Football Bio –
Slater was a standout tackle at Northwestern and became the 13th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. He immediately established himself as a premier pass protector, earning Pro Bowl, Second-Team All-Pro and PFWA All-Rookie honors in his first season. His combination of balance, leverage and foot quickness has made him the blindside anchor when healthy. 2026 context: Slater is returning from the patellar tendon injury that wiped out his 2025 season and has worked his way back into team periods.
HEIGHT
6' 4"
WEIGHT
315
EXPERIENCE
6 yrs
COLLEGE
Northwestern
2026 Outlook
Slater remains the starting left tackle and one of the offense's most important players. A healthy 2026 season would give Herbert the blind-side stability the Chargers badly missed when protection deteriorated last year.
Career Highlights
A former first-round pick and Pro Bowler, he is widely recognized as one of the premier left tackles in modern football, anchoring the blindside protection for franchise quarterback. A 2021 first-round pick, Slater earned Second-Team All-Pro, Pro Bowl and PFWA All-Rookie honors as a rookie and quickly established himself as one of the league's premier left tackles.
Personal Life
Slater was born in Sugar Land, Texas, and is the son of former NBA player Reggie Slater. His older brother, RJ Slater, played offensive line at the United States Air Force Academy. Growing up in a professional-sports family gave Rashawn an early view of the discipline and sacrifice required to compete at a high level.