No matter how you want to spin it, the Los Angeles Chargers' selection of Jake Slaughter was a bit of a gamble.
Slaughter played all of his snaps at center in college, and he has very little experience at guard, where the Chargers will expect him to compete for the starting spot from day one. He doesn't necessarily have the usual frame and strength you'd see in a guard prospect, either. But if it is truly a gamble, it's one on Mike McDaniel's ability to identify and integrate offensive line talent into his run-heavy scheme.
In that sense, there's reason to be optimistic about Slaughter, and there's a justifiable reason for the Chargers' decision to reach for him on draft night.
At first glance, many analysts were skeptical of the selection. But as the dust has settled after the Draft, many have come around on the Slaughter pick. Field Yates, for example, had Slaughter ranked as the 97th-best overall prospect on his big board just a week before the NFL Draft.
But in his recent piece outlining his favorite selections from Day 2 and 3, Slaughter got high honors as one of his 10 favorite offensive picks. Here's what Yates had to say:
"Every one of Slaughter's 2,053 college snaps came at center, but he projects to play right away at guard for the Chargers after they signed center Tyler Biadasz in free agency. Slaughter is tough and rugged while possessing the lateral quickness to excel in a zone-blocking scheme. He's one of four linemen the Chargers drafted and should make an instant impact." Field Yates, ESPN
Chargers' Jake Slaughter selection is starting to look more reasonable by the day
When the Chargers grabbed Slaughter at 63rd overall, it was natural to be somewhat confused at the selection. Slaughter was graded as a third or fourth-round prospect by most draft analysts, and Los Angeles' need for a starting-caliber guard made a swing on a player undertaking a positional switch feel risky.
At the very least, it still leaves them vulnerable to a scenario where Slaughter isn't ready to take over starting duties in Week 1 and they're ultimately handed over to Trevor Penning. That would be, let's say, less than ideal.
But the Chargers' brass has done its work since the Draft reassuring the fanbase of their faith in Slaughter. McDaniel has spoken about his vision for his guards in his overarching blocking scheme, and it seems as though Slaughter is exactly what he's looking for. Joe Hortiz has revealed that multiple teams admitted they may have been after Slaughter in the third round if the Chargers hadn't grabbed him.
A lot will hinge on what Slaughter is able to show through OTAs and training camp. But for now, McDaniel and the rest of the Chargers organization have done an excellent job outlining their vision for Slaughter.
Yates' vote of confidence (and his use of textbook Harbaugh terms like 'tough' and 'rugged') reflect those efforts.
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