their Plan A in the first round, but then again neither was Zack Martin. Are there no end to the similarities?
I think it’s a bit of a reach to compare Rashawn Slater to Zack Martin right now, but in time maybe that will become true. Despite the comparison though, Slater is somebody the Cowboys could definitely use and as such remains in play for them in the first-round. They’d be fools not to consider him, especially if he’s anywhere close to the Cowboys’ All Pro right guard.
