Back in the build-up to the 2021 NFL Draft, there was some real debate over who was the best offensive tackle prospect in the class. The primary candidates were Rashawn Slater from Northwestern and Penei Sewell from Oregon. Each had very promising prospect profiles but also just enough questions to instill some hesitancy.

Detroit selected Sewell with the No. 7 overall pick, while Slater went to the Chargers a few picks later at No. 13. Now entering their fifth NFL seasons, history has shown that there wasn’t really a wrong answer. Both have become among the very best at their positions already, proving they could overcome the “cons” section of their scouting reports. They’ve also been handsomely rewarded for their quick ascension to the top of the NFL offensive tackle pantheon.

Sewell, who plays right tackle in Detroit, signed a contract extension days before the 2024 NFL Draft that made him the highest-paid offensive lineman, with a four-year deal worth $112 million, $85 million guaranteed. Slater, the Chargers’ left tackle, topped Sewell this week, inking a four-year, $114 million contract with $92 million guaranteed.

For Slater, he overcame concerns about a lack of arm length and a style of play that didn’t showcase much power in the run game. There were no concerns about Sewell and his power or athletic prowess, but unrefined pass protection skills and an injury history for a 20-year-old dogged his evaluations. They all seem silly now, but those were strong sentiments back in the winter of 2021.

Here’s what I wrote about them at RealGM back in that draft buildup, where they were ranked right next to each other on the big board (I had Slater higher):

Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern. An opt-out, Slater showed outstanding footwork and hand/shoulder/hip coordination and movement skills in a very impressive 2019 for the Wildcats. Lacks length but makes up for it with outstanding hand punch placement and strength despite not being a power-based player.

Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon. Sewell dominated in 2018-2019 as a precocious young tackle with incredible athletic prowess. Moves like a linebacker playing tackle and has that aggressor mindset. He’s got an underappreciated injury history and isn’t nearly as technically sound in pass protection as others in this class, relying more heavily on out-athleting the guy he’s blocking. If he gets the technique down, he’s Orlando Pace 2.0. If not, he’s quietly one of the highest bust risks in this class. 

As evaluators, we always try to balance the high-end optimism with the negatives. Teams do this as well, blending in their desired traits–both physical and mental–and schematic fits as well. The Chargers deserve credit for sticking with Slater and his short arms at tackle. The Lions deserve credit for developing Sewell’s technique and asking him to play to his strengths, namely his physical strength. That might not have happened in other situations with either player.

The two young stars will watch from the sidelines when the Lions and Chargers meet in the Pro Football Hall of Fame game on Thursday night. If their career arcs continue, both could wind up in Canton for more than just a game in due time.