This series was created in response to questions about why certain well-known prospects went unselected in NFL drafts. For these articles, I reach out to sources with NFL teams to find out why their organizations passed on drafting a given player, and/or, what were the reasons for other teams to pass on that prospect. The positive response to “Why Undrafted” and questions from readers about why prospects were drafted lower than the media expectations led us to create the parallel series “Why the Slide?”
Both series are back this year. Feel free to email me requests for Why the Slide? and Why Undrafted? at [email protected]. I can’t promise to get to all of them, but I will do my best and definitely will respond to the email.
With the Georgia Bulldogs winning their first National Championship since 1980, a lot of their draft prospects received profile bumps and extra media attention. As the program’s starting left tackle, Salyer received a lot of acclaim as well and some media hype. The consensus projection had Salyer going on the second day of the 2022 NFL Draft, so many were surprised when he slid to the sixth round.
Team sources told WalterFootball.com there were a few reasons why Salyer slid. One team source said the media had overinflated him and he was never viewed that high. Salyer played tackle for Georgia, but he is undersized for the next level, where is he viewed as a competitor at guard. An NFL director of player personnel said Salyer slide occurred because, “His height and length are issues. His workout numbers weren’t great, and his film was very up and down.”
The Los Angeles Chargers ended Salyer’s slide in the sixth round, which was a decent landing spot. On the plus side, the Chargers were in need of offensive line help and Salyer should be able to compete quickly given his experience in the SEC. However, their starting lineup is blocked by free agent addition Matt Feiler and first-round pick Zion Johnson. Salyer will have to make the team as a backup guard behind Johnson and Feiler, and he could be a solid backup, but he may be blocked from ever developing into a starter for Los Angeles.
2024 NFL Mock Draft - April 23
NFL Power Rankings - Feb. 22
Fantasy Football Rankings - Feb. 19
NFL Picks - Feb. 12
