Slater, O-line face big test in opener

COSTA MESA >> As the Chargers’ offensive line coach, Frank Smith was rooting for Rashawn Slater to be available at pick No. 13, but it seemed unrealistic for an offensive tackle who was that talented to be bypassed by 12 teams in the first round of this year’s draft.

After 10 picks were announced, Smith and the Chargers started believing in their chances of landing Slater, the top prospect from Northwestern.

“It was like, ‘Holy cow, this could work,’” Smith recalled about draft night. “When we got him, it was perfect. Honestly, we didn’t think he was going to be there and now he’s here. We’re so lucky every day because he’s exactly what we thought he would be.”

Slater was the final piece in the Chargers’ offseason plans to rebuild the offensive line. He was plugged at left tackle next to interior offensive linemen and free-agent acquisitions Corey Linsley, Matt Feiler and Oday Aboushi.

Expectations are high on the four newcomers, along with right tackle Bryan Bulaga, to protect franchise quarterback Justin Herbert and turn the Chargers into a playoff contender.

Herbert was sensational on third-and-long as a rookie last season and he wasn’t phased by the constant pressure he faced in the pocket. It made for nice highlight plays, but the

Chargers knew they were asking too much from their young signal caller.

Linsley, the prized center from Green Bay, was brought in to make life easier for Herbert with blocking and communication. Slater was drafted to protect Herbert’s blindside for many years to come.

Feiler and Aboushi were added to protect Herbert and to execute the Chargers’ outside zone running scheme after the ground game was inefficient last season.

But these are only expectations. There’s no telling how the new-look offensive line will fare until the games start.

The Chargers open the season Sunday against the Washington Football Team and its ferocious defensive line with four former firstround picks.

Edge rushers Chase Young and Montez Sweat and defensive tackles Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne have established chemistry, and they’re looking to prevent the Chargers’ offensive line from finding its own in the Week 1 matchup.

“True competitors always want the expectations high,” Smith said. “If you don’t, why get in the arena? Why go to the challenge?”

Slater had an impressive training camp and quickly showed why he was regarded as one of the best prospects in the draft. He displayed athleticism and strength, sought advice from the veteran offensive linemen and pushed star edge rusher Joey Bosa in practices.

Those traits are why Slater had success against Young in college and catapulted toward the top of most draft rankings. But Young isn’t the same player from Ohio State. He has a year of experience in the NFL and quickly established himself as a top edge rusher.

“He’s taken big steps since coming up to the NFL,” Slater said. “He’s a much more refined player than I saw in college. I’m excited to do that again. It’s really cool to be able to have that matchup — someone I’ve gone against — in my first game. I’m excited about it.”

“I’ve taken steps since then. I don’t really think about that past matchup as having any sort of factor in it. It’s all about protecting Justin, moving the ball. Whatever I can do to help us win.”

Slater said he’s at ease with making his NFL debut because of his battles with Bosa in training camp. The rookie pushed the premier edge rusher and earned his respect.

“We’ve had some great battles,” Bosa said. “He’s a really good player. He’s a good young player who is only going to keep getting better and he’s smart, quick, and has strong hands.”

There could be many reasons why Slater lasted until the 13th pick in the draft, but one could be because he doesn’t have the prototypical size for the left tackle position.

But Smith wasn’t concerned about Slater’s size because he remembers how successful Brad Hopkins was when he played for the Houston Oilers and Tennessee Titans from 1993 to 2005. Hopkins was undersized, but he made up for it with athleticism and strength.

Slater has those physical skills and adds to it with a mean streak.

“Some people might be confused because they see this nice guy who’s a very well thought out person who communicates well,” Smith said. “But inside, you see it. There’s this fire to be the best. And it doesn’t come out all the time, but when it does, you go, ‘Yup, there it is.’”

Slater has been as good as advertised, but the Chargers need Bulaga just as much as they do the rookie this season.

Bulaga was in and out of games last season because of injuries and repeated that pattern in training camp. But he’s off the injury report for the Chargers’ regular-season opener at FedExField.

The starting five with high expectations.

“We have a lot of anticipation coming for the first game,” Linsley said.