In 2023, the fourth-year offensive tackle made a comeback by starting all 17 games after missing most of the prior year due to injury. Pro Football Focus rated Slater with an 84.7 pass-blocking grade, ranking him fourth among players with at least 500 snaps. This was the highest grade of Slater’s career. Slater’s strength lies in pass protection, which is crucial for quarterback Justin Herbert. Although he should work on improving his run game performance, Pete Prisco believes that this growth will be facilitated by Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh’s guidance.
Another player on the list of Top 100 was Khalil Mack, who was not included in the prior year’s ranking. Mack secured the 79th spot overall and ranked third among outside linebackers after a standout 17.0-sack season in his tenth year. During the 2023 season, Mack achieved numerous accolades, including tying the Chargers’ single-season sack record and reaching a career-high in sacks. Despite entering his 11th year, concerns about his age are starting to emerge, but he continues to be a force on defense.
Pete Prisco ranked Khalil Mack as eighth offensive tackle during the 2023 season, believing he has the potential to improve further under Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh’s coaching. Prisco highlighted Slater’s strength in pass protection as crucial for Herbert’s success and encouraged him to work on improving his run game performance under Harbaugh’s guidance
