Former Northwestern standout Rashawn Slater has been ranked the No. 8 offensive tackle entering the 2026 NFL season by Pro Football Focus. The Chargers left tackle returns from injury looking to anchor one of the NFL's best offensive lines and continue his All-Pro-caliber career.
Former Northwestern standout Rashawn Slater continues to be recognized as one of the NFL's premier offensive linemen.
Dalton Wasserman and Max Chadwick of Pro Football Focus recently ranked Slater as the No. 8 offensive tackle entering the 2026 NFL season in PFF's annual preseason rankings. , highlighting the Los Angeles Chargers left tackle as one of the league's elite players when healthy.
The rankings praised Slater's consistency and pointed to his outstanding 2024 season, when he earned a career-best 90.9 PFF grade, the second-highest mark among all qualified NFL tackles.
The recognition comes after Slater missed the entire 2025 season because of a knee injury.
Despite the setback, expectations remain high for the former Wildcat as he returns to anchor the Chargers' offensive line alongside standout right tackle Joe Alt. If both players stay healthy, Los Angeles is expected to feature one of the NFL's strongest tackle combinations entering the new season.
Long before becoming an NFL star, Slater established himself as one of the greatest offensive linemen in Northwestern football history.
During his three seasons in Evanston, Slater developed into one of college football's most dominant pass protectors. His breakout came in 2019, when he earned First Team All-Big Ten honors after allowing just one sack all season while consistently shutting down some of the nation's top pass rushers.
Sep 30, 2017; Madison, WI, USA; Northwestern Wildcats offensive lineman Rashawn Slater (70) during the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY SportsHis performance against future No. 2 overall NFL Draft pick Chase Young remains one of the most memorable outings of his college career.
Slater opted out of the 2020 season before entering the NFL Draft, where the Chargers selected him with the 13th overall pick in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Slater wasted little time establishing himself as one of the NFL's top young offensive linemen
As a rookie, Slater started all 16 games, earned Second Team All-Pro honors and was selected to the Pro Bowl, quickly establishing himself as one of the league's best young offensive tackles.
Feb 5, 2022; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Los Angeles Chargers tackle Rashawn Slater during AFC practice at the Las Vegas Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY SportsSince entering the NFL, he has become a cornerstone of the Chargers' offensive line, consistently protecting the blind side while helping open running lanes in one of the league's most competitive divisions.
When healthy, Slater has consistently lived up to his first-round expectations.
His combination of athleticism, footwork and technique has made him one of the NFL's most reliable pass protectors, which is why PFF continues ranking him among the league's elite despite missing last season.
Now, the focus shifts toward a healthy return.
The Chargers enter the 2026 season expecting Slater to once again anchor their offensive line and provide stability for the offense. His return should significantly strengthen a unit that missed his presence throughout 2025 and could play a major role in Los Angeles' playoff aspirations.
For Northwestern, Slater's latest recognition is another reminder of the program's ability to develop NFL talent.
As one of the Wildcats' most accomplished professional players, Slater continues representing Northwestern at the highest level while proving why he remains one of the premier offensive tackles in football.
If Slater returns to the form that earned him All-Pro recognition, it would not be surprising to see him climb even higher in future rankings while once again establishing himself among the NFL's elite offensive tackles.
