With the seventh pick in the 2021 NFL draft, the Detroit Lions select Penei Sewell, offensive tackle, Oregon.
Analysis: One of the hardest things for me to do in this pre-draft process was deciding who my OT1 was in this class. If I had gone with Northwestern’s Rashawn Slater, it would have been fine, and I think there are things Slater does better than Sewell. But Sewell ultimately rose to the top because I think he’s more technically evolved, and he’s able to do more things because of it. You don’t often describe offensive tackles as “creative,” but I’d use that word in Sewell’s case, because his athletic profile simply allows his team to implement concepts one wouldn’t dare to attempt with a more limited player — and most tackles are more limited than Sewell is already.
Grade: B. I love Sewell as much as any player in this class, but this is a really interesting decision for the Lions, as they are frightfully thin at receiver, and even in a deep class, that could be a problem for Jared Goff. New offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn loves to be creative in the run game, and Sewell can certainly help with that, but this pick does give one a second of pause.
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