Philadelphia Eagles draft: 3 Surprising yet possible selections at 12

Philadelphia Eagles (Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)
Philadelphia Eagles (Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports) /
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Philadelphia Eagles, Rashawn Slater (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Slater would look really good in a Philadelphia Eagles jersey.

While it wasn’t as bad as their 1986 season in which they gave up an NFL record 104 sacks, the 2020 season wasn’t ideal for the Eagles offensive line. The unit surrendered a league-high 65 sacks last season, which could persuade the front office to draft an offensive lineman, or in this case, Rashawn Slater.

Slater stands at six-foot-four and weighs in at 315 pounds. Although he’s a bit undersized compared to traditional tackles, his skill set allows him to succeed at that position among others.

The Northwestern product is extremely versatile, playing multiple positions during his college career. His athleticism and strength would allow the Eagles to plug and play him wherever they want along the line.

He would also provide depth, which is something the Eagles have desperately needed recently. Over the past three years, Andre Dillard, Jordan Mailata, and Brandon Brooks have each spent at least one year on the injured reserve list. It’s also worth noting that Lane Johnson missed 13 games during that time. Acquiring Slater would not only give the team a premier player for the foreseeable future but would ensure that the position has depth, no matter what position on the offensive line.

The best pick isn’t always the sexiest one. While it may not be the flashy wide receiver or loudmouth cornerback, the decision to roll with Slater at pick 12 could benefit the Eagles in the long run.