LA Chargers: Ranking the 2021 rookies by projected first-year impact

(Photo by Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports) Rashawn Slater\

1. Rashawn Slater

Talk about a dream selection. The ultimate dream for Charger fans was Penei Sewell but we all knew that he was not going to fall to 13 and it would have taken the Chargers trading up for him, which was a split debate among fans leading up to the draft.

One thing is for certain, the LA Chargers are better off with what they got. Don’t get me wrong, Sewell is a sensational talent that will be a franchise tackle for years. But Slater should also be a franchise tackle for years and the Chargers did not have to trade an extra first-round pick (and more) to get him.

Now, I do think Sewell is going to be better out of the gate. Slater did not play in 2020 and we have no idea how that is going to impact his production early in the season. Luckily there are preseason games this year to gauge where he is at, but there very well could be some cobwebs to dust off.

He is also a bit undersized for a tackle, which I think will be fine in the long run but can work against him early in his career as he is coming up against great pass rushers.

Slater has a test early in Week 1 against Chase Young, who he played really well against in college. Regardless, Slater is undoubtedly going to have the biggest impact on the team as it is his job to protect the blindside of the face of the franchise.

That is a massive role and one that can either make you the most loved person among fans or the most hated.

I have my money on the most loved.