**Position:** OG
**College:** Sacramento State
**Height:** 6’3”
**Weight:** 311 lbs.
**Accolades:** First-Team All-American (2024), First-Team All-Big Sky (2022, 2023, 2024), Reese’s Senior Bowl Participant, NFL Combine Invitee
**Background:** A four-year starter on Sacramento State’s offensive line, Slater was part of some of the most successful Hornets teams in program history. As a freshman in 2021, he helped anchor a unit that paved the way for 4.6 yards per rush and allowed 18 sacks. On his career, Slater started 44 games and his team made the FCS playoffs three times. He did not allow a single sack as a senior in 2024 and was ranked as the fourth best guard in the entire FCS per PFF.
**Strengths:** The first thing that stands out about Slater is his tremendous athleticism. Despite weighing well over 300 pounds and standing at 6-foot-3, Slater can move with the best of them on the offensive front. He is able to quickly get into his assignments and position himself. His ability to get to the edge in a hurry to provide fast protection has proven valuable.
He is also very strong upon initial contact. Slater is strong enough to effectively knock defenders off-balance while blocking and uses his upper arms extremely well when uprooting his opposition. Seldom will a defender meet Slater and have the upper hand when they first clash.
Pro scouts have also lauded Slater’s cerebral side of the game as well. He is very knowledgeable in a variety of blocking assignments in both pass and run protection. He is able to effectively play several positions along the offensive line and knows when and how to fill into added roles when needed.
**Weaknesses:** One thing Slater will need to work on is improving his balance once he sets a block. Defenders are sometimes able to spin off of his blocks or cause him to falter after his hands become set. Development of his stance when sustaining his blocks will be important as he works his way into an NFL-caliber training routine and as he starts to see higher-quality defenders.
**Final Analysis:** Slater entered this offseason as a projected late round pick but strong performances at both the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine have caused his draft stock to rise greatly. He will bring a lot highly-sought after qualities with him to the pros including great versatility, size, strength and know-how as a blocker. He is good enough to get selected on Day 2 if the right fit is there and should see an NFL field as a starter sooner rather than later.
**Projected Selection:** 3rd Round (Day 2)