Chargers LT Rashawn Slater makes ‘outstanding’ debut vs. Washington

The numbers are in and they support the rave reviews Chargers left tackle Rashawn Slater received for his NFL debut.

Slater delivered a clean stat sheet Sunday against star edge rushers Chase Young, Montez Sweat and the rest of the Washington Football Team’s vaunted defensive line.

The rookie didn’t allow a sack, quarterback hit, pressure or hurry in 49 pass-blocking snaps during the Chargers’ 20-16 victory at FedExField.

“The guy that everybody was wondering about coming into the game is our rookie left tackle and he was outstanding in the game,” Chargers head coach Brandon Staley said Monday. “When you don’t talk about him a lot, that means he probably performed at a high level and that’s what the film told us.”

Slater’s number wasn’t mentioned on the field by officials, but he wasn’t forgotten on social media after many notable pundits praised the 2021 No. 13 overall pick.

“Rashawn Slater has been excellent today,” tweeted Joe Thomas, the former six-time first-team All-Pro left tackle for the Cleveland Browns. “He’s very smooth and fun to watch.”

Slater did more than protect Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert. He was also productive in run blocking and provided running lanes on the opening drive that ended with Austin Ekeler scoring on a 3-yard touchdown run.

“He’s got outstanding movement for the position and he could really unlock power from the ground,” Staley said about Slater’s run blocking skills. “He can create a lot of power from the ground and he’s got very strong hands. … He did a really good job in the first series of creating some rhythm and confidence for himself.”

Slater wasn’t the only Chargers offensive lineman to grade well. The offensive line allowed a pressure rate of 12%, the lowest in the NFL for Week 1, according to Pro Football Focus.

Left guard Matt Feiler, right guard Oday Aboushi and center Corey Linsley were efficient in their first game with the Chargers. The veterans signed with the team during free agency.

Right tackle Bryan Bulaga, the lone returning starter, was unable to finish the game because of a back injury and was replaced by Storm Norton. Staley said Bulaga’s status is day-to-day.

It was an impressive first game for the Chargers’ revamped offensive line with four newcomers.

WILLIAMS’ NEW ROLE

Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams was excited when offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi said he would play the “X” position in his scheme.

“The ball is going to find the X,” Williams recalled Monday on what Lombardi told him before the season. “I was like, ‘I appreciate you.’ It can’t happen at a better time. I’m excited for it. I’m looking for every opportunity. I’m ready for it.”

The “X” role is meant for physical wideouts to receive more targets in the intermediate game (throws of 10 to 20 yards).

Williams saw that high volume in the opening week with a career-high eight catches on 12 targets for 82 yards and one touchdown.

His longest reception versus Washington went for 20 yards, a crucial third-down completion that extended the Chargers’ final drive to ice the game. Williams’ 3-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter was the eventual game-winning score.

The 6-foot-4, 218-pound playmaker called the new role good timing because he views this Chargers team as a Super Bowl contender. But it also benefits him individually because he’s scheduled to become a free agent after the season.

“I feel like I can make plays with the ball in my hands,” Williams said. “It don’t always have to be 20, 30, 40 yards down the field. I can catch the intermediate and make plays also. That’s what we’re trying to do right now.”

AGGRESSIVE FINAL DRIVE

Staley said the team was aiming to be aggressive when they got the ball with 6:50 left in regulation and clinging to a four-point lead.

“To me, we were going to stay aggressive because we felt they may think we’re in four-minute mode,” Staley said. “They may be (thinking) we’re trying to run it a little bit, trying to burn some clock. That wasn’t going to be our approach. … We wanted to throw the football.”

Herbert connected with wide receiver Keenan Allen for an 18-yard completion in the middle of the field for the second play of the final drive, but Aboushi was called for an illegal use of hands penalty.

That backed up the Chargers and extended the drive. It worked out for Staley’s team with a rare seven-minute drill to end the game with the lead and the ball.