The NFL Draft is just three months away and the Dallas Cowboys are already filling out their draft board. With the 10th overall pick in this year’s draft, Dallas is in a prime position to draft one of the best players in the 2021 class.
There are many ways that the Cowboys can go in this draft. They can draft a defensive player, continue to help Dak Prescott and draft an offensive lineman or even select Kyle Pitts who draws comparison to Darren Waller of the Las Vegas Raiders. n
With Prescott coming off a gruesome injury, the Cowboys might lean towards protecting their franchise quarterback over fixing that defense. With Penei Sewell likely off the board by their tenth pick. Is Slater a player that the Cowboys should think about selecting?
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Rashawn Slater
The Dallas Cowboys are in for a stressful couple of months trying to figure out what direction the team should go. A name that has really risen in the draft is the offensive tackle for the Northwestern Wildcats, Rashawn Slater. Slater has played both right tackle and left tackle at Northwestern and can fit in at center if needed.
Slater comes in at 6-foot-4, 315 lbs which is a little undersized for the average lineman in the NFL. However, Slater’s toughness and physicality are the reasons why he is projected to be a first-round pick in this year’s draft.
Slater played four years for the Wildcats where he finished second by PFF among returning Power Five offensive tackles in 2020. As a result, Slater has shown that he has the tools to be a solid offensive lineman in the NFL.
{Related: For a more in-depth look at Rashawn Slater}
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are in a tough spot. Do they choose to protect Prescott or choose to improve their atrocious defense? Nevertheless, the Cowboys have been known to draft offensive linemen in the first round. From 2011-2014, the Cowboys selected three offensive linemen in the first round during that span. Those selections were Tyron Smith, Travis Frederick and Zack Martin. All of whom had pretty successful careers with Dallas.
Since then the Cowboys haven’t selected an offensive lineman in the first round. However, the Cowboys might need help at that position more than they think. Frederick is no longer a part of the team as he retired while Smith and Martin are in their 30’s where injuries can play a factor. That is exactly what happened last year as both Smith and Martin dealt with injuries all season long.
In CBS’s recent mock draft, they have the Dallas Cowboys selecting Slater with the tenth pick.
Although the Cowboys will most likely go defense, do not be surprised if the Cowboys take a chance on Slater for the sole purpose of trying to protect their franchise quarterback.
Featured Image Courtesy of Inside NU
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