3 NFL Draft targets for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2021

While Eagles fans might chalk this year’s poor offensive line play up to bad injury luck, the tackle spot is not a sure thing heading into 2021.

Former Pro Bowler Lane Johnson has struggled with serious lower leg injuries, former first-round pick Andre Dillard missed the entire 2020 season and will have started just four games in two seasons, and Jordan Mailata is more of a backup than a long-term solution at tackle.

While Oregon’s Penei Sewell will be long gone after one of the o-line need teams in the top five pounces, the Eagles are in a perfect position to draft the second-best offensive tackle, and Slater is leaving the likes of Texas’ Samuel Cosmi, North Dakota State’s Dillon Radunz, and Virginia Tech’s Christian Darrisaw in the dust.

While Slater isn’t a very explosive athlete or very quick in the hips, which caused problems for him whenever he played Chase Young in college, he might be the pound-for-pound strongest tackle in the 2020 class.

In both run and pass protection, Slater’s ability to completely uproot defensive players and handling more advanced defensive line stunts gives him a good chance at starting on his first day in the league. His experience at both right and left tackle will make him very attractive to a team like the Eagles.

Protecting a young quarterback like Hurts will be extremely important, and Slater could give them a 10-year starter on either side.