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. @rdsl8r (Northwestern OT Rashawn Slater) best 40. Official 4.88. Impressive at 6'4, 304lbs. @nflnetwork @NUFBFamily 🏈 pic.twitter.com/ihKAYfu58r
— StaceyDales (@StaceyDales) March 9, 2021
The San Francisco 49ers could be in the market for an offensive tackle should Trent Williams leave via free agency. Williams is expected to command a contract valued at around $20 million annually, and Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated projects the 49ers to have about $28 million in cap space.
San Francisco traded for Williams last offseason, and the two sides would like to remain together. Financially, that could prove challenging, and we are about a week away from the start of free agency.
Williams was a fantastic fit for head coach Kyle Shanahan's offense in his one season with the team. The tackle has size, power, and speed. He proved to be one of the best offensive linemen in the league despite a year-long absence from the game.
Matt Barrows of The Athletic noted that Williams also had a 40-time of 4.88 seconds in 2010, as he prepared to enter the draft. The beat writer also noted that the 49ers were on hand for Slater's pro day, which was expected.
Trent Williams' 40 time in 2010: 4.88 seconds. ... Suffice to say, 49ers were on hand for Slater's pro day. https://t.co/npVi22BfUs
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) March 9, 2021
According to Cam Inman of Bay Area News Group, Slater admitted to speaking with the 49ers.
"I'd love to be in that kind of scheme," said Slater, per Inman. "It seems like an awesome organization the way they run things. That's a positive, for sure."
Slater also named Williams and retired 49ers tackle Joe Staley as two NFL tackles he's looked up to and patterns his game after. He called Williams a "freak athlete" and Staley a "master technician."
Among the #NFL tackles Northwestern's Rashawn Slater studied and admires are #49ers past 2 left tackles, Joe Staley ("extremely effective, master technician") and Trent Williams ("freak athlete, does awesome stuff with his hands"). Also digs #Cowboys Tyron Smith's angles.
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) March 9, 2021
In February, two high-profile mock drafts had San Francisco selecting Slater, who can play at both tackle spots or even at guard. The first came from Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Media.
"We'll see what happens with Trent Williams in free agency," wrote Jeremiah, "but even if the Niners are able to re-sign him, Slater could easily slide inside to guard."
"The 49ers could insert him immediately at right guard, a problem area in recent seasons, with an eye on him moving to tackle in the future," explained Barrows.
Slater opted out of the 2020 collegiate season after the Big Ten initially announced a postponement to its games. He later decided to forego the season and focus on the draft when the conference later reversed its decision.
Slater allowed zero sacks, one quarterback hit, and just four quarterback hurries during his 355 pass-blocking and 787 total snaps in 2019, per Pro Football Focus.
"I think I'm the best tackle in the draft," Slater added, "so I have a really high level of confidence about that. But I'm a team player. If someone wants to play me at guard, I'm all for it as long as it's best for the team."
